How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
The length of a scissor jack lift is proportional to the support weight of the scissors as well as the integrity of the steel cross sections over the length. The scissor structures length and weight are corollaries, meaning that the former determines the latter for scissor jack stability. An extreme instance of this to illustrate the point will be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam that is practically weightless. It certainly would not be able to support at much of a height and could not support a lot at all.
In order to calculate scissor lift length, determine how high in the air you have to support a platform that would support of the weight of the occupants and objects on the platform along with the weight of the platform.
The number of cross-sections of scissor folding supports sections which would be necessary to be extended at their full extension in order to reach the required height within the weight support parameters. Finally, you would never want to ascend some workers up on a platform with their supplies which is on a platform supported by any type of structure which is not stable because clearly any machinery which is susceptible to tipping will really put people in a very dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of each and every scissor cross-section. This is very important to determining the weight and length of the scissor lift you would require along with the overall stability of the machine. When entirely extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the ground or horizontal level.