Industrial lifts have traditionally been utilized in manufacturing and production environments to help lift and lower supplies, workers, and merchandise. The scissor lift, also known as a table lift, is an industrial lift which has been modified for retail and wholesale environments.
Nearly all consumers who have been shopping in a store late at night have probably seen a scissor lift, even if they do not realize they have. Essentially, the scissor lift is a platform with wheels that acts similar to a forklift. In a non-industrial type of environment, the scissor lift is perfect for completing tasks which require the speed or mobility and moving of people and supplies above ground level.
The scissor lift is unique, able to raise employees straight up into the air. Instead, the scissor lift platform rises when the linked and folding supports under it draw together, making the machine stretch upward. Once the machinery is extended, the scissor lift reaches about from 6.4 to 18.8 meters or 21 to 62 feet above ground. This depends on the size of the unit and the purpose.
The rough terrain scissor lifts can either be powered by an electric motor or by hydraulics, however, it can be a bumpy ride for the employee inside the lift going to the top. The scissor lift design keeps it from traveling with a constant velocity, rather than traveling slower with more extension or traveling faster during the middle of its journey.
An extremely popular class of scissor lift is the RT or Rough Terrain class. Typical features of the RT models comprise increased power because of the IC or internal combustion engine. The variations come in gas, petrol, combinations or diesel. This is required to deal with the increased weights and steeper grades of 18 to 22 degrees that are normally associated with this style of scissor lift.