The backbone of the aerial work platform (AWP) industry is scissor lift because scissor lift is essential for constructions, facilities maintenance and warehousing. Although their structure is vary according to safety, smooth lifting, functions and depends only on Hydraulic power system. This guide helps you to understand major types of scissor lift and the requirements of hydraulic performance.
Types of scissor lift
Scissor lift have five broad categories. Every scissor lift design vary from model to model but hydraulic system is the main component in the lift reliability over the years of daily use.
Electric Self-Propelled Scissor Lifts (best for indoor use)
Electric self-propelled scissor lift is most common among indoor construction projects, distribution Centres, warehouse and retail facilities. Electric Self-Propelled are designed in work efficiently on tile floors, flat or concrete surfaces.
- Working heights range from 6m to 10m (usually 20f-60f)
- Weight capacities are between 230kg to 450kg depending on the model
- If machine is fully charged then typically delivers non-stop 8hour shift before needing a recharge.
Connection of Hydraulic System: Electric lift requires a high efficiency, silent and compact hydraulic power pack that can easily fit into tight chassis. The smooth proportional valve control the matter which is very important and platform position itself accurately indoors without jerking and shaking anything.
For aerial work platforms, the basket leveling system is crucial, and Hydraflu has extensive experience in this area, including hydraulic solutions and sensor-based control systems.
Hydraulic Power fixed Scissor Lifts (Heavy Load Handling in Fixed Settings)
Hydraulic power pack for scissor lift works efficiently for stationary projects which are most common in production lines, material handling stations in factories and loading docks. Such a scissor lift installed in mounted flush to the floor or set into shallow pit. Qualities are:
- Weight capacities are 1000kg or more where efficient access is needed at the certain spot all the day.
- Works in combination with lines of automated assembly, conveyor units and warehouse without problems.
- Lift weight up to 2m to 6m (7 feet to 20feet) height.
The movement of the aerial work platform is also hydraulically driven; its four wheels are powered by hydraulic motors, and the steering of the articulating boom platform’s turntable is also hydraulically driven.
Here is the hydraulic layout of an articulating boom lift
Hydraulic Solutions for Travel Functions
- Maximum flow rate: 130 L/min; integrated braking and two-speed control.
- A flow-divider/combiner valve is used to evenly distribute flow to the four travel motors, ensuring straight-line travel;At the same time, differential compensation and forced makeup oil measures are implemented during left-right and front-rear flow distribution to prevent motor damage.
- An integrated flush valve facilitates heat exchange between the closed-loop system and the outside environment.
Hydraulic System for Outriggers and Steering Control
- Maximum flow rate: 40 L/min; constant pressure control is used for the undercarriage;
- Four proportional valves provide closed-loop control of the steering;
- The outrigger extension and retraction mechanisms operate synchronously, and the hydraulic systems are configured in parallel.
To ensure that the hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts smoothly, a balancing valve must be installed, a burst valve must be added to the hydraulic port, and limit switches must be installed to prevent buffering.
Diesel-Powered Scissor Lifts (Outdoor and High-Demand Jobsites)
Diesel-Powered scissor lift delivers efficient power in an oilfield, on a bridge-projects or in a large open industrial faculty and on a constructions site. Workers can work all the day by refuel in a minute.
Qualities are:
- This scissor lift designed for rough and uneven terrain outdoor use
- To guide hurdles with ease this scissor lift offers higher ground clearance and greater lift heights.
- Requires enough ventilation to exhaust emissions
- Lift weight up to 20m(65feet)
Hydraulic links: diesel powered scissor lift needs high duty hydraulic durable seal kits and hydraulic manifold designed to work prolonged operations in high temperature outdoor environments. A hydraulic multiplex that unifies many valve functions into a solo compact block that minimizes the number of fittings and hoses.
Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts — Uneven Ground and Construction Sites
Rough terrain scissor lift is designed specially to handle muddy terrain, unpaved roads, sloped grounds and gravel surfaces.
- Designed for building construction sites, oilfield projects, infrastructure projects and agricultural settings.
- They are available in both electric all-terrain configurations and diesel-powered scissor lift.
- Lift weight up to 18m (59 feet) height.
Hydraulic Links: Rough Terrain scissor lift needs high flow hydraulics and large pressure to run the scissor mechanism. For this reason, strong hydraulic valves and gear pumps bears the extremes of vibration and temperature.
Pneumatic Scissor Lifts — Air-Powered for Sensitive Environments
There is compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid in a pneumatic scissor lift to power the lifting mechanism. giving us the benefit in cleanroom facilities, pharmaceutical laboratories and hospitals (where contamination is possible), and food processing plants.
- Produce no emissions, have a low fire risk associated with hydraulic fluid and are quieter than diesel models.
- Maximum height up to 12m (39feet)
Pneumatic models simply can’t match the capacity of lifting and fine control that a perfect hydraulic scissor lift delivers. Hydraulic solutions remain the stronger buy for outdoor contamination sensitive industries.
Compact and Mini Scissor Lifts (Tight Spaces and Low Ceilings)
Mini and compact scissor lift designed specifically for the environment where other simple machines cannot fit. They have retail stores during office building and renovations with minimal clearance. They have a small footprints and modern compact scissor lifts.
- Delivers a working height up to 8m (26feet), have sufficient platform capacity for one or two operator tools.
- Electric power battery keeps them clean and quiet enough for indoor sensitive use.
Selection Guide: How to Match the Lift to the Mission?
Below is the checklist you can drop directly into a B2B guide.
| Factor | What to Check? | Why does It Matters? | Hydraulic / HPU Implication |
| Weight capacity | Ensure the maximum rated load | Prevents from tipping, premature wear and overload | Heavier loads need larger-bore cylinders and higher-pressure HPUs |
| Duty cycle | Ensure the working of Hours/day & lift cycles/hour | Difference b/w use of production and light maintenance | High duty cycles call for larger reservoirs and better cooling |
| Power source | Make sure the Availability of AC, DC battery, or engine drive power | Continuous availability without temporary power solutions | AC: fixed sites. DC: indoor and quiet engine: remote and high-demand |
| Workplace environment | Make sure does it works for construction site, outdoor yard Warehouse, plant floor, | Integrates a plan with real conditions of operating | Indoor: clean with no noise outdoor: dust, rain and temperature swings |
Why hydraulic system (The Heart of the Machine) break or cause a scissor lift failure?
Hydraulic issues are caused by 90% of the scissor lift. Hydraulic is a solenoid valve that’s started sticking a cylinder that’s quietly bypassing fluid, an oil leak or a hydraulic power unit (HPU) which burns out.
A premium hydraulic system tends to come to three things.
- Precise cartridge valves that stop the platform from drifting and keeps the micro movements smooth.
- O-rings and high-standard seals keep the oil in its place where a real liability concerns.
- Fewer fittings and hoses with fully integrated manifolds mean there are less leak points.
Are you a Distributor, Fleet maintenance manager or an AWP manufacturer?
Hydraflu Hydraulic excels in producing HPU, maniplex, and systems that are customized to meet the strict specifications of scissor lifts. Our team is here to guide you with any demands, whether its OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for reliable replacement of hydraulic power units (HPUs). You can check our DC hydraulic power units and hydraulic manifold blocks to check how our parts are built to compete the requirements.
Contact our Hydraulic Experts today: feel free to contact our hydraulic technical consultation at +86 13651726370
Conclusion:
Understanding the different types of scissor lift helps buyers to select the right equipment for their jobs. Whether you need a diesel or rough terrain scissor for outdoor projects or a compact lift for tight spaces, or an electric scissor lift for indoor work, choose the correct model to improves the efficiency, productivity and safety. Before renting or buying, ensure the best performance for your applications check the platform capacity, terrain compatibility, safety features, power source and working height.
FAQs
What happens when I put a scissor lift drop under load?
If your scissor lift drops or gradually sinks under the load means there is a hydraulic issue not a structural one. The most common issue is a solenoid valve that doesn’t engage or check valve or a relief valve that has holding pressure. You can prevent by inspecting valves and seals regularly that are designed for heavy load services.
How I can distinguish hydraulic scissor lift and an electric scissor lift?
Hydraulic scissor lift operates with the help of AC power pack which is designed for heavy loads. while the electric scissor lift are ideal for the interior floor. This is ideal because it produces no emissions and are operates by the batteries that supply into a small DC power pack. The main difference lies in the mobility, capacity of maximum load, and power supply, but both are use for lifting.
How to pick the right hydraulic power pack for my scissor lift?
The hydraulic power pack should be precisely matched with the battery voltage or the power source. The majority of electric scissors work efficiently on 24V DC system. Ensure the power pack’s pressure meets your load requirements and confirm the flow rate of the pumps. This controls how precisely and efficiently the platform raises and lowers. You can also check the specifications directly by looking at our power pack inventory.
