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