The scissor lift is one of the often used industrial vehicles, but not many people know that this versatile industrial platform has been around for nearly 50 years, and is still going strong. With our successful scissor lift rental business across South Africa, we are well placed to give you a quick rundown on the scissor lift’s background, and why it’s still so popular in industrial settings across the world.
A brief history
The scissor lift design was first patented in 1963 by Charles Larson in the United States. Production began a few years later, with the first market viable lifts coming out in the 1970s. Many improvements to the scissor lift’s materials and safety protocols have obviously been made since then, but the basic design has remained the same throughout the years.
This is probably due to the fact that the scissor lift is the only industrial platform that exclusively functions as a vertical lift, and also is one of the few that, when folded, can be stored safely in relatively small spaces. These features have allowed the scissor lift to also be used in retail and wholesale settings.
How does a scissor lift work?
The main feature of a scissor lift that makes it so unique is the fact that it doesn’t use a straight support to raise its platform. The platform is instead raised by drawing the folded supports underneath it together. As it extends, the scissor lift can be raised to various heights, depending on model and make, and is powered by hydraulics or electric motor, which means it can be used in almost any setting. Normally a scissor lift does not need any power when the platform has to be lowered, which makes it a very safe industrial vehicle choice, as workers can safely descend in the event of a power outage.
Scissor lifts today
The modern scissor lift maintains a presence in almost every part of the manufacturing and production industries, and is used from construction and assembly sites to retail and warehouse spaces. The latest models are able to travel safely across the smooth surfaces of warehouses and the more uneven terrains of construction sites.
If you want to find out more about whether a scissor lift is the right choice for you construction project, or want to know how you can hire one, contact Sterling Access today.
