How to Operate Electric Scissor Lift Like a Professional
Do not have enough money for one-day scissor lift training course? Want to learn how to operate an electric scissor lift, step by step? Do you want a reliable and complete source to guide you to the right procedures and instructions?
Then congratulations, you are in the right place. At the end of this article you will know the right procedures in order to operate an electric scissor lift, so make sure to fully understand the following words to remain in the safe zone. You can read this post more than once if you had to.
Some believe that the reason behind making some companies require documented training certificate before using the scissor lift is to keep you away from danger, others believe that they do not want to be a chance of 1% to accident or injury occurrence because the user can prosecute them asking for millions of dollars as compensate, which happened with others. But all agree that electric scissor lift is Not difficult to operate.
Operating an electric scissor lift is so easy like playing a toy car with remote control, the difference is that you are riding this little bit dangerous toy.
I chose to explain the model of Skyjack because it is one of the most common scissor lifts and
simplest to use for trainees.
Scissor lifts have two main parts in order to control and operate, Base Control and Platform Control. This post provides you the necessary information needed to operate the scissor lift. It is important that you carefully read and completely understand the operating steps and instructions.
Operating an electric scissor lift is so easy like playing a toy car with remote control, the difference is that you are riding this little bit dangerous toy.
I chose to explain the model of Skyjack because it is one of the most common scissor lifts and
simplest to use for trainees.
Scissor lifts have two main parts in order to control and operate, Base Control and Platform Control. This post provides you the necessary information needed to operate the scissor lift. It is important that you carefully read and completely understand the operating steps and instructions.
Main Power Disconnect Switch
Before we get into controls, you must recognize main power disconnect switch. This switch does not exist in all brands and models, but if it exists, you will find it at the base of your scissor lift. This switch, when in off position, disconnects power to all circuits. The switch must be in on position to operate any circuit. When transporting the scissor lift you should turn the switch off.
Base Control Console
This control console is located at the base of the scissor lift which contains the following controls:
1. (Lower-Neutral-Raise) Switch
This switch controls raising or lowering of the platform.2. (Off-Platform-Base) Key Switch
This three-way switch allows the operator to turn off power to the platform or to activate either platform or base controls3. Emergency Stop Button
This button, when depressed, disconnects power to the control circuit.Before operating, you must activate base control console by pulling out the emergency stop button from base control console and platform control console. Also, you have to turn main power disconnect switch to on position.
Raising and Lowering the Platform Using Base Control Console
To raise or lower the platform using base control console, select and hold (off-platform-base) key switch to the base position using your left hand. Then select and hold (lower-neutral-raise) switch to either raise or lower position using your right hand. Release switch to stop using. If you are a left-handed person you can use your hands in opposite way. And be careful, do not lower the platform unless the area is clear of personnel and obstructions.Platform Control Console
This removable control console is mounted at the right front of the platform. It contains the following controls:
1. (Lift-Drive-Steer) Enable Trigger Switch
This momentary switch energizes the controller. It must be held depressed continuously while engaging either the lift, drive or steer functions.Without activating enable trigger switch, try to activate any platform function and you will find that all platform functions will not operate.
2. (Lift-Drive-Steer) Controller joystick
This one-hand lever controls lift, drive and steer motions. Internal springs return it to neutral when the controller is released.3. (Lift-Off-Drive) Switch
Selecting off position disconnects power from both lift and drive circuits. Selecting lift position energizes the lift circuit. Selecting drive position energizes the drive circuit.4. Emergency Stop Button
This button, when depressed, disconnects power to the control circuit.Push in emergency stop button and try to activate any platform function, you will find that all selected platform function will not operate.
Before starting to operate your scissor lift, you need to activate platform control console by turning main power disconnect switch to on position, on the base control console, pulling out emergency stop button and selecting (off-platform-base) key switch to platform position.
Then use the ladder of the scissor lift to access platform, close the gate, and finally, pull out emergency stop button on platform control console.
Raising and Lowering Platform Using Platform Control Console
To raise or lower platform using platform control console, activate platform control console, select (lift-off-drive) switch to lift position, activate and hold enable trigger switch, then move controller joystick forward or backward until desired height is reached.
Push controller joystick forward then the platform should rise to desired height. Pull controller joystick backward then the platform should lower. Finally, return the controller to the neutral center position to stop and release enable trigger switch.
To prevent unintended movement of the scissor lift, you can push the emergency stop button after you have arrived at your desired location or height.
Be aware of overhead obstructions or other possible hazards around the scissor lift when lifting. Do not lower the platform unless the area below is clear of personnel and obstructions. Also, if the platform does not, or only partially raises, immediately lower the platform completely and ensure that the aerial platform is on a firm level surface.
Driving Forward and Backward
To drive forward or backward, make sure that the platform control console is activated, select (lift-off-drive) switch to drive position, activate and hold enable trigger switch, move controller joystick forward or backward to desired speed and direction of scissor lift travel.Slowly push controller joystick in the forward direction then the scissor lift will start moving slowly. Full forward push for controller joystick makes the scissor lift go with its full speed.
Slowly pull controller joystick in the backward direction then the scissor lift will start moving slowly in reverse direction. Full backward pull for controller joystick makes the scissor lift move with its full speed.
Finally, return the controller to the neutral center position to stop and release enable trigger switch.
Fast push or pull makes the scissor jerk like cars, so make sure to go slowly and smoothly.
Be aware of blind spots when driving the scissor lift and make sure that there are no personnel or obstructions in the path of driving, including blind spots. And remember to push the emergency stop button after arriving your desired location to protect against unintended movement of the scissor lift.
Steering the Wheels
To steer, make sure that the platform control console is activated, select (lift-off-drive) switch to drive position, activate and hold enable trigger switch, then press rocker switch on top of controller joystick in either direction to steer.
Press rocker switch on top of controller joystick to right and steer wheels will turn right. Press rocker switch on top of controller joystick to left and steer wheels will turn left.
Note that driving and steering may be active at the same time.
Note that (inclined drive (low speed-high torque)) is not available on all models.
Scissor lifts are to be operated from the operator’s position on the platform with the control box secured on the mounting bracket at the front right portion of the platform. You can operate the electric scissor lift from the ground when maintaining the lift or in limited circumstances like an obstruction precludes the operation of the lift from the operator’s position on the platform.
5. Horn Push Button
This push button sounds an automotive-type horn. Push the horn push button and the horn will sound.6. (Inclined Drive-Level Drive) Switch
This switch selects inclined drive (low speed-high torque) or level drive (high speed-low torque). Which has its own (How to) post.Note that (inclined drive (low speed-high torque)) is not available on all models.
Scissor lifts are to be operated from the operator’s position on the platform with the control box secured on the mounting bracket at the front right portion of the platform. You can operate the electric scissor lift from the ground when maintaining the lift or in limited circumstances like an obstruction precludes the operation of the lift from the operator’s position on the platform.
Moving the scissor lift through a doorway
Before starting to operate, perform a thorough job site inspection to operate the scissor lift and identify potential hazards in your work area. Also, make sure that this is no one in the intended path of travel. If there is, notify those around the pathway that you will be moving the scissor lift.
To move the scissor lift through a doorway you need to confirm that the height and width of the doorway are sufficient to allow the scissor lift to pass through, then position the scissor lift to allow future motion through the doorway, to be in a forward direction.
Disconnect and remove platform control console from the platform, connect it to its connection at the base and ensure that platform control console is properly oriented in the direction the aerial platform is facing.
On base control console, pull out emergency stop button, select (base-off-platform) key switch to platform position. On platform control console, pull out emergency stop button, select (lift-off-drive) switch to drive position. And beware of driving the scissor lift toward yourself. Using as low speed as possible with your position behind the scissor lift, drive forward through the doorway.
After reaching the desired location, disconnect platform control console and return it to the platform. And Note that this operation is more suitable for level ground.
Fold the guardrails if necessary. After finishing, return guardrails to the upright position and check the guardrail system for loose or missing locking pins. The guardrail system must be upright and all pins must be locked in place. Death or serious injury could result if the guardrail system is not upright or properly locked.
Once the platform control console is securely reconnected and guardrails up, normal operation may continue.
Before starting to operate, perform a thorough job site inspection to operate the scissor lift and identify potential hazards in your work area. Also, make sure that this is no one in the intended path of travel. If there is, notify those around the pathway that you will be moving the scissor lift.
Moving the Scissor Lift Through a Doorway
To move the scissor lift through a doorway you need to confirm that the height and width of the doorway are sufficient to allow the scissor lift to pass through, then position the scissor lift to allow future motion through the doorway, to be in a forward direction.
Disconnect and remove platform control console from the platform, connect it to its connection at the base and ensure that platform control console is properly oriented in the direction the aerial platform is facing.
On base control console, pull out emergency stop button, select (base-off-platform) key switch to platform position. On platform control console, pull out emergency stop button, select (lift-off-drive) switch to drive position. And beware of driving the scissor lift toward yourself. Using as low speed as possible with your position behind the scissor lift, drive forward through the doorway.
After reaching the desired location, disconnect platform control console and return it to the platform. And Note that this operation is more suitable for level ground.
Fold the guardrails if necessary. After finishing, return guardrails to the upright position and check the guardrail system for loose or missing locking pins. The guardrail system must be upright and all pins must be locked in place. Death or serious injury could result if the guardrail system is not upright or properly locked.
Once the platform control console is securely reconnected and guardrails up, normal operation may continue.
Guardrail Folding
This system, when folded down, reduces the height of the platform of the scissor lift for transporting and traveling through doorways.Be careful, any lowered guardrail will create a fall hazard so, be careful of the side of the platform guardrails to avoid falling.
Guardrail Locking Pin with Lanyard
This pin is used to lock the guardrail in place. The scissor assembly must be fully lowered before raising or lowering the guardrails. Before operating your scissor lift, check the guardrail system for loose or missing locking pins.Folding the Guardrail System Down
To fold the guardrail system down, ensure that the scissor lift is on level ground, the emergency stop button is depressed and extension platform is fully retracted.Use the ladder of the scissor lift to access platform, close the gate, remove the platform control console and lay it down on the platform.
Remove left and right side pins, Remove remaining pins from all sides and carefully fold all guardrails.
Ensure that you maintain three points of contact when using the ladder to mount/ dismount platform.
Raising the Guardrail System Up
To raise the guardrail system up, ensure that the scissor lift is on level ground, the emergency stop button is depressed and extension platform is fully retracted.Remove locking pin from mounting post and carefully raise extension guardrail up and lock into place with locking pins ensuring that the detent ball of each pin is all the way through then Mount the platform control console at the front right of the platform.
Loading and Unloading
Be sure vehicle capacity and loading equipment hoists, chains, straps, etc., are sufficient to withstand the maximum weight of the platform. It is important to remember that the load should be evenly distributed on the platform. The load should be placed near the center of the platform as possible as you can.Extending and Retracting Extension Platform
To extend extension platform, remove locking pins and push extension platform using the push bar or sliding handrails.To retract manual extension platform, remove locking pins and pull extension platform.
Upon extension or retraction, reinsert locking pins to prevent accidental movement of extension platform during travel or transport. And Note that it is not recommended to retract extension platform from the ground.
Shutting down
Completely lower the platform, on platform control console, push in emergency stop button, use the ladder to dismount from the platform, on the base control console, select (off-platform-base) key switch to off position and remove the key. And turn main power disconnect switch to off position if equipped. And ensure that you maintain three points of contact when using the ladder to mount or dismount platform.
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