Successful scissor lifts
October 1st 2011 Edmolift md Darren Papani has been in the scissor lift platform industry for over 20
years.Here are his top five considerations for a successful loading bay lift platform
installation.
The flexibility and adaptability of a scissor lift platform
has ensured that over the last decade these robust
products have been established as a loading bay
essential. Many suppliers produce scissor lifts specifically for
use in this specialist environment and utilise years of expert
knowledge in the process.
The loading bay lift platform is often the primary means of
goods transfer between vehicle and dock.Without a reliable,
efficient lift platform the warehouse can be at a near
standstill, so it is vital that the lift installed is absolutely right
for the job. I would consider five factors to be particularly
important in ensuring the job is carried out correctly.
1Safety From the very first time a supplier makes a site
inspection the product risk assessment should be at the
forefront of the specifying process. The machinery directive
dictates that this must be completed. Ensure your supplier
considers vehicle movement and load type. They must review
the process from yard level as well as dock level but also from
the view of the vehicle driver, lift operator and possibly also
the forklift or pallet truck operator. Fully understanding the
operational environment is essential.
2Specification When determining your specification the
obvious questions should be raised such as height, load
capacity and platform size. But other less obvious
considerations are load distribution, stability of loads,
trapping hazards, raised height safety, control location,
bridging and barrier methods.
If any one of these is not ideally suited to your application
then the success of the project will be seriously compromised.
A good supplier, such as a member of ALEM (Association of
Lifting and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers), will assist
with all of these issues.
3Goods/load type Understanding the types of load to be
moved is very important.Whether it is pallets, roll cages,
or loose loads etc. They all present their own challenges that
must be understood and tackled. An example of this might be
a city centre grocery retailer taking deliveries in the early
hours. They must respect their residential neighbours and as
such must try to dampen the noise of hard rimmed castors to
reduce noise levels. A non-slip grit finish is therefore
preferential to a rough tread plate platform finish that will
rattle roll cages and impact on noise levels.
4Vehicles While a scissor lift with its extended lift stroke
can accommodate most vehicle heights it is also
important to understand other areas of vehicle design. The
lift's bridge plate must extend beyond the rear buffers or
dumper. Can the driver see the lift and off load position? Are
reversing and positioning aids required? Is the lift operator
safe during this process?
5Operating environment and business culture Your lift
specifier must spend time listening to exactly what the lift
is required to do but also understand the client's procedures,
methods of working and the entire operating environment.
Only when these areas are fully understood and appropriate
actions implemented can you be confident your loading bay
lift is as safe, efficient and
effective as possible. More articles from Edmolift UK Limited: | 
