Scissor Lift Inspection & Certification
Full engineering inspection and certification of electric and diesel scissor lifts, covering the scissor stack, drive base, hydraulics and platform.
Scissor lifts are vertical-rise elevating work platforms that use a folding linked-brace mechanism, the scissor stack, to raise a large platform straight up. Their generous deck area and simple vertical travel make them the default choice for indoor fit-out, warehousing and maintenance, but the scissor stack carries very high loads and demands careful structural inspection. This page sets out what our engineers assess and the standards that apply.
The scissor stack is the structural heart of the machine
Every kilogram on the platform, plus the wind and dynamic loads generated in use, is carried through the pinned arms of the scissor stack. Those pins and bushes wear, and the arms themselves can crack at weld connections near the pivot points. Because the whole stack folds and unfolds thousands of times over a machine's life, fatigue is the dominant failure mode, so measuring pin clearances and inspecting weld toes is central to any scissor lift inspection.
We also check the pin retention hardware. A migrating or missing retaining device can allow a pin to walk out under load, which is one of the more serious defects we look for on these machines.
Hydraulics and safe descent
Scissor lifts rely on one or more hydraulic cylinders to raise the stack, and on velocity fuses and holding valves to prevent an uncontrolled drop if a hose fails. We pressure-test the system, check for cylinder drift that would indicate a leaking seal, and confirm that the emergency lowering valve brings the platform down in a controlled manner.
On electric units the battery condition and charger are checked, and on diesel rough-terrain units the engine, exhaust and drive system are assessed, since a failure here can strand an elevated platform.
Platform, edge protection and ground stability
The large deck that makes scissor lifts so useful also demands robust edge protection. We inspect the guardrails, gates, toe boards and the sliding extension deck, confirming that the deck locks positively and that gates cannot be left open in a way that defeats the fall protection.
Ground stability devices are equally important. Pothole protection bars, tilt sensors and level cut-outs stop the machine from elevating on a slope or driving into a depression while raised. We verify each of these operates at the correct threshold.
Electrical testing for battery-electric units
Electric scissor lifts carry chargers and, on some models, mains-powered tools at the platform. Where portable electrical equipment or the charging circuit is present, testing in line with AS/NZS 3760 confirms the equipment is electrically safe. This is a natural companion to the mechanical inspection for machines used indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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