Discover the Power of Scissor Lift Trailers: Easy Transport of Heavy Machinery from Site to Site
The handling of heavy materials in construction and pallet racking applications, such as warehouses, requires heavy-duty equipment. While the first piece of lifting equipment that comes in mid for this task to most people are cranes, it is safe to say that they are not the most adequate solution. Instead, many industries use scissor lifts, since they are much more versatile and can be moved easily from one point to another.
This is especially important if you have a big storage facility and want to use one type of machinery at different locations without the need to make up for it in numbers. Scissor lifts can be extremely useful even when it comes to using one at different sites. While renting a trailer to transport them is something you’d consider it isn’t as cost-effective as getting a scissor lift cargo trailer.
What is a Scissor Lift Trailer?
Although every trailer is essentially the same some offer unique functions that are suitable for the transit of certain equipment and loads. In the case of scissor lift trailers, this is the platform. The platform of a scissor lift trailer can elevate and go down to provide an easy way to load the machinery. Some come with a door that acts as a ramp when put down on the ground. Unlike an enclosed trailer, a scissor lift trailer doesn’t have a roof or sidewalls which is what allows them to tow machinery such as scissor lifts.
Just like any machinery, scissor lifts have their advantages with the most prominent ones being safety and productivity. Thanks to the rails on the platform that scissor lifts move up and down workers can stand on it without worrying about their safety. Since they can easily be moved from one place to another, especially with the help of a trailer, scissor lifts make for highly productive machinery.
How to Tow a Scissor Lift
Preparation
Since you can put scissor lifts on a trailer and move them from one place to another, it’s important to know how to do so safely. This starts even before you’ve loaded the scissor lift. In the preparation stage, you need to ensure that the wheels of the towing vehicle are chocked and tyre pressure is at an adequate level. You should also fill the vehicle with enough petrol, if needed and put a nose jack under the front of the trailer. The nose jack will prevent the trailer from tipping over when loading the scissor lift on it.
Loading
Talking about loading a scissor lift on a trailer, the first thing you need to do is put down the ramp(s) or lower down the platform of the trailer. With that done, slowly drive the scissor lift up the ramp(s)/ platform until you have it touching the bar found at the front section of the trailer.
Secure
- With the scissor lift in place, secure it using straps and chains. Do this with four anchors with one at each corner of the scissor lift. You should also chock the scissor lift. Do this by making sure you have the scissor lift centre from side to side with wooden blocks placed behind each wheel.
- The blocks should be secured by putting 10 cm screws so that they are firmly pressed against the wheels. Make sure to turn off the fuel apply of the scissor lift and disconnect its battery terminals too. Just remember to connect the terminals and open up the fuel supply once you get to your destination.
Driving
- When towing a scissor lift you should always be aware of its size as well as its weight. When driving you should always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, this means leaving more space than usual as your braking and the braking of the person in front of you is not going to be the same. You have a heavy load at the back so sudden movement is not recommended.
- You’ll want to predict traffic when towing a scissor lift. Therefore you should brake a lot earlier than you normally would and you should accelerate and decelerate slower too. You should drive below the speed limit to prevent the scissor lift and trailer from swaying which can be quite dangerous especially on rainy days.
- You should also consider installing towing mirrors so that it’s easier for you to navigate through tight spaces as towing mirrors give you a wider field of view. Ensure that your ride is as smooth as possible unless you’re not driving on a bumpy road, as this way you will ensure you have a safe trip.
Unloading
Once you arrive at your destination unloading the trailer is going to start by putting the ramp or platform down on the ground. You should then remove the straps and/ or chains. As we mentioned before don’t forget to turn on the fuel supply and connect the battery terminals of the scissor lift. Then continue by removing the wooden blocks from the wheels. Once you’ve done all that just get in the scissor lift and then carefully drive back down the ramp/platform and you’re done.