If you’ve ever walked through a warehouse, manufacturing plant, or construction site and seen workers reaching for high shelves, fixing overhead machinery, or tidying areas that are too high to reach safely without scaffolding or ladders, there’s a good chance an auxiliary scissor lift is what they’re using. As a supplier of these lifts, I get questions all the time from first-time buyers: how does the installation process actually work? It’s not just pulling a machine out of a box and plugging it in—there are steps to make sure the lift is safe, compliant with local regulations, and ready to use for years without issues. Over the 12 years I’ve been in this business, I’ve walked through this process with hundreds of clients, from small mom-and-pop workshops to large distribution centers, and I’ve learned that skipping even one step can lead to headaches down the line. Let me break down exactly what goes into installing an auxiliary scissor lift, from pre-installation prep to post-setup testing. Auxiliary Scissor Lift
First, let’s clarify what an auxiliary scissor lift is, just to make sure we’re all on the same page. Unlike full-size, heavy-duty scissor lifts that are permanently mounted to concrete floors in big facilities, auxiliary lifts are smaller, lighter, and designed for temporary or semi-permanent use. They’re often used for tasks like changing light fixtures in a retail store, maintaining inventory in a parts warehouse, or fixing HVAC systems in a commercial building. They run on either electric or hydraulic power, and they’re built to be moved easily between job sites, which means their installation process is a bit different from permanent equipment. That’s why a lot of first-time clients assume it’s straightforward, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
The first step in the process is pre-installation assessment, and this is non-negotiable. I always tell my clients that rushing this step is where most mistakes happen. Before we even look at the lift, we need to evaluate the space where it will be used, and that starts with checking the floor or surface it will sit on. Auxiliary scissor lifts are heavy—even a smaller model can weigh 1,500 pounds, so the surface needs to be able to support that weight. If it’s a wooden floor, we have to make sure it’s reinforced enough; if it’s a concrete floor, we need to check for cracks or unevenness. I once worked with a client who installed his lift on a cracked concrete slab without reinforcing it, and within six months, the base of the lift started to warp, which threw off the hydraulic lines. That cost him thousands in repairs, and he had to pause his operations for a week. Don’t let that be you.
Next, we measure the ceiling height and the total work height the lift needs to reach. A lot of people pick a lift based on the maximum height listed in the product specs, but they forget that the height of the lift’s platform plus the height of the worker will be the total reach. For example, if a lift has a 10-foot platform height, a 6-foot worker will be able to reach about 16 feet. We also need to make sure there’s enough overhead clearance—no pipes, beams, or light fixtures that are too low to allow the lift to fully extend. I always tell clients to mark the maximum reach point in their space before we even order the lift, so we don’t end up with a model that’s too tall for their building.
Another big part of pre-installation assessment is checking power access. Most auxiliary scissor lifts are electric, so they need a reliable power source—either a 110V outlet or a dedicated circuit. If a client doesn’t have a nearby outlet, we can arrange for an electrician to install one, but that’s something we have to account for in the timeline. We also check for level ground—scissor lifts are designed to work on flat surfaces, and if they’re sitting on even a slight incline, the safety sensors will trigger, and the lift won’t extend fully. I once had a client who tried to use his lift on a sloped loading dock, and the lift shut down mid-operation, trapping two workers 12 feet in the air. It was a scary situation, and it could have been avoided with a quick level check.
Once the pre-installation assessment is done and all the checks pass, the next step is delivery and placement. Auxiliary scissor lifts are compact, but they’re still heavy, so we use a forklift or a flatbed truck with a lift gate to deliver them. When we bring the lift to the site, we never just leave it sitting anywhere—we work with the client to position it exactly where it will be used, not where the delivery truck can fit. Moving the lift after it’s installed is risky, because you could damage the hydraulic lines or the base, so we take extra care to place it correctly the first time. We also make sure to set down the lift on its four base legs, not just the main body, because the legs distribute the weight evenly. Some clients try to skip extending the legs to save time, but that’s a huge safety hazard. If the lift is sitting on just the main body and not the legs, it can tip over if the worker leans too far to one side.
After placement, the next step is assembling the scissor mechanism and platform. Most auxiliary lifts come partially disassembled for easy shipping, but even if they’re pre-assembled, we still have to check all the connections. We start by attaching the platform rails, making sure all the bolts are tight—loose bolts are another common cause of accidents. Then we connect the hydraulic lines (for hydraulic models) or the wiring harness (for electric models). This is where having a trained technician is important—we don’t recommend trying to assemble a scissor lift on your own, because one wrong connection can lead to a fluid leak or an electrical short. I’ve seen a client who tried to save money by assembling his lift himself, and he connected the hydraulic lines backwards, which caused the lift to lower suddenly while he was working. Luckily, no one was hurt, but his lift was damaged beyond repair, and he had to buy a new one from us anyway.
Once the mechanical and electrical connections are done, we move on to safety system checks. This is the most critical part of installation, because the safety features are what prevent accidents. First, we test the emergency stop button—every auxiliary scissor lift has one, usually on the platform and the control panel at the base, and we make sure both work. We test the tilt sensor, which is designed to shut off the lift if it’s sitting on an uneven surface, to make sure it triggers correctly. We also test the limit switch, which stops the lift from extending beyond its maximum height, so it doesn’t crash into overhead structures. For hydraulic lifts, we check for fluid leaks, and we top off the reservoir if needed. For electric lifts, we test the battery life—some lifts use rechargeable batteries, so we make sure they’re fully charged before the client uses them.
After all the safety checks are done, we do a test run. We usually do three test runs: empty, with a medium load, and with the maximum load the lift is rated for. For most auxiliary scissor lifts, the maximum load is between 500 and 1,000 pounds, which includes the weight of the worker and any tools they’re carrying. During the test runs, we check for any unusual noises, like grinding or hissing, which can indicate a problem with the scissor mechanism or hydraulic lines. We also make sure the lift moves smoothly up and down, and that the emergency stop works every time. Once the test runs are successful, we walk the client through how to use the lift safely, including how to extend and retract the legs, how to operate the controls, and what to do in case of an emergency.
Wait, I should also mention that there’s a legal side to this. In most countries, auxiliary scissor lifts have to comply with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards in the U.S., or similar regulatory bodies in other regions. That means after installation, we provide a certificate of compliance, which the client has to keep on file. We also offer training for the workers who will be using the lift, because even the safest lift can be dangerous if the operator doesn’t know how to use it. I always tell clients that buying a lift is only half the battle—training your team to use it correctly is just as important.
Let me also address a common misconception: auxiliary scissor lifts are meant to be temporary, but they can be used semi-permanently if installed correctly. A lot of clients ask if they can leave their lift up for months at a time, and the answer is yes, as long as it’s installed on a stable surface, all safety systems are checked regularly, and the area around the lift is clear of clutter. We recommend doing a monthly inspection of the lift, checking the bolts, the hydraulic lines, and the safety sensors, to make sure everything is still in good working order.
Now, I know some small business owners might look at this process and think it’s too complicated, especially if they’ve never used a scissor lift before. That’s why we don’t just sell the lift and disappear—we offer full installation services, either in-person or virtual, depending on the client’s needs. For clients who are comfortable with basic tools, we provide a step-by-step installation guide, but we always recommend having a trained technician oversee the process, to make sure nothing is missed.
At the end of the day, the installation process for an auxiliary scissor lift is all about safety and preparation. Skipping a step might save you time in the short term, but it can lead to serious accidents, costly repairs, and downtime for your business. I’ve been in this industry long enough to see the difference between a lift that’s installed correctly and one that’s not, and I can tell you that the clients who take the time to do it right end up saving money and avoiding headaches.
If you’re in the market for an auxiliary scissor lift, whether you’re a small workshop, a retail store, or a large warehouse, we’re here to guide you through every step. From the initial pre-installation assessment to the final safety checks and operator training, we make sure your lift is installed correctly and ready to use. Don’t take chances with your safety or your operations—reach out to our team to discuss your needs and get a customized installation plan that works for you.
Diesel Telescopic Boom Lift References
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "Powered Platforms for Work (Scissor Lifts)." OSHA Standards, 2023.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO). "Safety Requirements for Aerial Work Platforms." ISO 18878:2021, 2021.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). "Preventing Fall Injuries from Scissor Lifts." NIOSH Safety Report, 2022.
- Scissor Lift Manufacturers Association (SLMA). "Installation and Maintenance Best Practices for Auxiliary Scissor Lifts." SLMA Guidelines, 2023.
Mantall Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
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Address: NO.62, Binhai Avenue, Binhai Industrial Park, Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, China
E-mail: Gloria@mantall.com
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