Obtaining a handle upon the weight of 19 scissor lift units is definitely one of those activities you don't really think about until you're staring at a trailer ramp or a set of double doors with a "maximum load" sign. Most people just assume they're heavy enough in order to stay upright yet light enough in order to move around, which is true to an extent. But whenever you're planning a job on a sensitive gym floor or trying to determine out if your half-ton pickup may actually tow a single, those specific amounts start to matter a whole great deal more.
Generally speaking, a standard 19-foot electric scissor lift will probably tip the particular scales somewhere between two, 500 and 3, 300 pounds . That's quite a decent range, and that extra 800-pound swing usually comes down to the manufacturer's style, the battery configuration, and whether the particular machine is created for indoor-only use or even if it has a bit of "all-terrain" DNA baked within.
Why will the weight vary so much?
You might wonder the reason why two machines that will both reach the same height might have such different weights. It usually comes down to the base. The scissor lift is usually basically a huge game of physics. Whenever you've got someone standing 19 foot in the air flow, you need a lot of mass at the particular bottom to keep the center of gravity low. If the particular machine is narrow—say, only 30 ins wide so it can fit via a regular doorway—the engineers usually have to add more heavy metal or lead weight load towards the chassis in order to keep it from tipping over.
If you look from something like the Genie GS-1930 , it's a classic within the industry. It's narrow, reliable, plus weighs in at about 2, 700 pounds . On the other hand, several older models or ruggedized versions may be built with thicker plate metal, pushing that weight closer to the several, 000-pound mark. It's all a trade-off between portability and stability.
Typical models and their actual specs
If you're proceeding to a rental lawn, you're likely heading to run in to one of the particular "big three" brands. The actual weight of 19 scissor lift models through these specific businesses can save you a headache afterwards.
- Skyjack SJ3219: This is probably the most common lift you'll see on a construction site. It's a workhorse. This usually weighs about two, 580 pounds . It's relatively lighting for its course, that makes it a favorite for contractors who need to shift multiple units upon a single movie trailer.
- Genie GS-1930: As mentioned, this particular one sits correct around 2, 700 pounds . It's a bit more "refined" than the Skyjack but carries that extra weight in the drive system and battery casing.
- JLG 1930ES: JLG is recognized for being effective with their energy. Their 19-footer comes along in at roughly 2, 715 pounds . It's right in the middle of the pack.
It's worth observing these weights are "dry" weights or standard operating weights. In case you start including accessories—like heavy-duty pipe racks, extra device trays, or specific tires—you're going to be adding the few hundred pounds to that total pretty quickly.
Floor loading and why your floors contractor is nervous
One of the largest reasons individuals ask about the weight of 19 scissor lift devices isn't for the trailer; it's with regard to the floor. In case you're working in a high-end workplace building, a college hallway, or even a freshly finished warehouse, the particular "point load" is definitely everything.
Even though two, 700 pounds doesn't sound like the massive amount compared to a car, everything weight will be concentrated on 4 very small contact patches—the tires. When you have solid non-marking silicone tires, they don't deform much. What this means is you're putting a lot of pressure on a tiny area. In the event that you're driving over the tile floor or perhaps a thin concrete slab over a crawl space, you've got to be careful.
Most 19-foot lifts have a floor loading stress of around 120 to 150-psi (pounds for each square inch) . If that's too much for your surface area you're focusing on, you'll need to put together some plywood or "outrigger pads" in order to spread that weight out. I've seen more than one beautiful hardwood flooring get ruined due to the fact someone didn't understand how heavy these compact machines in fact are.
Are you able to tow it your self?
This is where things obtain a bit dicey. If you're thinking about picking up a rental yourself, a person need to appear at more the weight of 19 scissor lift units; you need to look at the movie trailer weight too.
A decent utility trailer that will can hold a 3, 000-pound lift is going in order to weigh at least 1, 000 to at least one, 500 pounds itself. So, now you're searching at an overall "towed weight" of around 4, 000 in order to 4, 500 lbs . Most modern mid-size SUVs plus half-ton trucks (like an F-150 or even Silverado) are designed for this particular easily, as long as they have a proper hitch. However, in the event that you're trying in order to pull this with a smaller all terain or a pickup truck without a tow deal, you might find yourself swaying all around the highway.
Always make sure the lift is centered more than the trailer axle assemblies. Because these machines are so dense—so much weight within such a small footprint—putting it beyond the boundary forward or too much back on the trailer will mess with your language weight and make for a very scary drive.
Electric battery weight is the hidden factor
Nearly every 19-foot scissor lift you'll make use of indoors is electric powered. This means it's packed with four big 6-volt or two 12-volt deep-cycle electric batteries. These things are incredibly heavy. Every battery can weigh between 60 and 80 pounds .
When a person consider the weight of 19 scissor lift totals, a significant chunk of that will be only the lead-acid batteries sitting in the particular trays. If you're ever wanting to "lighten" a lift intended for a specific shift (which I don't recommend doing often), pulling the batteries is the only method to do it, but it's a massive pain. More recent lithium-ion models start to hit the particular market, and they are significantly lighter, however they aren't the industry standard just yet. Regarding now, you're stuck with the heavy lead ones.
The "Outdoor" version weight jump
Here's a curveball: some 19-foot lifts are rated with regard to outdoor use, significance they can handle a bit of wind. To get that rating, the manufacturer often offers to add much more weight to the base. An outdoor-rated 19-foot lift might weigh three hundred to 500 lbs more than the indoor-only twin.
Why? Since when you're outdoors, a gust of wind hitting that will platform acts such as a sail. In case the machine isn't heavy enough at the end, it'll tip. In the event that you're renting a machine and a person know you'll end up being on the parking lot rather than a warehouse flooring, be sure you check the particular spec plate. You might find that your "light" lift has suddenly place on some weight to stay safe in the breeze.
Wrapping it most up
In the end of the afternoon, knowing the weight of 19 scissor lift models is about protection and preparation. You're usually taking a look at regarding two, 600 to two, 800 pounds for your nearly all common units. In the event that you've got the trailer rated regarding 5, 000 pounds and a ground that isn't made of glass, you're probably going to become just fine.
Just don't eyeball it. Always check the data dish on the side of the particular machine before you decide to insert it up or even drive it onto a questionable surface. It only takes a second, and it's a lot better than trying to explain to a client exactly why their floor is cracked or precisely why your trailer axle is bent in to a "U" shape. These little machines pack a great deal of mass right into a small frame, and respecting that weight is the key in order to a smooth workday.