



Do not have enough money for one-day electric scissor lift training course?

Want to learn how to operate an electric scissor lift? Step by step? Do you want a reliable and complete source to guide you to the right procedures and instructions?



Congratulations, you are in the right place. At the end of this post you will know - as an operator - the right procedures in order to operate an electric scissor lift efficiently, so make sure to fully understand the following lines to remain in the safe zone.



Meet the Skyjack, one of the most beloved, popular and simple electric scissor lifts in the world, and our friend through this journey.





Skyjack and most electric scissor lifts have two main units in order to control and operate, Base Control and Platform Control. In this post I'll provide you the necessary information needed to operate any scissor lift through these units and it is important to carefully read and completely understand the operating steps and instructions, so let's dive deeper.





Base Control Unit





This control unit is located at the base of the scissor lift which contains the following controls:

1. (Lower-Neutral-Raise) Switch

This switch manages raising or lowering of the platform.

2. (Off-Platform-Base) Key Switch

This three-way switch allows you to turn off power to the platform or to activate either platform control or base control.

3. Emergency Stop Button

This button, when being pressed, disconnects power to the control circuit.



Before operating, you should activate base control console by pulling out the emergency stop button from base control unit and platform control unit. Also, you have to turn main power disconnect switch to on position.



Attention Please!

The Main Power Disconnect Switch does not exist in all scissor lift brands and models, but if it exists, you should find it at the base of your scissor lift. This switch, while being in off position, disconnects power to all circuits. The switch must be in on position to operate any circuit. When transporting the scissor lift it's recommended to turn the switch off.





So, How to Raise and Lower the Platform Using Base Control Unit ?!

To raise or lower the platform using base control Unit, select and hold (off-platform-base) key switch to the base position using your left hand.





Then select and hold (lower-neutral-raise) switch to either raise or lower position using your right hand. And r elease switch to stop using.









If you are a left-handed person you can use your hands in opposite way. And be careful, do not lower the platform unless the area is clear of personnel and difficulties.





Platform Control Unit

This removable control unit is mounted at the right front of the platform. It contains the following controls:





1. (Lift-Drive-Steer) Enable Trigger Switch This momentary switch energizes the controller. It must be held pressed continuously while engaging either the lift, drive or steer functions.



Without activating enable trigger switch, try to activate any platform function and you will find that all platform functions will not response.





2. (Lift-Drive-Steer) Controller joystick This only single-hand lever controls lift, drive and steer motions. Internal springs return it to neutral when the controller is released.





3. (Inclined Drive-Level Drive) Switch This switch selects the slanted drive (low speed-high torque) or level drive (high speed-low torque).



Essentially, you must keep it on level run position u nless when you are climbing or descending a ramp.



Note that (inclined drive (low speed-high torque)) may be not available on all models.





4. (Lift-Off-Drive) Switch

Choosing off position disconnects power from both lift and drive circuits. Choosing lift position energizes the lift circuit. Choosing drive position energizes the drive circuit.





5. Emergency Stop Button This button, when pressed, disconnects power to the control circuit.



Push in emergency stop button and try to activate any platform function, in this case, all selected platform function should not response. 6. Horn Push Button



This push button sounds an automotive-type horn. Push the horn push button and the horn will sound. You can use it while running the scissor lift during a busy work site.







Before starting to operate your scissor lift, you need to activate platform control unite by turning main power disconnect switch to on position in the base control unit, pulling out emergency stop button and selecting (off-platform-base) key switch to platform position.



Use the ladder of the scissor lift to access platform, close the gate, and finally, pull out emergency stop button on platform control console, then get ready for the fun.



🚨 Make sure that you maintain three points of contact when using the ladder to mount / dismount the platform.









How to Raise and Lower the Platform Using Platform Control Unit ?!

To raise or lower platform using platform control unit, activate platform control unit by pulling out emergency stop button.





Select (lift-off-drive) switch to lift position then activate and hold enable trigger switch.





Pushing controller joystick forward should rise the platform to desired height. Pull controller joystick backward should lower the platform . Finally, return the controller to the neutral center position to stop and release enable trigger switch.









To prevent unintended movement of the scissor lift, you can push the emergency stop button after you have arrived at your desired location or height.



🚨 Be aware of overhead difficulties or other possible risks around the scissor lift when lifting and Don't lower the platform unless the area below is clear of personnel and difficulties.





Also, if the platform does not, or only partially raises, immediately lower the platform completely and ensure that the aerial platform is on a firm level surface.





How to Drive Forward or Backward ?! To drive forward or backward, make sure that the platform control unit is activated, select (lift-off-drive) switch to drive position, activate and hold enable trigger switch, move controller joystick forward or backward to desired speed and direction of scissor lift travel.



Slowly push controller joystick in forward direction then the scissor lift will start moving slowly. Full forward push for controller joystick makes the scissor lift go with its full speed.



Slowly pull controller joystick in the backward direction then the scissor lift will start moving slowly in reverse direction. Full backward pull for controller joystick makes the scissor lift move with its full speed.







Finally, return the controller to the neutral center position to stop, and release enable trigger switch.



🚨 Fast and sudden push or pull makes the scissor jerk like cars, so make sure to start slowly and smoothly.



Be aware of blind spots when driving the scissor lift and make sure that there are no personnel or difficulties in the path of driving, including blind spots. And remember to push the emergency stop button after arriving your desired location to protect against unintended movement of the scissor lift.





How to Steer the Wheels ?!