The pothole protection on scissor lifts: We explain the safety feature

In one of our last articles we looked at the varioussafety features of aerial work platforms . Today we would like to focus on a specific safety element: the pothole protection on scissor lifts.

This unobtrusive feature plays a key role in operator safety, especially in environments where there is a risk of the scissor lift having to travel over uneven ground or potential obstacles when extended.

In this article we explain what exactly the pothole protection is, how it works and why it is so important for safety when using scissor lifts.

What is pothole protection?

The pothole protection is an important safety feature that is primarily found on small and medium-sized scissor lifts. This system is designed to prevent the platform from tipping over if one of the wheels gets into a hole or depression.

The pothole protection consists of fixed or automatically extending devices that reduce the ground clearance of the chassis between the wheels. This increases the stability of the aerial work platform, especially when used on uneven terrain or on construction sites with uneven surfaces.

How does the pothole protection work?

The way the pothole protection works is based on a mechanism that limits the travel speed of the aerial work platform once the aerial work platform has been extended to a certain height. In this case, the protection is automatically activated to stabilize the aerial work platform and prevent it from tipping over. This is done by adjusting the ground clearance until the aerial work platform is lowered again.

This safety function is particularly important because scissor lifts are often operated by operators even when extended. The pothole protection therefore makes a significant contribution to increasing the safety of the operator and minimizing the risk of accidents.

The pothole protection on work platforms
The picture shows the extended pothole protection of a scissor lift. Work platforms may only be picked up at the designated lifting points using fork tines from forklifts or other industrial trucks. This ensures that the platform is transported safely and that neither the structure nor the safety devices, including the pothole protection, are damaged.

The picture shows the opened battery compartment of a Genie scissor lift, which reveals the mechanism of the pothole protection. If parts are bent due to improper lifting, this poses a significant risk.

Mega-decks rely on stabilizing supports

On the other hand, stabilizing supports are used on the large scissor lifts, the so-called mega decks, to ensure the highest level of safety and stability. These supports, which can usually be extended manually and then usually level themselves, serve to ensure the stability of the aerial work platform. Special care is required on uneven or soft ground and - in this case in particular - support must be provided.

The supports distribute the weight of the platform more evenly across the ground and prevent the platform from tipping or moving during work. This is especially important with heavy loads or in situations where workers on the platform make movements that could affect the balance of the platform.