So, we have a dead scissor lift on site, this happens regularly.....apparently. I had a near miss / unsafe act told to me (not yet got them to report stuff but getting told about things is a start). Allegedly the scissor lift was being transported on the forks of the FLT (this is not disputed) then depending on who you speak to it either slipped off the forks on one side and hit the ground causing a bang or it started to slip so the forks were lowered.

Now, there are no lifting points on the scissor so as far as I am concerned we should in no way be lifting this with the FLT, we don’t have a nice smooth surface and we have blind bends and automatic doors. However we do only have one place in the rather large site that can charge it.

So the question is, how do you shift a dead scissor?

The sensible thing would be to realise its low on battery and get it back to base to charge or have more charging locations (won't happen).

Anyone else have this issue? How did you resolve it? I have possibly suggested that the scissor be secured to the FLT but I don't like that either.

FYI, the FLT can take the weight of the scissor it’s just an unstable load.

Any suggestions / ideas appreciated

We wont have additional charging points as we are looking to move so the costs of the installation wont get buy off.

Can't tow it, I asked that and apparently when the battery is dead the wheels cant move, no "neutral" for want of a better description. I asked this yesterday.

I'm not happy with having the FLT lift it but I do think its the only way we can move it and did suggest yesterday that it be seccured with straps. It cant just be moved unsecured around the site.

Originally Posted by: Andy123

Thinking out side the box maybe you could look at a power pack that will give just enough power to move scissor lift to charging point ? worth asking you scissor lift provider for advice .I am sure your not the only company who has this problem

Its not outside the box as I have thought about it and will be suggesting it. 

if its a jlg, we have/had a jlg1932, and it suffered from the instability you discuss,

a) being long compared to the forks

 and

b) being heavy and having quite a far off centre of gravity in relation to the forklift.

consider: 

you can get longer forks for the forklift, for the fork holes along the body, and does the forlkift comfortably lift at the distance that the centre of gravity. 

b) consider the forklift being used to do the lift and if it could be swapped for one which perhaps is heavier and suited for a bigger load and longer forks, depending on other requirements.

c) as has been discussed further up, straps round it or to the anchor points at the bottom to brackets on the forklift or wrapping round to the machine to an attachment point on the forklift frame/guard (of sufficient structural strength) and so that it moves when you lift, carry and lower in relation to the forks/frame. 

if you aren't confident with straps, consider chains, but i'd be concerned they would likely be considered too much of a faff to be used all the time by the lads. 

do a little video with a camera on a tripod, and get it so that the procedure is simple, quick and easy to do, with a box that lives with the machine which has everything in it. 

once you have procedure, video, watch together and get everyone to sign to say they'll do it after they've had opportunity to improve things and make it easy. 

with reference to the batteries, we bought some from manbatt, after cleaning up connections between batteries inside the battery box, topping up where possible, with de-ionised water, and charging with tops off to see if the cells were bubbling to identify dead cells. (some are totally sealed, so you can't see the dead cells). 

I would never try to move a "dead" MEWP with a fork lift truck, its inherently dangerous, especially if you fit longer forks to the FLT this changes the load lifting capacity of the truck (reduces it considerably) and also makes the truck more unstable.  The operation manual for the vehicle will tell you how to move it safely.  If you don't have the manual then you can download it from the manufacturer's website.