How is the pothole protection feature of a mobile scissor lift implemented?

The pothole protection function on mobile scissor lift platforms is a passive or semi-active mechanical safety system designed to ensure stability when the lift platform encounters uneven ground (such as potholes, ground joints, or small obstacles) while elevated. Its implementation is closely related to the chassis structure, suspension geometry, and lift height control logic.
Purpose of Pothole Protection
When a scissor lift platform is raised, its center of gravity moves upward, and the risk of tipping increases significantly if a wheel falls into a depression. Pothole protection increases the effective wheelbase or ground contact area, limiting ground clearance and preventing sudden chassis sinking. According to industry standards, most mobile scissor lift platforms must be equipped with pothole protection devices.
Core Implementation Method
The swing-down (deployable) pothole protection plate is the most common design.
Two steel pothole protection plates are mounted beneath the chassis. When the platform is in the lowered position, the protection plates are folded upwards to maintain normal ground clearance. When the platform is raised (usually above 1.2–1.5 meters / 4–5 feet), the protection plates automatically swing downwards under the force of gravity or a spring. Once deployed, the protection plates are positioned above the ground, significantly reducing the allowable wheel sinking depth.
With the pothole protection device deployed:
If a wheel enters a pothole, the chassis will contact the protection device before reaching a critical tilt angle. Without proper deployment: sudden wheel sinking could exceed the allowable tilt angle, leading to tipping.