Free scissor lift quarterly service checklist
Enter your email below to download the PDF-ready service procedure. No account required.
A step-by-step quarterly (150-hour) service procedure for scissor lifts, covering both electric and diesel models. Covers battery and charger checks (electric), engine oil and filter change (diesel), hydraulic system inspection, platform and ground control testing, emergency descent testing, scissor mechanism inspection and greasing, platform safety checks, pothole protection testing, tilt alarm testing, and limit switch checks. Includes fluid specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Record the power type (diesel or electric), fill equipment details and hour reading, then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record fluid quantities and part numbers used. Set the next service due hours and sign off.
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ Covers both electric and diesel scissor lifts
- ✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack
Download free PDF template
Trusted by Australian contractors and maintenance teams
We use your email to send your download and occasional MapTrack updates. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy
Preview the template
See the first part of the service procedure below. Enter your email above to download the full scissor lift quarterly service procedure (PDF-ready).
What is a scissor lift quarterly service?
A quarterly service is the first tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for a scissor lift. It is performed every 3 months or 150 operating hours and covers battery and charger checks (electric), engine oil and filter replacement (diesel), hydraulic system inspection, testing of all platform and ground controls, emergency descent verification, scissor mechanism inspection and greasing, platform safety checks (floor, guardrails, entry gate), pothole protection device testing, tilt alarm/sensor testing, and limit switch checks. Unlike a daily pre-start check (which confirms the machine is safe to operate), the quarterly service involves actual maintenance actions: draining and replacing fluids, replacing filters, greasing components and functional testing. It is typically performed by a qualified technician, not the operator.
Benefits of scheduled scissor lift servicing
- Reduced breakdowns: regular oil, filter and fluid changes prevent hydraulic failures and battery degradation that cause unplanned downtime on site.
- Platform safety: testing controls, emergency descent, pothole protection and tilt sensors at regular intervals ensures the platform is safe for operators working at height.
- Extended component life: correct lubrication of scissor arm pins and pivot points reduces wear and extends the life of the scissor mechanism.
- Compliance: documented service records support the annual compliance inspection per AS 1418.10 and demonstrate that the scissor lift is maintained to WHS standards.
- Lower repair costs: a quarterly service costs a fraction of an emergency breakdown repair. Catching worn pins and bushes early prevents expensive scissor mechanism repairs.
- Resale value: a complete service history with documented quarterly and annual services increases the machine's value at trade-in or auction.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital service procedures and hour-based scheduling in MapTrack.
Service actions included in the quarterly procedure
This service procedure covers 20 service actions across 7 system areas:
- Battery / power (electric): check battery charge, electrolyte level and specific gravity, check charger operation and connections.
- Engine / power (diesel): drain and replace engine oil (10W-30), replace oil filter.
- Hydraulic system: check hydraulic oil level, inspect hoses, fittings and lift cylinder.
- Controls and functions: test all platform controls, test all ground controls, test emergency descent/lowering valve.
- Scissor mechanism: inspect all pins, bushes and pivot points, grease all scissor arm pins and pivot points.
- Platform and safety: check platform floor, guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards and entry gate, inspect harness anchor point.
- Drive, chassis and electrical: check pothole protection, check tyre/castor condition, test tilt alarm, check limit switches, check control labels and safety decals.
Fluid specifications
General fluid specifications for scissor lifts (electric and diesel). Capacities vary by machine size and manufacturer.
| System | Type / Grade | Approx. Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic oil | ISO VG 32 or 46 | 20 - 40 L (system) |
| Engine oil (diesel) | 10W-30 | 4 - 8 L |
| Battery water (electric) | Distilled water | As required |
| Grease | EP2 lithium complex | As required |
Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.
Parts and consumables
Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the quarterly service:
- Engine oil filter (diesel models) - 1
- Engine oil (10W-30, diesel) - 4-8 litres
- EP2 grease cartridges - 1-2
- Battery water, distilled (electric models) - as required
- Hydraulic oil for top-up - as required
- Rags, drip tray and waste oil container
Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.
How to perform a scissor lift quarterly service
- Position the scissor lift on level ground with the platform fully lowered. Shut down the engine (diesel) or disconnect the charger (electric). Apply the park brake and chock the wheels.
- Record the equipment details, power type (diesel or electric) and current hour meter reading at the top of the service procedure form.
- For electric models: check battery charge, electrolyte level and specific gravity, and check charger operation. For diesel models: drain and replace engine oil, replace the engine oil filter.
- Check hydraulic oil level and inspect all hydraulic hoses, fittings and the lift cylinder for leaks.
- Test all platform controls (raise, lower, drive, steer) and all ground controls. Test the emergency descent/lowering valve.
- Inspect the scissor mechanism, checking all pins, bushes and pivot points for wear. Grease all scissor arm pins and pivot points using EP2 grease.
- Check platform floor condition. Check guardrails, mid-rails and toe boards. Inspect the platform entry gate or safety chain. Inspect harness anchor points if required for the working height.
- Check pothole protection device operation. Check tyre or castor condition and pressures. Test the tilt alarm/sensor. Check limit switches (height, drive cutout). Verify control labels and safety decals are legible.
- Record any defects or recommendations in the notes section. Set the next service due hours (next quarterly and annual). Sign off and update the machine's maintenance log.
In MapTrack, you can schedule services based on hour meter readings, get automatic reminders, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the machine. Book a demo to see how.
Get the free template
Enter your email above to download the scissor lift quarterly service procedure.
Back to download formScissor lift service interval hierarchy
Scissor lift maintenance follows a tiered schedule where each level includes all tasks from the level below. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.
Daily - Pre-start check
Operator inspection before each shift. Visual checks, controls test, safety devices.
150 hours / quarterly - Service (you are here)
Battery checks (electric), engine oil and filter (diesel), hydraulics, controls testing, scissor mechanism greasing, safety systems. Estimated 1.5-2.5 hours.
All quarterly tasks plus hydraulic filter, structural inspection of scissor arms, pin and bush wear measurement, overload sensor recalibration, electrical testing, compliance inspection per AS 1418.10. Estimated 3-5 hours.
In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by operating hours and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.
Frequently asked questions
- What is included in a scissor lift quarterly service?
- A scissor lift quarterly (150-hour) service covers battery charge, electrolyte level and specific gravity checks (electric models), engine oil and filter replacement (diesel models), hydraulic oil level and hose inspection, testing all platform and ground controls (raise, lower, drive, steer), testing emergency descent, inspecting the scissor mechanism including all pins, bushes and pivot points, greasing all scissor arm pins, checking platform floor, guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards and entry gate, checking pothole protection device operation, checking tyre or castor condition and pressures, testing the tilt alarm/sensor, checking limit switches, and verifying control labels and safety decals. It takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- How often should a scissor lift be serviced?
- Scissor lifts follow a tiered service schedule. A quarterly (150-hour) service covers oil, filters, grease, controls testing and basic inspections. An annual (500-hour) service adds hydraulic filter replacement, structural inspection of scissor arms, pin and bush wear measurement, overload sensor recalibration, full electrical testing, and the annual compliance inspection per AS 1418.10. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.
- What is the pothole protection device on a scissor lift?
- The pothole protection device is a safety system that prevents the scissor lift from driving into a hole, off a kerb or over an edge when the platform is elevated. It consists of sensors or mechanical feelers near the wheels that detect a sudden drop and automatically stop the drive function. It must be tested during each quarterly service to confirm it activates correctly.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the scissor lift quarterly service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each machine with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital service procedures scheduled by operating hours?
Register every scissor lift in MapTrack. Set up quarterly and annual service schedules, complete procedures on mobile, track parts and costs, and get automatic alerts when the next service is due.