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Primary Mover Hoist Guide

Scissor Hoist Capacity & Selection Calculator

Compare Primary Mover scissor hoists using your total moving body length, expected load, rear hinge overhang, desired angle, and hydraulic pressure.

Your dump-body scenario

Include the full length raised by the hoist. If a headache rack or over-cab section lifts with the body, include it in the total length.
This calculator is intended for moving body lengths up to 24 feet.
Enter material payload only. The moving body weight is entered separately.
Include the body, tailgate, liner, side extensions, tarp hardware, headache rack, over-cab section, and everything else raised by the hoist.
Measure from the rear hinge pivot point to the back edge of the moving dump body.
Advanced settings
Default and maximum is 3,200 PSI. Enter a lower pressure to evaluate PTO or other lower-pressure systems.

How to measure

Trailer diagram showing A as total moving dump-body length and B as rear hinge overhang
ATotal moving body length

Measure the complete moving length. Include any headache rack or over-cab section that rises with the dump body.

BRear hinge overhang

Measure from the rear hinge pivot to the back edge of the moving dump body.

Read the manual before purchasing or installing.
This calculator provides preliminary estimates only. Verify all measurements, mounting geometry, pressure requirements, vehicle ratings, and installation instructions in the applicable manual.

Read the Scissor Hoist Manual
Material payload—
Moving body—
Required gross load—
Preliminary Recommendation

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Installation requirements apply to every hoist and every load: The lower mounting points, rear mounting area, structural cross-members or subframe, and dump body must be properly supported and reinforced. Correct mounting, welding, alignment, and load distribution are critical. A hoist can distort or fail even with a light load when the supporting structure or installation is inadequate. Review the current manual before ordering, fabricating, or installing.

Product manual controls: This calculator is a preliminary selection aid. Before ordering or installing, review the current hoist manual, model-specific capacity information, and all mounting requirements. The manual and the lowest applicable vehicle, body, hydraulic-system, and component rating are the source of truth. If anything conflicts, stop and contact Primary Mover.

Open Hoist Manual & Mounting Requirements

Full model comparison

Model Reference M Estimated gross capacity Reserve vs gross load 15% target Status

The capacity shown is an estimate produced from the workbook formula and the model-specific reference M-distance for the selected angle. Reference M is a model/mounting geometry value; it does not automatically increase just because the dump body is longer. Models outside their loaded body-length range are excluded even when raw lifting-force math appears sufficient. The current product manual, mounting requirements, and the lowest applicable vehicle, body, hydraulic-system, or component rating are the source of truth. This is not a certified vehicle, body, installation, or legal load rating.

Check an exact model and mount

Include any over-cab or headache-rack section raised by the hoist.
Maximum permitted calculator pressure is 3,200 PSI. Lower values may be entered.
Specific Hoist Estimate

PF520

Estimated gross capacity—
Estimated material capacity after body weight—
Required gross load—
Reserve—
Installation requirements apply to this model regardless of calculated capacity: Confirm full support and reinforcement at the lower mounting points, rear mounting area, structural cross-members or subframe, and dump body. Correct mounting, welding, alignment, and load distribution are critical. Inadequate support or installation can cause distortion or failure even when the hydraulic calculation clears.
Open Hoist Manual & Mounting Requirements
Important preliminary-use notice: These results are estimates for product selection and planning only. The current product manual, installation instructions, mounting requirements, and the lowest applicable vehicle or component rating are the source of truth and control over any calculator result. Estimated gross dumping capacity includes the dump body, tailgate, liner, tarp hardware, headache rack or over-cab section, material, and every other component raised by the hoist. Never exceed the lowest applicable GVWR, GAWR, chassis, axle, tire, wheel, hitch or coupler, dump-body, hoist, cylinder, hydraulic-system, or other component rating. Actual performance varies with hydraulic pressure, geometry, load placement, fabrication, friction, body rigidity, and installation quality. Every model requires adequate lower-mount support, rear-mount support, structural cross-members or subframe, dump-body reinforcement, correct alignment, proper welding, and controlled load distribution. Final selection and installation must be verified by qualified personnel.
Open the Scissor Hoist Manual & Mounting Requirements