Where are lift tables used?

A lift table is a device that employs a scissors mechanism[1] to raise or lower goods and/or persons. Typically lift tables are used to raise large, heavy loads through relatively small distances. Common applications include pallet handling, vehicle loading and work positioning. Lift tables are a recommended way to help reduce incidents of musculoskeletal disorders[2] by correctly re-positioning work at a suitable height for operators. Lift tables lend themselves to being easily adapted to a specific use. They can work in hostile environments, be manufactured in stainless steel and have equipment like conveyors, turn-tables, barriers and gates easily added to their deckplates.

Use

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Unimog 405/UGN on a lift table World War 2 American ground crew using a lift table to load a bomb onto a B-17 bomber

Lift tables can come in a vast array of configurations and can be built to suit various highly specialized industrial processes. The most common lift table design incorporates hydraulic cylinders and an electrically powered pump to actuate the scissor lifting mechanism. Lift tables can also be driven by pneumatic sources, trapezoidal-threaded screw drives, push chains or by hydraulic foot pump when the load is not heavy. Lift tables can be mounted in a pit for floor-level loading, especially useful for access by manual pallet-pump trucks and the mobility impaired or wheelchair users.

Industries that commonly use lift tables include woodworking, upholstered furniture manufacturing, metalworking, paper, printing and publishing, warehousing and distribution, heavy machinery and transportation.

Common uses

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Common uses of lift tables include

• Vehicle loading and docking operations
• Mobility impaired access (see below)
• Work positioning and ergonomic handling
• Load positioning (e.g. when integrated into conveyor systems)
• Materials positioning in machine feeding applications
• Pallet and roll cage handling
• Furniture upholstery

Safety

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Standards

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In Europe there is a published standard BS EN 1570: 1998 + A2: 2009 Safety requirements for lifting tables. Standard EN 1570-1 is now EN 15701-1:2011+A1:2014. It is a Type C standard and compliance with this standard confers conformity with the Machinery Directive, 2006/42/EC. Work is already being undertaken to revise this standard and possibly split it into 3 parts. It specifies the criteria for the raising and lowering of goods and/or persons associated with the movement of goods carried by lifting tables.

In North America, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved and published the ANSI MH29.1:2012 standard in February 2012, itself a revision of the previous MH29.1:2008 standard.[3]

Common accidents

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The most common types of accidents involving a scissor lift caused by misapplication of the machine, obstacles, misuse of the equipment, and lack of maintenance.

See also

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References

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Material handling methods are key in any warehouse environment – and not just for horizontal movement, but vertical as well. That’s where table lifts, or lift tables, come into play. Ideal for any warehouse task that needs to move products from the ground to an elevated position, a table lift takes manual labor out of the process and can help enhance safety and efficiency to boot. In this post, we’ll further discuss the importance of the table lift in the warehouse setting, the various types of table lifts, and more. Here’s a closer look:

Table Lifts 101: What You Need to Know

As the name implies, table lifts are table-like components that are programmed to raise and lower. They’re typically used to lift pallets, heavy loads of supplies or even people in a safe and effective way. Some of the common uses in the warehouse environment include:

• Vehicle loading and other docking tasks
• Pallet loading and storage
• Load positioning
• Materials storage and retrieval

Table lifts are designed to work in demanding environments and are highly repeatable. In the forthcoming sections, we’ll get into the various types of table lifts and some of the key benefits of these components.

Types of Table Lifts

There are various different types of table lifts, and knowing these various types and the lift table mechanism that would suit your warehouse best is important to making the right selection. Here’s a look at the table lifts warehouse managers can select from:

• Manual vs. powered lift tables: There are both powered and non-powered table lifts. Manual table lifts are ideal for lifting light loads and tend to be very easy to operate. Powered tables are the more efficient and effective type of lift table, offering maximum repeatability and the ability to raise and lower heavier loads.
• Hydraulic lift tables: These are the most common type of lift table. Powered by a hydraulic cylinder, these tables are known for their strength and efficiency.
• Pneumatic lift tables: These air-powered lifts are also common in warehouses and other industrial environments. Since they work via compressed air, they’re ideally integrated into a warehouse that already has such a system in place.
• Electric lift tables: Electric lift tables help promote a higher degree of cleanliness in the warehouse environment. Unlike hydraulic lift tables, electric table lifts don’t require any specialized fluids to operate. If hygiene is important, electric lift tables are the best bet.

Key Benefits of Table Lifts

While lift tables are designed to enhance efficiency in the warehouse environment, they are most important when it comes to health and safety. When correctly used, lift tables help reduce exertion and muscular-skeletal injuries, which are among the most common type of injury experienced in the warehouse environment. From strains and sprains to overexertion, lift tables allow workers to more safely and effectively handle heavy loads and reduce stress on the “power zone’ between their knees and shoulders where bending, reaching, or lifting can lead to serious injury. Using table lifts and other material-handling equipment in the warehouse helps reduce injury, improve productivity, and keep worker morale high.

Other benefits of table lifts include:

• Ergonomics: Though it ties into the safety benefits, the ergonomic lift table is part of an ergonomically-optimized workplace that reduces stress and strain on the worker to enable a healthier and more productive workforce.
• Versatile: There are various different types of lift tables to select from for your warehouse, from hydraulic to electric to pneumatic. Lift tables can also be used outdoors and indoors, and they’re designed to operate in demanding environments.
• Productivity: Lift tables are designed to help a warehouse enhance its productivity – and when any type of business can achieve this, it leads to a trickle-down effect throughout the rest of its operations. It can help streamline the supply chain, benefit the end customer, and also enhance worker morale.

Contact A-Lined Handling Systems Today

To learn more about the benefits of lift tables and what type of table is right for your warehouse environment, contact A-Lined Handling Systems today. We carry a range of lift tables and other material handling equipment to select from. Contact us today for more information.