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What Does “Low Height” Mean on a Lift Table? (And How Is It Different from Raised Height and Stroke?)

What Does “Low Height” Mean on a Lift Table? 

Low height (or lowered height) on a lift table is the vertical distance from the bottom of the lift frame to the top of the platform when the table is in its fully lowered position.

This measurement determines how the lift table is loaded and whether it can sit flush with the floor. In applications using pallet jacks, hand trucks, or automated floor-level systems, a lower low height can reduce or eliminate the need for a pit, or allow for a shallow pit installation for level loading.

In other applications, a pit may still be required to achieve full floor-level access, especially in high-traffic environments where smooth material flow or forklift access is required.

A lower low height generally provides more flexibility in system design, but the correct configuration depends on the loading method, workflow, and facility layout.

Key Lift Table Height Definitions

Low Height (Lowered Height):
The height of the platform when fully lowered. It determines how loads are initially placed onto the lift. Raised Height (Extended Height):
The maximum height the platform reaches when fully elevated. It defines the working or discharge height. Stroke (Vertical Travel):
The total vertical distance between the low height and raised height. It represents the full lifting range.

Understanding these three measurements is essential when selecting a lift table, as they directly impact loading efficiency, ergonomics, installation requirements, and overall workflow performance.

What Is a Lift Table?

What Is a Lift Table?

A lift table is a material handling device used to raise and lower heavy loads to a desired working height. It typically uses a scissor-style lifting mechanism powered by hydraulics, air, or mechanical systems to safely move materials between different elevations.

Lift tables are commonly used in manufacturing, warehousing, and assembly operations to improve ergonomics, safety, and productivity by reducing the need for manual lifting and positioning.

What Does a Lift Table Do?

A lift table raises, lowers, and positions loads so they can be handled more easily and safely. It helps move materials to ergonomic working heights for loading, assembly, maintenance, or transfer.

Where Are Lift Tables Used?

Lift tables are used in:

  • Manufacturing and assembly lines
  • Warehousing and distribution centers
  • Maintenance and repair stations
  • Material handling and packaging areas

What Is the Main Purpose of a Lift Table?

The main purpose of a lift table is to improve workplace safety and efficiency by reducing manual lifting and positioning heavy materials at optimal working heights.

How Does a Lift Table Work?

A lift table works using a scissor mechanism that expands to raise the platform and contracts to lower it. The movement is powered by hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical systems depending on the application.

Why Are Lift Tables Important?

Lift tables are important because they reduce worker strain, improve productivity, and create safer, more efficient material handling processes in industrial environments.

What is raised height, when referring to lift tables?
Raised height is the combination, or sum, of the low height and lift, which indicates the overall distance from the bottom of the frame to the top of the lift table platform in the fully raised position.
What does uniformly distributed load mean, when referring to lift tables?
A uniformly distributed load refers to the positioning of the product on the lift table platform. With a uniformly distributed load the product is evenly “spread” or distributed over the entire platform area.
What is a semi portable lift table?
A combination of frame mounted rollers and removable dolly handle that permit an unloaded and retracted lift table to be moved without use of fork lift or overhead crane when not in use.
What is a velocity fuse, and how does it work, when referring to lift tables?
A velocity fuse is a hydraulic valve that prevents free-fall if the hydraulic hose is severed. Note: The fuse may not lock if the lift table load is light in relation to its overall capacity.
How do I increase the speed of my lift table?
To increase the lift speed, a larger volume hydraulic pump and higher horsepower motor assembly (powerpack) is required. The larger the hydraulic pump and the higher horsepower motor assembly will increase the volume of hydraulic oil being pumped to the cylinders, thereby increasing the lift speed.
What do side and end axle load and side and end edge load mean?
rating, end/side axle load – The maximum amount of single axle load (in the case of rolling loads) which can be applied to the loading edge of the platform (end or side) when the lift is in any raised position. This rating considers: 1) that some amount of deflection will occur during load transfer, 2) the moving and impact forces imposed by the load, 3) that this is a temporary condition during load transfer only, and 4) that the scissors lift platform is static and non-moving. rating, end/side edge load - The maximum amount of static load that can be applied to the edge of the platform (end or side) when the lift is in any raised position. This rating considers: 1) that some amount of deflection will occur during load transfer, 2) that this is a temporary condition during load transfer only, and 3) that the scissors lift platform is static and non-moving.
Can people work when positioned on a lift table?
Pentalift lift tables can be manufactured to be used as personnel work platforms. Based upon the application, components such as guardrails (required when riders are more than 48” above grade) gates, anti-slip platform, etc may be incorporated into the design. Pentalift dock lifts permit a rider to accompany material during load transfer. These lifts are not designed for the exclusive purpose of transporting riders between fixed elevations or landings. Pentalift lifts do not meet the elevator or handicap lift requirements and require review, modification and approval by an appropriately authorized party for use of this nature.
Does Pentalift offer custom lifts?
Yes. Pentalift has extensive experience engineering and manufacturing custom lift tables and dock lifts to suit a wide range of industries and applications, many models are available as portable. In addition to lifts Pentalift offers custom tilters, rotators, and work positioners.
What is No-Low design, when referring to lift tables?
The No-Low design: When the lift table is in the fully lowered position, the vertical distance from the top surface of the lift table platform to the grade can be 3/8”, ½”, ¾”. Usage: The No-Low can be used in a traffic situation that is a drive through or a drive on and drive off. Optional: On a drive through application, a mezzanine lip is available.
Where would I use a pneumatic lift table?
Pneumatic lift tables are often used in applications with an existing, readily available air supply. They are also used in applications where standard electrical equipment is a concern such as paint shops and other hazardous areas. They are also used in areas where onerous and costly electrical specifications apply.  
Where would I use a hydraulic lift table?
Hydraulic lift tables provide the widest range of selection, operation and performance available. Hydraulic lift tables offer precise positioning of almost any weight with a wide range of platform sizes and vertical travel available. They are the most common configuration of lift table.
What is a tandem design lift table and where would it used?
A tandem design lift table incorporates two scissor leg sets installed “end to end” with a common platform and frame assembly. The adjacent scissor legs of the tandem design provide additional stability of the extended platform to accommodate longer loads.  
What is a double scissor lift table and where would it be used?
A double scissor lift table has two scissor leg sets “stacked” one on top of each other. This design provides approximately double the vertical lift of a single scissor lift table with the equivalent length frame.
What does self-levelling lift table mean?
A self-levelling lift table (Pentaloader) automatically adjusts in height as product is either added or removed. A self-levelling table maintains the loading level at the ergonomically correct position for the operator during the loading/off loading process. This type of device does not require an external power source.  
How do I correctly select the paint finish or material construction type?
Pentalift’s standard finish is enamel paint, which is suitable for typical indoor / outdoor industrial applications.  Custom finishes are available depending on specific application requirements, including:  high solids epoxy; food grade epoxy; hot dip galvanizing; stainless steel; etc.  Consult a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.  
If a lift table is being installed in a pit, what safety features are required?
If a lift table is installed into a pre-formed pit, a specific design for personnel protection must be provided. The two most common methods to provide this protection are bevelled toe guards or toe sensor bars (when contacted, stops the downward descent of the platform assembly). Bevelled toe guards are made of steel and slant inward at an angle approximately 30 degrees from vertical. The angle of the toe guard forces a toe or other item just hanging over the edge of the pit, out of the way.  
Can the lift table be integrated, or automated to work with other equipment?
Many Pentalift lift tables have been successfully integrated into various operating systems. Our engineering department will assist in designing and providing the necessary sensors, PLC’s, connections etc. required integrating a complete operating system.  
Is operator training required prior to operating lifts?
All operators and maintenance personnel must know the equipment features and operations as outlined in the owners’ manual provided.
What capacity ranges are lift tables available in?
Pentalift pre-engineered (standard price list) lift tables are available with capacities ranging from 500 lbs. to 40,000 lbs. Pentalift also offers a high capacity series of lift tables with capacities ranging up to 120,000 lbs. Higher capacities are available to suit a wide range of applications.
What Are Approval Drawings for Custom Lift Equipment?

What Are Approval Drawings in Custom Lift Manufacturing? 

Approval drawings are detailed engineering drawings provided during the custom lift manufacturing process to confirm design requirements before production begins.

They are used to ensure the manufacturer fully understands the application and to verify key specifications such as dimensions, features, and equipment layout. These drawings also allow the customer to review the proposed design and confirm it meets operational and installation requirements.

Once the approval drawings are reviewed, signed, and returned, the project is officially released for production scheduling and fabrication.

Why Are Approval Drawings Important?

Approval drawings are important because they:

  • Confirm design accuracy before manufacturing
  • Align engineering and customer requirements
  • Reduce the risk of errors or rework
  • Ensure the lift fits the intended application and space

What Happens After Approval Drawings Are Signed?

After approval drawings are signed and returned, the project moves into production scheduling and manufacturing, ensuring the design is fully confirmed before fabrication begins.