The most significant change is not actually in the lift table design but the new and innovative ways that lift tables are being used. In this competitive environment many companies are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiencies and save money. Lift table manufacturers that provide custom designed lift and positioning equipment are seeing more and more innovative inquiries from customers as they look for ways to streamline their processes. Even long term tried and proven processes are no... Read More
Hot dip galvanizing is often specified in highly corrosive or repeated wash down applications. Common applications would be food processing facilities and chemical processing facilities. Preparing for the hot dip galvanizing process the equipment is built, tested then dismantled and sent to the galvanizer in sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies are first dipped into an acid solution for cleaning, once cleaned dipped into a hot (approximately 850 degree) molten zinc galvanizing solution. The extrem... Read More
Not all Low Profile Dock Lifts are ordered with wear plates and retaining cradles but the majority definitely are. Conventional Dock Lifts have a lower steel frame assembly. This steel frame assembly serves a number of functions, 2 of which are the scissor lift leg rollers run back and forth on this steel frame when cycled and the steel frame has provision for lag bolting the dock lift into position during the installation process. To achieve the low profile dock lift feature one of the componen... Read More
Self leveling lift tables are very common in palletizing or de-palletizing applications. When empty self leveling lift tables store in the raised position, in a palletizing application first an empty pallet is placed on the platform. As product is moved onto the pallet the increased weight automatically lowers the lift table keeping the operators work height at an ergonomically correct position. When the lift table is fully lowered the pallet is full. A lift truck is then required to engage the ... Read More
LTNI stands for “Lift and Tilt Non-Intrusive”. Components are often shipped in bins and during the loading and unloading process a combination of a lift table and a tilter positions the bin in the most ergonomically correct position for the operator. Conventional tilters force the operator to step back when the bin is tilted towards them. In many applications where there are no space restrictions this model of lift and tilt works well. The Pentalift LTNI is a combination of a lift and tilt t... Read More
Technically they don’t require a higher HP power unit to operate but almost every time they are specified. A lift table power unit consists of 5 primary components, electric motor, hydraulic pump, hydraulic valve, oil reservoir and a control station. As lift tables increase in lifting capacity more cylinders are used in the structural design to lift the load. Additional lift cylinders increase the volume of hydraulic oil required to operate the lift table. To provide a suitable lift speed a la... Read More
Although there is a common perception that accordion bellows are a safety device they are not promoted as such. The primary purpose of lift table accordion bellows is to prevent debris from getting under the lift table and interfering with the leg rollers, power unit etc. Many companies mandate that all lift tables within their facility be equipped with accordion bellows to prevent debris from getting under the platform and the yellow accordion bellows also serve as a highly visible signal that ... Read More
When would you order a lift table with a remote power unit? Many designs of lift tables have the electric power units designed to be self-contained or internal. In some cases such as a wash down application, a paint shop environment etc. it is common to order the lift table with a remote power unit to avoid potential sparking. The speed of a lift table is often an important factor in a lift table application, to increase the lift/lower speed a larger pump/motor assembly is required and physicall... Read More
The majority of lift tables are designed to be cycled 8 times per hour during an 8 hour shift, 5 days a week. In an application that needs more cycles than the standard amount, lift tables are recommended to be equipped with a high cycle package. A high cycle package consists of cam followers in place of leg rollers, spherical bearings in place of bushings, and often equipped with a central lubrication system. In addition to these components, high cycle lift tables are often specified with a con... Read More
Lift tables that are placed in a pit require different features than a lift table that is lagged to the floor. When a lift table is placed in a pit, it introduces potential pinch point between the underside of the platform and the pit wall. In order to minimize pinch point hazards, lift tables are required to either have bevel toe guards or electric toe sensors. Bevel toe guards are steel plates on the side of the table positioned at approximately a 30 degree angle towards the frame to provide p... Read More