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
The common dynamic total load multiplier is 2.5 when calculating capacity for standard dock leveler applications. However, dynamic total load multiplier can range from 2.0 to 5.0, depending on the severity of the application and the manufacturer. Since there is no recognized industry standard, manufacturers rate their capacities differently. Some may use lower multipliers to be more competitively priced or leave the impression that their particular dock leveler is stronger than other manufacture... Read More
A Tandem Lift Table is a table that is used for an application in which the platform’s length needs to be much longer than the platform’s width. Tandem Lift Tables are generally used to assist lengthy and narrow applications such as long pieces of wood, 2x4’s or hydro poles. To support the oversized load, there are 2 sets of scissor legs under the table’s platform to accommodate the load it is lifting. Tandem lift tables cost more than standard lift tables but are the perfect piece of eq... Read More
A number of years ago, Pentalift was successful in assisting a foundry and their requirements in the initial design stages. The foundry recently contacted Pentalift with the details of another project providing the same service as the original design with some modifications. For the history behind the first project, please click here. To see many different examples of our custom lift tables please click here
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There are 3 different operating types of lift tables. They are hydraulic, pneumatic and self leveling. All 3 styles are different but have their benefits, depending on what the application is. Hydraulic lift tables offer the widest range of features and customization regarding platform size, capacity, vertical travel, and safety features. Pneumatic lift tables are offered in an air bag design which is limited to 24” of travel. The air bag lift tables may be limited but if an airline is the onl... Read More
Drive on lift tables are lift tables that that do not require a ramp or pit. They are normally used with a pallet truck or cart in an ergonomic palletizing application, keeping the product at a good working height. The majority of pallets range in size up to 48” wide by 54” long. Standard drive on lift table platforms are available in sizes up to 50” wide by 54” long. Custom drive on lift tables are available to suit many wider and longer applications. Some applications use a drive on li... Read More
Air bag lift tables are limited in their vertical travel. You cannot get an air bag style lift table with a vertical travel greater than 24”. If more than 24” of vertical travel is required, a hydraulic lift table with an air motor is available. An air bag lift table also does not offer a velocity fuse as an option. In the case that an air bag was to be punctured or cut, the table would drop to floor level. Air Bag lift tables are limited to 6,000 lbs maximum capacity as standard and are als... Read More
Choosing between a hydraulic dock leveler and mechanical dock leveler depends on what is most important to the user. Mechanical dock levelers cost less than hydraulic dock levelers, but mechanical dock levelers do require periodic (2 times a year) adjustable maintenance throughout use of the equipment. Hydraulic levelers can handle higher load capacities and also operate more easily than mechanical dock levelers, due to a manual push button that operates the power unit. While hydraulic dock leve... Read More
The reason lift tables have various horse power ratings is strictly to achieve typical speeds of vertical travel. The quicker the oil can be pumped into a cylinder, the quicker the cylinder extends, increasing the lift speed. Generally, the higher the capacity of the lift table, the more cylinders the lift table will require. In order to maintain typical lift speeds of 10 – 12 feet per minute, a higher rated power unit is used to achieve these speeds.
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When a customer gets in contact with a lift table provider, there are a minimum of 5 questions the customer should expect to get asked. The questions are: How much vertical travel would you like the lift table to have? What platform size would you like the table to have? Is this table going to be installed on the floor or installed in a pit? What voltage is available to run this table? Can I have a brief description of your application? These 5 questions are the basics of putting together a simp... Read More