The majority of lift table installations are stationary. The lift table is positioned on the floor surface and using appropriate anchors bolted in position. Lift tables are also installed into a pre formed pit. The lift table is squared in the pit, shimmed to floor level and anchored using appropriate bolts in position.
However many lift table applications require the lift table to be moved from location to location within the facility hence the requirement for lift table to be portable. There are a number of portability options available depending upon the model of lift table.
Consideration should be given to both the stability of the lift table and in particular the even placement and stability of the load on the lift table platform during transportation. Lift tables that are anchored in position can accommodate an uneven loads based on the unit being securely bolted in place; a portable lift table introduces a number of stability concerns if the load is not evenly placed on the lift table platform during transportation.
Fork Pockets: Full length steel tubes are welded to either side of the lift table lower frame. As required a lift truck can pick up a fully lowered lift table and move it to another location within the facility. The majority of portable lift tables have an internal power unit that is first unplugged prior to moving and then electrically re-connected when located in the new position. An alternative is to have the same lift truck accessible full length steel tubes welded to the underside of the lift table frame. Welding the full length tubes to the underside of the frame typically increases the lift table low/closed height by 3”.
Semi- Portable: Â A semi portable design has 2 load rollers welded to one end of the frame and a removable dolly handle on the opposite end of the frame. With the dolly handle removed the lift table lower frame rests flat on the floor during operation. When the work task is completed and the lift table platform is empty the removable dolly handle is engaged. Engaging the removable dolly handle lifts one end of the frame up from the floor and the slight angle and transfers the weight to the load rollers on the opposite end of the frame. Using the dolly handle the operator easily moves the lift table to another location, when in location the dolly handle is removed lowering the frame down to floor level ready for operation. Semi- Portable lift tables are designed to be moved empty only. If this option is applied to larger lifts it can result in a lift table that is heavy to move and has a large turning radius.
Page 5 of this link shows an example of a semi portable lift table https://www.pentalift.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ProSeries.pdf
Portable: Portable lift tables have a structural sub frame below the lift table’s standard lower frame. This structural sub frame is typically equipped with 2 fixed casters on one end and 2 swivel casters on the opposite end of the sub frame. This design is moved manually from location to location and can be moved empty or fully loaded but only when in the fully lowered position.
Tracked Portability:Â Starting with a portable design incorporating a structural sub frame the four casters are fixed. It is common for 2 casters on one side to be V groove steel rollers and on the opposite side of the frame both casters are flat steel rollers. The V groove steel casters run on an inverted angle iron that is bolted to the floor in a straight back and forth line, the flat steel casters run on a length of steel flat bar that is also bolted to the floor. Tracked portability can be moved empty or loaded in the lowered position. Depending upon the load capacity they can be moved manually or power driven.
For additional information on Pentalift portable lift tables please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.