How to Choose the Right Scissor Lift Table for Your Manufacturing Facility
Scissor lift tables are used in manufacturing facilities to raise, lower, and position materials at the height needed for a particular task. They can make loading, assembly, and material handling easier by reducing the need for workers to repeatedly bend, reach, or manually reposition heavy items.
Choosing the right lift table starts with understanding what you're lifting, how the equipment will be used, and where it needs to operate.
Load capacity is important, but it isn't the only consideration. Platform size, lifting height, frequency of use, and how materials are loaded can all affect which system makes sense for your facility.
Here's what to consider before selecting an industrial scissor lift table.
1. Start With What You Need the Lift Table to Do
Before comparing equipment, look at the task the lift table needs to perform.
For example, are you:
Raising pallets or containers to a more accessible working height?
Positioning heavy components during assembly?
Transferring materials between workstations?
Loading or unloading equipment?
Adjusting the height of materials throughout a production process?
These applications can have very different requirements.
A table used occasionally to position components may need a different lifting mechanism than one operating repeatedly throughout a production shift. Similarly, a system supporting a long assembly fixture may require a different platform design than one handling standard pallets.
The first step is to define the task, then choose the equipment around it.
2. Determine the Required Load Capacity
The maximum weight of the material is one of the first specifications you'll need.
However, selecting a lift table involves more than matching its rated capacity to the weight of your heaviest load.
You should also consider:
The weight of the material and any fixtures or containers
Whether loads will be centered or positioned toward one side
How the weight is distributed across the platform
Whether materials will be transferred onto or off the table
Whether future applications may require additional capacity
For example, a 2,000-pound load distributed evenly across a platform may place different demands on the equipment than the same load concentrated near one edge.
Lift tables can have specific requirements for uneven loading, so it's important to confirm the manufacturer's ratings and operating limits for your application.
Choosing equipment with a higher capacity rating doesn't automatically solve every loading problem. The platform, support structure, and intended operating conditions still need to be evaluated.
3. Choose the Right Platform Size
The platform needs to support the material being lifted while fitting into the available working area.
A platform that's too small may not properly accommodate the load. An unnecessarily large platform could create clearance problems or take up valuable production space.
Consider the dimensions of the material, where it will sit on the platform, and whether workers need access from one or multiple sides.
For long materials or large assemblies, a standard rectangular platform may not be suitable.
Manufacturers such as Presto Lifts offer several platform arrangements, including standard scissor lift tables, wide-base designs, and tandem lifts for longer loads.
The best choice depends on the shape of the material and how the lifting system needs to support it.
4. Check the Lifting Height and Available Space
The table needs to reach the required working height, but its fully lowered height matters too.
For example, if you're loading pallets with a pallet jack, a standard lift table may sit too high off the floor to allow direct loading.
In that situation, a low-profile or floor-height lift table may be more appropriate.
Presto's XZ Series, for example, includes floor-height lift tables designed to allow loading and unloading with a hand pallet truck.
Before choosing a system, identify:
The height at which materials will be loaded
The lowest working position required
The highest working position required
Available clearance above and around the table
Whether the equipment will be floor-mounted or installed in a pit
Getting these measurements right early helps avoid selecting a lift that doesn't work with the surrounding equipment.
5. Consider How Often the Lift Will Be Used
A lift table operating a few times each day has different demands than one cycling continuously as part of a production process.
How often the table raises and lowers can influence the type of lifting mechanism, power system, and equipment design required.
Presto offers several types of scissor lift tables, including hydraulic, pneumatic, manual, and portable models.
For an occasional lifting task, a manually operated table may be worth considering.
For repetitive applications, a powered system may be more appropriate, depending on the load, required speed, and operating frequency.
It's also important to confirm the manufacturer's recommended operating cycle for the specific model.
The goal is to select equipment that fits the actual production requirement, not just the maximum weight.
6. Think About How Materials Will Be Loaded and Unloaded
A lift table doesn't operate independently of the rest of your facility.
Think about the equipment and processes around it.
Will materials arrive on a pallet jack or forklift? Will an employee place components onto the table manually? Does the table need to align with a conveyor or production workstation?
These details can affect platform height, access, placement, and available equipment options.
For example:
Application | What to consider |
Pallet handling: | A low-profile lift may allow easier loading at floor level. |
Assembly work: | A stationary table may be used to position components at different working heights. |
Long or wide materials: | A tandem or wide-platform design may provide a more suitable arrangement. |
Production-line integration: | A lift table may need additional features or modifications to work with surrounding equipment. |
Planning around the entire material handling process helps ensure the lift table supports the way your facility operates.
7. Review Installation and Facility Requirements
Before selecting a lift table, consider where it will be installed and what the facility can accommodate.
Important questions include:
Is there enough floor space?
Can the floor and supporting structure accommodate the equipment and loads?
What electrical or compressed-air supply is available?
Are there nearby machines, walkways, or obstructions?
Does the facility have any specific environmental or cleaning requirements?
What guarding and operating controls are needed for the intended application?
These details become particularly important when integrating lifting equipment into an existing production area.
A suitable lift table should work with the facility and process without creating unnecessary obstacles.
Where Presto Scissor Lift Tables Fit
Presto Lifts manufactures industrial lifting and positioning equipment for a range of material handling applications.
Its scissor lift table offering includes standard hydraulic tables, portable lifts, floor-height systems, extended-travel designs, and heavy-capacity models.
Different product families address different needs, whether that's positioning a component at a workstation, accommodating a larger platform, or allowing materials to be loaded closer to floor level.
At Norbac, we can help manufacturers review their lifting requirements and identify appropriate equipment options, including Presto products.
The right starting point is the task you need to accomplish, not a particular model number.
What Information Should You Have Before Requesting a Quote?
You don't need to know the exact lift table model before contacting a supplier.
However, having a few details ready can make the selection process more straightforward:
Maximum weight to be lifted
Dimensions and shape of the load
Required minimum and maximum lifting heights
How frequently the lift will operate
How materials will be loaded and unloaded
Available floor space
Power availability
Description of the task or production process
Photographs, drawings, or dimensions of the working area can also help explain the application.
If some details are unknown, start by describing what you need the equipment to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an industrial scissor lift table used for?
Industrial scissor lift tables raise, lower, and position materials for tasks such as assembly, loading, unloading, and material handling. The appropriate design depends on the load and the work being performed.
What size scissor lift table do I need?
Platform size depends on the dimensions of the material, weight distribution, required access, and available floor space. The platform must also be suitable for the manufacturer's specified loading conditions.
Can a scissor lift table be loaded with a pallet jack?
Some models are specifically designed for this purpose. Low-profile and floor-height lift tables can provide loading access that may not be possible with a standard raised-base design.
Are all scissor lift tables hydraulic?
No. Industrial lift tables are available with different lifting mechanisms, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and manually operated systems. The best option depends on how the equipment will be used.
Planning a Scissor Lift Table for Your Facility?
Selecting the right scissor lift table starts with understanding the load, the working height, and the material handling process.
At Norbac, we help manufacturers evaluate industrial equipment requirements and find solutions that fit their operations.
Whether you're planning a new production area, upgrading an existing workstation, or looking for a better way to position heavy materials, bring us the details of your project.
We can help you determine the next step.
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