Hydraulic Lifts

Table lifts and positioners are used for positioning the work material at an ergonomically comfortable access point. Truck or vehicle lifts are used to lift materials to the height of the truck bed for loading. Vehicle lifts come with attachments for mounting at the rear of a vehicle.

Transport companies use such lifts to move goods and materials. A dock lift is similar to a vehicle lift; however, this is mounted at the dock and is used to position material and/or personnel for loading purposes.

Personnel lifts, as the name implies, are used to move workers to materials or the work area. This is done when it is more feasible to move personnel to the work area than to move the work area to the personnel. Such situations can arise when the work has to be done at great heights, or the work area is very large and impossible to move. Forklifts and pallet lifts are used to lift the load from the base or pallets. Forklift trucks are a common sight at docks, warehouses, and storage places. These trucks are used to lift and transport goods at short distances.

Forklifts and pallet lifts are used for loading and unloading, as well as for storage and working purposes. Tilt tables are hollow bins with four sides, (usually) open at the top. These cannot only raise or lower the work piece, but can also tilt at an angle to place it in an ergonomically optimal position to be worked on. The main reason for the widespread use of the hydraulic lift is the benefit it provides by creating ergonomically safe working conditions. This helps to greatly reduce, or even eliminate, the large number of injuries caused to workers by repetitive stress.

Such injuries frequently occur when the job puts physical demands on workers that exceed their physical limitations. Hydraulic lifts help to place the work material easily and safely in positions that are not awkward for the workers. The worker may not only benefit from the better posture, but the lifts can also space the objects so that the job requires the minimum force and labor to do. Creation of such a work friendly environment not only results in reduced injuries, but also more productive workers.

Hydraulic lifts can be helpful in a variety of conditions that are otherwise very demanding or dangerous. They can be used to move materials horizontally as well as vertically. Many hydraulic lifts come with wheels, and are mobile in nature, so they can be used in various situations (the best example being the forklift truck). For sustained use in a repetitive work environment, hydraulic lifts can be permanently fixed and be made a part of the process line.

In a manufacturing workshop, smaller hydraulic lifts are commonly used for holding and moving various products. For employees that are engaged in repetitive motion activities, the tilting, as well as the height adjustment capacities of hydraulic lifts, are very important capabilities for maintaining an ergonomically safe environment.

A hydraulic lift can either be controlled by a remote control, or can be controlled manually, depending on the purpose and the size of the lift. Hydraulic lifts are commonly used in production facilities, auto repair shops, docks, warehouses, construction sites, etc. Strength and sturdiness, along with the dimension requirements of the purpose, are important criteria to consider when selecting a hydraulic lift.

Hydraulic lifts require special care and regular maintenance to make sure they work in the desired manner. Improperly maintained lifts can cause serious injury. As with any hydraulic system, care should always be taken when operating hydraulic lifts. Even when the whole system is shut down, the oil can still be under pressure, which can be very dangerous if not handled properly. Leaks of hydraulic fluid are especially dangerous, as they are at very high pressure, and have the capability of puncturing human skin.

Care should be taken to allow only those people that are properly trained in the use of hydraulic lifts and positioning vehicles to operate the equipment. The required hydraulic pressure should always be maintained, and should never be allowed to surpass the recommended levels. The lift area should be kept clean of dirt, oil, tools, grit, etc., and a hydraulic lift should never be overloaded.