5. Motor / Power Pack / Power Source – Hydraulic lift tables are commonly powered by an electric motor. They can also be powered pneumatically via a high pressure industrial air compressor. Many lift tables will have a self contained motor such as the unit above (motor is located behind cylinders on reverse side). Some lifts will require a remote power pack that is located off to the side of the unit.

4. Hydraulic Cylinders – The raising and lowering of the unit is actuated by high pressure hydraulic cylinders. On the average Hydraulic Scissor Lift table, the number of cylinders will typically vary from 1 to as many as 4 cylinders.

Scissor Lift Table Operation

Raising the Lift Table Platform

The hydraulic lift table raises as the motor pushes oil into the ram cylinder. After raising the unit and the motor has stopped, the oil stays in the hydraulic cylinder and the lift stays in the raised position thanks to a simple check valve.

The speed at which the lift table will raise under a full load is contingent upon a few different variables. Tables with higher capacities and travel will generally rise slower than light capacity short travel lifts.

Another component to consider is the motor horsepower. To increase speed, one may want to order a unit with a higher horsepower. However keep in mind, more horsepower is not always better and in fact can be detrimental to the structure. Using a 3HP motor instead of a 2HP motor could be enough to wear out the structure of the lift table 2 or 3 times faster than if the 2HP motor was used. The difference is a hard start vs. a soft start. Whats a “start” you might ask? A start is anytime someone pushes the up button and the motor engages to raise the platform. The structure of the lift table experiences the greatest stress at the start. Bumping the motor up to a unnecessary 3HP increases the amount stress the structure will encounter that much more than the appropriate 2HP motor.

Lastly, one of the most overlooked factors that determine lift speed is the voltage. A 230 or 460 volt 3-phase motor will generally raise the lift twice as fast as a 110-115 volt 1-phase motor.