Hydraulic Platform Lift

Hydraulic platform lifts use fluid power to raise and lower loads with precision and control. From small workstation lift tables to massive industrial platforms, hydraulic lifts provide reliable vertical movement for material handling, work positioning, vehicle service, and countless other applications where controlled lifting matters.

Hydraulic lifts dominate industrial lifting applications because of their inherent advantages: smooth operation, high force capability, simple controls, and fail-safe characteristics. Understanding the types, specifications, and selection criteria helps match equipment to specific lifting needs.

How hydraulic lifts work

Basic principles

Hydraulic lifts operate on Pascal's law—pressure applied to confined fluid transmits equally in all directions:

Electric motor drives a hydraulic pump
Pump pressurizes hydraulic fluid
Pressurized fluid extends cylinder(s)
Cylinder movement raises the platform
Lowering releases fluid back to reservoir

Key components

Power unit. Electric motor and hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic cylinder(s). Convert fluid pressure to linear motion.
Control valve. Directs fluid flow for raise/lower/hold.
Reservoir. Stores hydraulic fluid.
Platform/table. The lifting surface.
Frame/base. Structural foundation.
Lifting mechanism. Scissor legs, direct push, or other linkage.

Advantages of hydraulic

High force. Can lift very heavy loads.
Smooth operation. Proportional control, no jerking.
Self-locking. Holds position without power.
Overload protection. Pressure relief prevents damage.
Simple controls. Easy to operate.
Reliable. Proven technology with long service life.

Types of hydraulic platform lifts

Scissor lift tables

Most common type—scissor mechanism multiplies cylinder travel.

Single scissor. Moderate lift height, low collapsed height.
Double/triple scissor. Greater lift height, taller collapsed.
Capacity range. 500-20,000+ kg.
Travel range. 0.5-4+ metres depending on configuration.
Applications. Dock loading, work positioning, mezzanine access.

See our full rise scissor lift guide for details.

Direct push lifts

Cylinder directly raises platform without mechanical advantage.

Design. Cylinder(s) push platform straight up.
Advantage. Simple, minimal moving parts.
Limitation. Requires pit for cylinder in lowered position.
Applications. Vehicle lifts, heavy industrial.

Two-post and four-post lifts

Common in vehicle service applications.

Two-post. Arms swing under vehicle frame/body.
Four-post. Drive-on platforms support tires.
Capacity. Typically 3,000-15,000 kg for vehicles.
Applications. Auto service, inspection, maintenance.

Tilting lift tables

Combine lifting with tilting capability.

Tilt angle. Typically 30-45 degrees.
Applications. Parts presentation, ergonomic access, container dumping.
Variations. Tilt only, lift and tilt combination.

Rotating lift tables

Platform rotates in addition to lifting.

Rotation. Manual or powered, 90° to 360°.
Applications. Welding positioning, assembly, packaging.

Portable/mobile lift tables

Lifts mounted on casters for repositioning.

Mobility. Move to where work is needed.
Locking. Must lock wheels during use.
Capacity. Typically lower than stationary.

See our mobile scissor lift tables guide.

Dock lifts

Designed for loading dock applications.

Travel. Typically 1.5-2 metres to span truck height variations.
Features. Pit-mounted, edge-of-dock integration.
Capacity. High capacity for pallet loads.

Personnel lifts

Designed to lift workers (additional safety requirements).

Requirements. Guardrails, gates, interlocks, emergency lowering.
Compliance. Must meet OSHA, ANSI, and local codes.
Applications. Maintenance access, aircraft service, stage equipment.

Specifications

Key specifications

Specification	Description
Capacity	Maximum safe working load (kg or lb)
Lowered height	Platform height when fully down
Raised height	Maximum platform height
Vertical travel	Difference between lowered and raised
Platform size	Working surface dimensions (L x W)
Lift speed	Rate of rise (m/min or sec to full height)
Lower speed	Rate of descent
Motor power	HP or kW of drive motor
Duty cycle	Continuous vs. intermittent operation

Typical specification ranges

Type	Capacity	Travel	Platform Size
Small lift table	500-1,000 kg	0.5-1 m	0.5x0.5 to 1x1 m
Standard lift table	1,000-4,000 kg	0.8-1.5 m	1x1 to 2x1.5 m
Heavy duty	4,000-10,000 kg	1-2 m	1.5x1.5 to 3x2 m
Full rise scissor	500-5,000 kg	2-4 m	Various

Applications

Ergonomic work positioning

Raise/lower work to comfortable height
Reduce bending and reaching
Assembly and packaging stations
Pallet loading/unloading

Loading dock operations

Accommodate varying truck bed heights
Ground-level loading when needed
Heavy equipment loading

Mezzanine and level transfer

Move materials between levels
Alternative to conveyors or forklifts
Personnel access (with proper guarding)

Vehicle service

Automotive repair
Heavy truck service
Aircraft maintenance
Rail car service

Manufacturing

Die and mold handling
Machine loading
Assembly positioning
Welding and fabrication

Stage and entertainment

Orchestra pit lifts
Stage elevation
Scenery movement

Safety features

Standard safety features

Velocity fuse. Prevents rapid descent if hose fails.
Flow control valve. Limits lowering speed.
Pressure relief. Prevents overload damage.
Limit switches. Stop at top and bottom positions.
Maintenance prop. Mechanical support when working under.
Emergency stop. Immediately stops all motion.

Additional safety options

Toe guards/safety skirts. Cover pinch points on scissor mechanism.
Guardrails. Required for personnel lifts.
Safety gates. At upper level access points.
Light curtains. Detect intrusion into lift area.
Interlocks. Prevent operation with guards open.
Roll-off protection. Prevent loads rolling off platform.

Installation considerations

Floor mounting

Bolted to concrete floor
Floor must support lift plus capacity
Platform above floor when lowered
May need approach ramp

Pit mounting

Platform flush with floor when lowered
Requires pit excavation
Pit depth must accommodate collapsed lift
Drainage considerations for pit

Electrical requirements

Power matching motor requirements
Dedicated circuit often needed
Control wiring for remote operation

Maintenance

Regular maintenance

Check hydraulic fluid level monthly
Inspect for leaks
Lubricate pivot points as specified
Check safety devices
Inspect electrical connections
Clean debris from mechanism

Annual service

Complete hydraulic system inspection
Structural inspection
All safety device testing
Load test at rated capacity
Electrical inspection
Fluid change if needed

Selection criteria

Key questions

What is the maximum load weight?
What platform size is needed?
What vertical travel is required?
Will personnel ride the lift?
Is pit mounting feasible/desired?
What is the duty cycle (lifts per hour)?
Indoor or outdoor?
Any environmental factors (temperature, moisture, corrosive)?

Capacity sizing

Identify maximum load including containers/fixtures
Consider load distribution
Account for impact during loading
Add safety margin (20% typical)

Pricing

Type	Price Range
Small lift table (500 kg)	$1,500-4,000
Standard lift table (2,000 kg)	$3,000-8,000
Heavy duty (5,000 kg)	$6,000-15,000
Double scissor/full rise	$8,000-25,000
Vehicle lifts	$3,000-30,000
Custom industrial	$15,000-100,000+

Top manufacturers

Southworth. Wide range of lift tables.
Presto. Industrial lift equipment.
Advance Lifts. Various configurations.
Bishamon. Ergonomic lift tables.
Vestil. Value-oriented options.
Rotary Lift. Vehicle service lifts.
BendPak. Auto service equipment.