• 1. Rolling friction – Impact on the pushing resistance of lift tables
  • 1.1 Which factors determine rolling friction?
  • 1.2 Rolling friction explained: From racing bikes to lift table
• 2. Practical example: Scissor lift table in use
  • 2.1 Calculation of the rolling resistance
  • 2.2 Calculation of the acceleration force
  • 2.3 Ergonomic assessment
• 3. Theory vs. Practice: How easy is it really to push a lift table?
• 4. Do you have any questions?

In addition to our stationary lift tables, we also offer mobile models. Many users, especially those working with manually movable lift tables, often ask: How easy is it to actually push a lift table?
In this article, we explain which factors influence rolling resistance and what to consider when handling a mobile lift table.

When a technician talks about 'rolling,' they mean the rolling motion of a wheel over a surface – without sliding. The force required for this is determined by rolling friction.

The level of rolling friction primarily depends on two factors:

1. The mass to be moved – meaning the weight of the lift table itself and the load placed on it.
2. The material pairing – for example, polyamide wheels on a concrete floor.

While surface roughness plays a significant role in other types of friction, rolling friction is mainly influenced by the material pairing. This is because the majority of the required force is needed to overcome the deformation (hysteresis) of the wheel.

A great example of the importance of rolling friction is the difference between a racing bike tire and a regular bicycle tire:

• Racing bike tires have higher air pressure, which reduces deformation and requires less energy to roll.
• Regular bicycle tires are softer, deform more and generate higher rolling resistance, meaning more effort is needed when pedaling.

The same principle applies to lift tables: To minimize deformation, we primarily use polyamide wheels, as they have lower rolling resistance compared to rubber tires.

However, the lowest rolling resistance is found in scissor lift tables with steel wheels on guide rails, as there is virtually no wheel deformation.

The result shows that pushing the lift table – even with a load of 2,000 kg – is generally not a problem. However, the decisive factor is not just the pushing force but, more importantly, the force required to accelerate the total mass.

To accelerate the scissor lift table to 1 m/s within 10 seconds, an initial pushing force of 230 N is required. The shorter the desired acceleration time, the greater the required force.

The German Professional Organisation (Berufsgenossenschaft) assumes that:

• 95% of men can generate a maximum pushing force of 300 N.
• only 30% of men can handle a maximum pushing force of 600 N.

For prolonged tasks, a pushing force of 15% of the maximum strength is recommended – this corresponds to approximately 45 to 90 N (read the brochure Manual pulling and pushing of loads by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)).

Comparing these values with our calculation results, it becomes clear that the scissor lift table can be accelerated and pushed by a single person. However, for larger lift tables or heavier loads, two people are required.

The above calculation example shows that our sturdy scissor lift tables can be pushed relatively easily – at least in theory. However, in practice, additional factors can significantly increase the required force, such as small obstacles like stones or uneven surfaces.

To facilitate handling and reduce workload, additional support through an electro-hydraulic drive can often be a useful solution.

Would you like to see how a mobile lift table with an electro-hydraulic drive works? Then take a look at the following video:

We are happy to assist you! Contact us by phone or e-mail – we’re here to help:

? Phone: +49 5939 96796-90
? E-mail:  info@j-lifte.com