Although around 90% of the lift tables we sell are stationary models, mobile lift tables with a chassis offer crucial advantages in many applications. They allow flexible load transport and adapt perfectly to specialized production processes.
Applications for lift tables with chassis
Some typical use cases for mobile lift tables:
- As lift table carts: Lift table carts are often used for manual load transport or as flexible workstations in workshops. They allow materials to be moved quickly and efficiently from point A to point B, improving workflows — for example, when used as height-adjustable work lift table.
- As coil loading chairs: These specially designed lift tables enable the loading and unloading of heavy paper or metal coils. Due to the heavy loads, coil loading chairs are often equipped with powered rail chassis.
- For onward transport in production lines: In (semi-)automated production lines, scissor lift platforms with rail chassis are often used. The rails ensure precise positioning of the lift tables and enable the smooth transfer of workpieces.
- As elevating work platforms: Assembly tasks at great heights require flexible and safe solutions. Elevating work platforms with chassis provide the necessary mobility, ensuring that your employees can perform height-related tasks efficiently and safely.
- For special cases: An example from our experience is the Lift table with a rail chassis that was used as a support for an overlying pipe. This case demonstrates that there are often surprising and creative use cases for mobile lift tables.
Whether for flexible use in your workshop or specific production requirements, mobile lift tables offer versatile solutions. Get in touch with us for advice and find the right lift table for your needs.
Types of chassis for lift tables
Various types of chassis are used for lift tables depending on the requirements for mobility and the application. Below, we would like to introduce two common types of chassis in more detail.
First, a small note: Both chassis types are available with or without a drive. Whether a drive is necessary depends on the load to be moved (Can the load be moved manually?) and the intended use (For example, in automated production facilities, a manually movable lift table would not make sense).
Wheeled chassis
The wheel chassis is one of the most commonly used chassis types for our scissor lift tables. It provides flexible transport options through the combination of swivel and fixed casters. The driving performance is also influenced by the type of tread, which is available in various versions.
Tread: Plastic vs. Rubber
Plastic tires are the classic choice in industrial use and offer two advantages over rubber tires:
- Durability: Plastic wheels are more resistant to external influences such as chips and sharp objects. They do not require pressure checks, and there is no risk of a flat tire.
- Lower rolling resistance: Plastic tires have lower rolling resistance compared to rubber tires, making it easier to push the lift table.
For plastic treads, we primarily use polyurethane and polyamide. Polyamide is beneficial when heavy loads need to be moved. Due to the hardness of the material, it offers lower rolling resistance compared to polyurethane. However, the hardness can result in less smooth handling.
If the load to be moved is relatively light, we prefer polyurethane wheels to improve comfort during movement.
Solid rubber and pneumatic tires offer advantages in other areas:
- Off-road capability: These types of tires are suitable to some extent for uneven surfaces. If the floor of the facility is in poor condition, we recommend rubber tires, as they provide better handling comfort.
- Good damping properties: Rubber tires have better shock-absorbing qualities than plastic tires, which is especially useful when transporting fragile goods.
When choosing between solid rubber and pneumatic tires, the key factors are maintenance-free operation and damping: Solid rubber tires are more resistant to sharp objects, while pneumatic tires offer better damping but require regular air pressure checks.
For special applications, specialized wheels are required, such as for mobile stainless steel tables that run on stainless steel rails. In this case, stainless steel wheels are necessary to prevent contact corrosion. Extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperatures or the use of chemicals, also require specific wheel materials.
Types of casters
The wheel chassis usually uses a combination of two swivel and two fixed casters:
- Fixed casters: These have a rigid mounting and are not rotatable, providing stability during transport.
- Swivel casters: These are rotatable wheels that enable steering. They can be equipped with a brake (simple stop) or a double stop (locking both the wheel and the swivel head).
Rail chassis
In addition to the wheel chassis, rail chassis are an alternative solution for mobile lift tables. Compared to plastic or rubber wheels, rail chassis with metal wheels offer significantly lower friction coefficients. This allows even heavier loads to be moved manually or with the help of a small motor.
Another advantage of rail chassis is the favorable ratio of wheel diameter to load capacity, which enables a compact and low-profile design, even with high payloads.
In automated systems, rail chassis are almost indispensable. The various stops of the lift table must be approached with precision, which can only be achieved through the accurate guidance provided by rails.
As with any solution, rail chassis have limitations. Metal wheels provide no damping whatsoever. Additionally, rail chassis only allow forward and backward movements. For changes in direction, additional components such as switches or turntables are required to increase movement flexibility.
Types of Wheels
In rail chassis, a distinction is made between single-flange and double-flange wheels. Double-flange wheels are rarely used in mobile lift tables. This type of wheel makes sense when only one guide rail can be installed and the opposite side is simply a running surface without guiding properties.
More commonly, single-flange wheels are used on both sides of the lift table. These offer greater flexibility, as the tolerable play can still be adjusted on-site with spacers.
Steering types
The following steering types are arranged by their complexity — from simple to more complex solutions.
Forward and backward movement
This basic movement is possible with every chassis. However, some types of chassis allow only this movement, without additional steering options. Examples include rail chassis or setups with only fixed casters.
A typical application of this steering type is the loading and unloading of winding machines. In most cases, the rolled-up reels only need to be removed from the machine area, so that the load can be picked up by a crane or forklift for further transport. Here, it is sufficient to move the lift table a few meters backward and then drive it forward again under the next reel.
Front-wheel or rear-wheel steering
This classic steering type is based on a combination of two swivel casters and two fixed casters and is commonly found in assembly lift tables or simple scissor lift carts. It is cost-effective and efficient when simple steering is required for mobile lift tables.
All-wheel steering
All-wheel steering is a commonly used steering system in which all wheels are swivel casters. These wheels can be controlled either individually or in combination. The advantage of all-wheel steering compared to front- or rear-wheel steering is the significantly smaller turning radius, which leads to greater agility and maneuverability.
However, handling can be challenging for manually operated lift tables. Lift tables with a combination of swivel and fixed casters are easier to keep on track. For this reason, all-wheel steering is typically only used in powered or remote-controlled mobile lift tables.
Crab steering
Crab steering allows for diagonal or sideways movement of a lift table. This type of movement can only be achieved if all four wheels are steerable. Crab steering provides maximum positioning accuracy.
This steering type is mainly used when multiple lift tables are operated in tandem and very large and bulky components, such as wind turbine blades, need to be precisely positioned.
Turning on the spot
The advantage of on-the-spot rotation is obvious: Even with large lift tables, a small turning radius is enabled, ensuring maximum maneuverability in tight spaces.
If you are interested in a mobile lift table, feel free to contact us. We will discuss the various options with you to find the best solution for your requirements.
📞 Phone: +49 5939 96796-90
📧 E-mail: info@j-lifte.com
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