Useful information

by Danille Bettridge, Web Store Specialist

  

What is a lift table?

Lift tables are devices that allow objects to be raised and lowered on a platform to reach ergonomic and accessible heights for specific tasks or purposes. A lift table is typically made up of the following major components:

The Base

• The base supports the rest of the assembly and is located at the bottom of the lift table.
• The base must be strong, rigid, and stable.
• The base is usually made to be placed on the floor, but it can also be built into a pit. It can also include wheels or casters to create a more portable and mobile lift table.

The Legs or Lift Mechanism

• The leg assemblies provide true, level vertical motion while supporting the platform or top. The different types of lifting mechanisms/legs available on lift tables are:
• Scissor - Scissor style lifts are by far the most common type of lift table. The power source moves two sets of legs that are connected by shafts at the center pivot points, as well as at the upper and lower hinged ends. Rollers are attached to the other end of the legs, which move back and forth on the base frame, and along the underside of the platform.
• Screw – These types of lifts rely upon the helical thread of a screw, which moves the table along the length of the screw as it rotates.
• Rack & Pinion - Vertical motion is provided by the drive of a rack (gear) and its related pinion (essentially a linear bar with mating teeth). The rotation of the rack moves the table along the track provided by the pinion.
• Telescoping - Linear platforms are stored within the middle cavity of a larger cylinder, sometimes in several sections, creating a small footprint in retracted form.
• Articulated – These lifts have jointed arms that are extended by the use of linear actuators. These can typically offer some horizontal movement in addition to vertical elevation.
• Chain & Sprocket - A rotating sprocket with a vertically oriented chain drive supplies the required force to raise the lift table.

The Platform (Top)

• Objects that you want lifted are placed on the platform, or top, of the lift table.
• The platform can be any size that is compatible with the base and legs. With most lift tables, the platform can be no smaller than the length or width of legs/base. Within limits, platforms can be larger than the legs/base.

Platforms can have a variety of options such as conveyor tops, turntables, tilt tops, non-slip textures, mounted clamps, or special work fixtures.

The Power Source- the system that provides power to the lift table allowing it to move. The different types of power sources are:

• Manual - Manual lifting is powered by a crank, pump, racket, or screw that relies upon the operator for stimulation. This is prominent in light-duty lift tables, but might be suitable for heavy or high-volume loading.
• Pneumatic - Elevation is accomplished by the use of a pressurized air cylinder in conjunction with a compression mechanism. Occasionally, an air spring is used instead.
• Hydraulic - Pressurized hydraulic fluids power a linear actuator to raise the table. An accompanying hydraulic pump is required.
• Electric - Electric motors provide a rotational power source that can power elevation with the use of a mechanical advantage, such as a rack/pinion drive or a chain lift.

The Control - the remote on the lift table that allows the user to designate the amount of travel. The most common types of lift table controls are:

• Hand operated
• Foot operated

How are lift tables used?

Lift tables can be used in almost any industry, indoors and outdoors. Industries that commonly use lift tables include woodworking, manufacturing, metalworking, paper, printing and publishing, warehousing and distribution, drafting, equipment and vehicle service, heavy machinery, and transportation. Common uses of lift tables include:

• Vehicle loading and docking operations

• Work positioning and ergonomic handling

• Load positioning (such as when integrated into conveyor systems)

• Work piece feeding/offloading

• Furniture upholstery

• Dog grooming

• Accessing high work

• Handling long and/or heavy work pieces

• Multilevel handling and assembling

• Loading and unloading pallets

• Working under or over equipment and vehicles

What are the most important considerations when deciding on a lift table?

• Capacity - This is the maximum weight the table is rated to handle. Tables capable of lifting five [short] tons or more are common.

• Size - This includes the physical dimension of the lift table including the base and platform that would be compatible with the objects that you plan to lift.

• Elevation - This is the elevation capability of lift table, from collapsed height to fully elevated height. Depending on how the lift table is to be used, it might also be important to consider how long the platform takes to move up and down.

• Power Source- Depending on the location you plan on using the lift table at, it may be necessary to consider to what type of power you will have access to in order to operate the lift table. See “Power Source” above for the different power source options.

• Special Features - Depending on how you plan to use the lift table, you might need it to do more than simply travel vertically. For instance, you might need a rotating platform, mobile base, tilting platform, and so on.

Lift tables are designed to fit your needs. There are infinite options you can choose from; making lift tables a great solution to improve various everyday tasks in many work places. Contact us at  store@raymondhandling.com or 1-844-445-1119 if you need assistance in selecting a customized lift table or have any questions .

You can view our featured lift table selection by clicking here> Warehouse Lift Tables

by Danille Bettridge, Web Store Specialist

Column protectors are guards that fit on posts, beams, pipes, columns, or any vertical surface. Column protectors serve as a buffer between the surface and possible collisions, absorbing the impact. What are benefits of column protectors?

• Helps prevent damage to the racking and/or column it is protecting
• Significantly reduces the chance of damage from a collision to the forklift, vehicle, or person
• Decreases repair expenses sustained by racking and forklifts during a collision
• Bright color options Increase their visibility to forklift operators and act as guides warning people approaching to keep a safe distance.
• Minimizes obstruction that might occur from a collision
• Ranges in pricing to fit any budget
• Easy Installation options are available
• Little to no maintenance is required once installed

What are the different types of column protectors? It is important to choose the right protector for the job. There are a number of options you should consider:

• Size
  • Width: Choose a width that matches the amount of available space, the desired type of column protector material you would like, and the width of the vertical space you want to protect.
  • Height: Column protectors are available in customizable sizes, but standard sizes run from 12 inches to 12 feet, and some may be stacked one atop the other to provide additional height coverage.
  • Shape: Some column protectors come in molded shapes with cut outs in the center to fit tightly against I-shaped, square, and round verticals. Most are cylindrical to create an equal barrier around the column, but some are cube- or hexagon-shaped.
  • Pieces: Most column protectors are usually two-piece units that are fastened around the vertical. However, a few column protectors are single-piece, pliable units that wrap around the vertical.
• Color
  • Yellow (most common color)
  • Lime green
  • Orange
  • Multi-colored (usually striped with black and a bright color)
  • Reflective (usually added to a solid color)
• Material
  • Polyethylene protectors: Polyethylene protectors are made to have a cushion of air between the column and its outside wall to absorb any impact. This type of material is the most commonly used kind of column protector in material handling industries. Polyethylene protectors tend to be thicker than other kinds of protectors.
  • Steel protectors: Steel protectors employ heavy-duty strength and a bolt system to withstand a collision. While they are heavier than some other kinds of column protector materials, they tend to be thinner in overall diameter, taking up less space around the column.
  • Vinyl protectors: Vinyl protectors are also known as "bumper wraps." Vinyl protection material runs about ½ inch thick and comes in a roll that allows you to cut to a custom size. This kind of protection material is commonly used at car dealerships and shopping centers to protect light poles from minor collisions.
  • Foam Protectors: Foam protectors, also known as "padded column wraps," have a padded center with a nylon cover to help reduce collision damage. Foam protectors are commonly used in parking garages for minor impacts, such as those caused by car doors.
• Fastening
  • Velcro straps: Velcro straps are generally made of nylon, and wrap around the column protector to secure it to the surface. Velcro straps are easy to install and maintain. They are available in multiple colors including reflective finish.
  • Bolts: Bolts fasten pieces of the column protector together, and can also fasten it to the ground.
  • Snap fasteners: Snap fasteners use a four-rivet connection attached to the column protector that locks into an upright column.
  • Cable ties: Cable ties wrap around the column protector to fasten it in place.
  • Reflective tape: Reflective tape wraps around lighter duty column protectors in place. They come in a variety of colors.

How much does a column protector cost?

• Each column protector can range in price from $15 to more than $1,000, depending on the type, as described earlier in this article.
• Column protectors that use non-standard options are more expensive since they require special customization.

Check out our many column protector options available at the Materials Handling Store by clicking here.

 

by Danille Bettridge, Web Store Specialist

While looking at Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation's (RHCC) materials handling web store, you might come across an item called a spill kit, but you might not know what they are or why they're important.

What is a battery spill kit? It is a package of materials and supplies that are used to clean up and neutralize battery acid spills.

Battery spills can happen when replacing batteries with cracked cases, which allow the acid to leak. RHCC's battery spill kits meet the following OSHA and DOT requirements for packaging and transporting hazardous wastes:

• 1926.441(a)(5)- “Face shields, aprons, rubber gloves and quick drenching facilities shall be provided for workers handling acids or batteries”
• 1910.178(g)(2)- “Facilities shall be provided for neutralizing spilled electrolyte”
• OSHA Regulation 1910.132- “All employers must provide equipment for cleaning up hazardous materials such as battery acid”

What are the contents of a spill kit?

The kits include the following pieces of wearable gear to ensure that your workers are dressed protectively when cleaning up battery acid:

• Apron to cover body and clothing
• Acid resistant gloves to protect hands
• Safety goggles to shield eyes
• Disposable boot covers to protect shoes and feet
• Dust mask to cover mouth and nose
• Face shield for protection of the face

All of RHCC's spill kits found in our Materials Handling Store are designed to help you quickly respond to and clean up battery acid spills. Each item in our kits is strategically packed so you can quickly dress yourself in the safety gear, contain the spill, neutralize and absorb the acid, and DOT-approved containers for transporting and disposing of the acid and clean up supplies. The kit also includes all the necessary tools for a proper battery acid clean-up:

• Bucket or barrel with locking lid
• Brush and pan
• Disposable plastic bags
• Danger sign
• Six-foot barrier rope
• Absorb bags and containers
• pH test strips
• Large kits include neutralizing/absorb pillows

How to use a spill kit

• All employees that work in environments with batteries need to be trained on where to find and how to use a spill kit in the event of a battery acid spill.
• Employees should learn the procedures to follow during and after the clean-up of an acid spill, to ensure proper clean-up and disposal.
• It is important to remember the proper packing of a spill kit, in the case the kit is unpacked and then not re-packed in the proper order. It is to be packed in the order that you will need the materials to allow the acid spill to be cleaned up in the quickest and most thorough way possible. Refer to the information found in your kit, but the general packing order is as follows:

• Assuring that everyone is properly trained and that the kit is set-up in the most efficient way possible creates a more prepared environment in case of a battery acid spill.