Choosing the Right Machinery Lift for Your Needs

Choosing a machinery lift for your workspace can seem like a daunting task. At the start of 2023, 56% of manufacturing employees surveyed said they planned to leave their current jobs. Employee retention is a major concern. Improving safety and technology in the workplace can help you attract and retain the talent you need.

Better ergonomics can help your personnel work more efficiently while reducing the chances of job-related injuries. Ergonomics fits the job physically to the worker. OSHA recommends implementing ergonomic processes as a way to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Ergotronix will work with you to find the right ergonomic machinery lift for your work site. You have several factors to consider. Learn more about what to look for in a machinery lift and how the experts at Ergotronix can help.

Look at the Machinery Lift Capacity

One key factor when choosing a machinery lift is the weight of the load you’ll be lifting.

Manufacturers like Ergotronix include a capacity rating on the equipment. Exceeding this capacity is dangerous for your personnel and the machinery. Planning for a safety margin in addition to the weight of your heaviest load keeps the work site safer.

Calculate the Available Space

Carefully measuring the space you have available for the lift will help you avoid major problems later. You don’t want the lift to arrive only to discover you can’t get it where you need it.

Calculating your available space is more than simply taking measurements, though. The machinery lift needs to fit as smoothly as possible into the workspace. Easy access to the equipment and maneuverability around it are essential.

Consider Your Flow of Goods

You have different traffic patterns to consider depending on how you plan to use your machinery lift. If you need to lift a high volume, you can find equipment designed for faster lifting. This helps improve productivity.

If you need to lift and transport, Ergotronix helps you follow the most efficient paths through the facility. Look for equipment that helps you optimize your use of space. For example, you may need the capacity to navigate confined spaces easily.

Verify Access to the Right Power Source

The different types of lift equipment have several possible sources of power: electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic. Access to the power source you need is a key factor in choosing a machinery lift.

Electric lifts are quieter than other options. They have no leakage. This eliminates possible environmental hazards and reduces maintenance.

Pneumatic lifts rely on compressed air. They’re safe for hazardous environments, including flammable areas. Pneumatic actuators don’t create magnetic interference.

Hydraulic lifts use energy from pressurized fluid. They’re very robust and powerful, but leakage can create a hazardous environment.

You need convenient and reliable access to whatever power source your lift will require.

Stationary vs Portable Applications

You have the choice of a stationary or portable lift. A stationary machinery lift is installed as a fixed part of the workspace. Stationary lifts are typically very sturdy.

However, you can only use a stationary lift in a single location. If your needs change, adapting to the new requirements takes longer.

A portable lift gives you more flexibility. You can move it around the facility to accommodate different workflows. You may be able to save money by purchasing a single lift and moving it around instead of purchasing multiple stationary units.

Be sure to check the lift’s power requirements. Then you can ensure that the location you want to choose has access to the right power source.

One potential downside of portable lifts is their lifting capacity. They may not be able to handle the same loads as a stationary unit. You can verify the weight rating in the datasheet.

A portable lift may not be the best choice if you think you’ll eventually need to use a lift in two locations at the same time. Two or more stationary lifts may let you expand more easily.

Consider the Service Environment

The conditions at the work site affect the features you need in your machinery lift. Lifts that work outdoors in rough terrain have different requirements than a lift inside a warehouse. Factors to consider include:

• Temperature range, including possible extremes
• Presence of moisture
• Presence of flammable, explosive, or otherwise hazardous materials
• Rough surfaces
• Slanted surfaces

The professionals at Ergotronix can work with you to meet other application-specific requirements you may have.

Different Types of Machinery Lift Equipment 

Ergotronix offers solutions for single-function lifting as well as for lifting with transport.

Ergo I Telescopic Lift

For lifting capacity without the need to transport the load, Ergotronix offers powered telescopic lifts. Telescopic lifting columns have many advantages.

Lifting columns have a very small footprint relative to their capacity. They’re very quiet. They can lift precisely and steadily.

The Ergo I has an excellent extension-to-retraction ratio.

With the Ergotronix Ergo I, you can also synchronize multiple units to provide a lift solution for heavier loads with a large volume footprint. 

Ergo Tranz

The Ergo Tranz is a powered hand truck that lets you easily lift and transport products up to 650 lbs. It is offered with many standard as well as customized end effectors to suit any industrial application.

The Ergo Tranz allows for fully variable lift speed and a broad range of safety functions.

The lightweight, single-mast design gives you excellent visibility and maneuverability in tight or narrow spaces.

Choose the Right Machinery Lift with Ergotronix

Choosing the right machinery lift requires considering a range of factors. The features of the lift, like its capacity and power requirements, are important. The way a machinery lift will fit into your workflow is also a key consideration.

The team at Ergotronix can help you find the right solution for lifting and handling industry equipment. Our unique ergonomic lifts play an integral role at many Fortune 500 companies. We can help you improve the health of your workers as well as your bottom line.

Get in touch with the team at Ergotronix today to discuss how we can help you create a safer and more productive workplace.