Hydraulic Scissor Lift Tables Vs. Electric Scissor Lifts

According to OSHA, nearly two million workers experience work-related musculoskeletal orders every year, and about 600,000 of those people lose time from work as a result. The right material handling equipment (MHE) can help employers solve that issue — and in many operations, lift tables are an essential part of the equation.

Scissor lift tables fall into two broad categories: 

• Hydraulic scissor lift tables use fluid pressure to raise, lower, and position the load.
• Electric scissor lifts use an electric motor, which usually means faster lifting speeds with a lower total capacity. 

If you’re purchasing MHE for your facility, those basic descriptions may give you enough information to narrow your search. But to make a truly informed decision, you’ll need to understand the advantages of each option.

In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview of hydraulic and scissor lifts and explain a few common use cases. To discuss material handling equipment with an expert, call 1-800-247-9500 and speak with a member of our sales team.

Hydraulic Scissor Lift Tables: High Capacity, Minimal Maintenance

From pallet lift tables to aerial work platforms, all scissor lift tables work on the same basic principle: Scissor legs are attached by a rolling fulcrum. The traveling leg moves backwards to extend the “scissor" and raise the load, then moves forward to lower the load. The difference is in the mechanism that powers the linear actuators, which can be pneumatic, electro-mechanical, or hydraulic.

For more about the basics, read: Industrial Lift Tables: Choosing Between Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Electro-Mechanical Designs. 

Hydraulic scissor lift tables utilize a system of interconnected hydraulic cylinders and pumps to raise and lower the platform. When hydraulic fluid is pumped into the cylinders, it creates pressure that extends the cylinders and raises the platform. 

A hydraulic lifting mechanism provides several key benefits:

• High Load Capacity: Hydraulic systems can generate significant force. Standard BHS models can handle loads of up to 10,000 lbs.
• Durability and Stability: With features like heavy-duty formed-steel construction and floor-mounting tabs, BHS hydraulic Lift Tables are built for longevity — even in demanding environments.
• Lower Initial Cost: Hydraulic lifts usually have a lower upfront cost compared to electric models.
• Minimal Maintenance: Hydraulic systems are relatively simple and require less frequent maintenance.
• No “Cool-Off" Time: High-use electric lift tables can generate a lot of heat, which needs to be dissipated. Engineering controls can address this issue, but hydraulic lifts don’t require cool-down intervals whatsoever.

What About Coasting, Drifting, and Leaking?

As you might have guessed, all of these advantages are influenced by the design of the table. A hydraulic lift with low-quality cylinders will need more maintenance than a high-quality electric lift, and might have a higher long-term cost — not to mention the added costs of issues like coasting, drifting, and leak down, which impact the precision of the lift (and may prevent workers from doing their jobs). 

That’s partly why hydraulic lifts have a mixed reputation among workers: Poorly designed tables can be frustrating to work with (and potentially dangerous, depending on the load). 

BHS Lift Tables utilize braided, heavy-duty wire for durability, along with hardened chrome piston rods to create a superior seal. All systems also include thermal overload protection, and a velocity fuse instantly locks ruptured lines. Those features effectively address the main disadvantages of hydraulic lifts. 

Use Cases for Hydraulic Scissor Lifts

Our lift tables are able to lift high-capacity loads cleanly, efficiently, and precisely, which makes them ideal for the vast majority of industrial operations. With that in mind, hydraulic lifts are most effective when: 

• Heavy loads are common: Manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and workshops often need to lift heavy equipment or materials, and electric lifts may not provide sufficient capacity.
• Durability is essential: Outdoor environments, rugged terrain, and heavy-duty use cases may necessitate hydraulic lifts.
• Infrequent lifting is needed: Workstations where lifting is less frequent may benefit from the lower cost and minimal maintenance.

Electric Scissor Lift Tables: Precise Positioning, Fast Lift Speeds

Electric scissor lift tables use an electric motor to drive a screw or actuator mechanism that raises and lowers the platform. This design offers an few advantages:

• Precise Control and Positioning: Electric lifts offer precise control over lifting and lowering speeds, allowing for accurate positioning of loads with less “drift.”
• Faster Lifting Speeds: Electric motors provide rapid lifting and lowering, improving efficiency in fast-paced operations.
• Quieter Operation: Compared to hydraulic systems, electric lifts operate quietly.
• Cleanliness: Electric lifts eliminate the risk of fluid leaks associated with hydraulic systems, so they’re often more suitable for food processing facilities and other clean environments.

Once again, these advantages are largely dependent on the design of the table. Electric lifts that generate a great deal of heat might be effectively slower and less accurate than comparable hydraulic tables.

Use Cases for Electric Scissor Lifts

Electric scissor lifts are well-suited for applications where:

• Precision is key: Lifts can be precise with appropriate engineering, but electric lifts with ball screw actuators can achieve extreme levels of precision. That may be useful in certain assembly lines, laboratories, and food processing facilities.
• Lift speeds are crucial: Electric lifts can raise and lower loads quickly, which can be beneficial in some work environments.
• Quiet operation is essential: In offices, hospitals, and other noise-sensitive environments, electric units might be preferable.

Choosing Between Hydraulic and Electric Lift Tables

When selecting between hydraulic and electric scissor lift tables, carefully consider your application's specific needs and priorities. Evaluating factors like load capacity, speed, precision, maintenance requirements, cost, and environmental impact will help you get the best return on your investment. 

BHS can build custom scissor lift tables to meet your operation’s unique needs. Whether you need a certain lift height, capacity, or roller tabletops, we’re able to deliver custom material handling solutions with reliable lead times. Fill out our custom manufacturing form to learn more.

	Feature	Hydraulic	Electric
	Load Capacity	Typically higher.	Typically lower.
	Speed	Slower.	Faster.
	Precision	Typically lower (dependent on design).	Typically higher.
	Maintenance	Less frequent.	More frequent.
	Cost	Lower initial cost.	Higher initial cost.
	Noise	Can be louder.	Quiet.
	Environment	Potential for fluid leaks without appropriate engineering controls.	Clean operation.

Find the Right Material Positioning Equipment for Your Business

Hydraulic lifts excel in heavy-duty applications, and they’re an excellent choice for most operations — but electric lifts may be a better option in some cases.

It’s important to remember that base models aren’t the only option. Customization can help you use lift tables effectively on day one: When your material handling equipment is built for the way you work, it’s a more powerful resource for your operation. 

Whether you’re integrating lift tables into an assembly line, setting up permanent workstations, or looking for new ways to support worker ergonomics, BHS can help you find a solution. Call 1-800-247-9500 to find a Lift Table that fits your business’s workflow.