Are you looking for hydraulic scissor lifts suppliers in the UK? Our Manchester and Cheshire based supplier offers garage equipment including hydraulic scissor lifts.
What are scissor lift tables used for?
A scissor lift table is a lifting platform commonly used for handling goods and materials in industries such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, packaging, production lines, construction, and food.
A lift table is operated through the raising and lowering of hydraulic cylinders. An industry-standard hydraulic lift table comes with lifting capabilities of up to around 7000 kg, and they can usually lift as high as just over 4 metres. The top plate of the table comes in a variety of different sizes, these can range from a small 90 cm, all the way up to 4.4 metres in length.
We supply customisable lift tables that come with a range of different options so that the lift table can be put together in a bespoke design specifically for your needs.

What is a scissor lift table?
A scissor lift table is a vertical platform designed for lifting through the use of a hydraulic scissor mechanism. Operators can simply raise or lower the table/platform by using an attached foot pump, on in cases with battery-operated lift tables, a control button.
How does a scissor lift table work?
Hydraulic lift tables are raised when a hydraulic fluid is forced either in or out of the hydraulic cylinder. When the hydraulic fluid is forced into the cylinder, then the cylinder will 'stroke' outwards. This forces the lift's scissor legs to open, causing a boost in height.
What is the difference between a manual lift table and battery operated scissor lift table?
A manual lift table, or a scissor trolley, is operated through the use of a foot pump in order to manually lift the platform higher or lower. The foot pump forces hydraulic fluid directly into the hydraulic cylinder, which will then open up the mechanism.
Battery operated scissor lifts operated similarly but through a completely different mechanism. The requirement of pushing or pumping in order to force hydraulic fluid into a cylinder is replaced with a simple battery pack. The addition of the battery pack means that the platform can be lifted at the touch of a button.
Hydraulic Scissor Lift Basics

Platform
This is the top table of the scissor lift. The size and shape of the platform can vary from model to model and also depending on the platform's purpose. The platform is always there to hold the load.
Specific models of platforms can be equipped with ball transfers, rotating tabletops, or even roller conveyors.
These are usually installed in order to boost the overall efficiency of the lift when it comes to loading or unloading.
Other times, stationary platforms are used in order to keep the load from moving out of position. For example, in the automotive industry, a stationary platform may be necessary when mechanical work is done on a vehicle. We offer a wide range of lift tables to meet a variety of different needs.
Base
This is the bottom structure of the lift. The base holds the track which allows the scissor legs to travel.
Scissor Legs
The scissor legs move the load up top in response to the action of the hydraulic cylinders. These legs are the only section of the lift table that moves mechanically. This means that the quality of the scissor legs' construction is highly important.
Hydraulic Cylinders
These are high-pressure canisters filled with fluid. They are connected to the scissor legs and are the part of the appliance which allows the lift to raise or lower. Most lift tables will use around one to four cylinders. Though it isn't uncommon to see larger scissor lifts with more cylinders.

What is the Right Scissor Lift Table for you?
Durability
As previously mentioned, a lift table's hydraulic cylinders are the part of the scissor lift that does the heavy lifting and allow the whole thing to do its job.
Because of this, every component of the lift needs to be designed with hydraulics in mind.
The engineers need to take into consideration how the lift components will work efficiently and safely. Lift tables constructed out of heavy-duty formed steel are specially made just for constant use.
Cylinder Protection
Hydraulic circuits should always be closed. Open designs can cause all kinds of safety hazards. BHS Lift Tables feature a constantly closed system, as well as an optional accordion skirt guard in order to protect the whole mechanism from foreign objects to dirt.
Tabletop Type
By selecting a tabletop that caters to the needs of a specific task, operations can create ergonomic workstations that ensure efficiency.
Many lift tables are available with a variety of different extras to help make work all that more efficient, some examples of these additions are ball transfers, loading ramps, roller conveyors, and turntables.
Mobility
You should always ensure that your lift table is appropriate for your workspace. The majority of operations use stationary lift tables in order to set up permanent and fixed workstations, but mobile options are always available.
There are lift tables available with a permanently fixed self-propelled DC powerhead. This addition allows for operators to move the unit from location to location as needed.
Lifting height and installation in a pit
When a lift table is initially installed in a pit, the top plate should be flush with the rest of the surrounding floor. In-ground level lift tables are easy to load and offload by using a manual pallet truck, plus they can be tucked away completely out of sight when the floor space is needed for other operational activities.
When a scissor lift is installed into the ground, the total lifting height of the mechanism is the stroke of the lift table.
The pit should always be very slightly larger than the lifting table itself when in its closed position. For a successful in-ground scissor lift installation, the pit measurements are below:
- Length of the lift table + 30mm
- Width of the lift table + 30mm
- Minimum height of lift table + 20mm for adjustment
There should also be a drain installed at the bottom of the pit so water can be led out of the facility.
An ideal pit design should also include piping for electrical cables to be led out of the pit.
We would also recommend the installation of an external power back. This will make maintenance easier and it will also keep the pump safe in the unfortunate situation where water collects at the bottom of the pit.
The power pack, including the pump and the electrical control box, should be installed a fair distance away from the lift table. This is so the power pack is easy to access when it comes to maintenance.
The hand control panel for the lift table should be installed in a location where there is a completely unobstructed view of the lift table at all times.
Areas We Cover
For hydraulic scissor lifts suppliers in the UK, contact our experts today. Garage Equipment Supplies offer a premium supply and installation service throughout Bolton and the North of England. We operate in an 80 mile radius around Bolton. Areas that we cover include:
Please Note: If you location isn't specified here, please feel free to get in contact with us as we maybe able to cover your local area.
CONTACT US
Garage Equipment Supplies
Unit 18B Raikes Clough Ind. Est.
Raikes Lane, Bolton
BL3 1RP