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Introduction

Ergonomics has become a top priority for manufacturers, warehouses, and distribution centers aiming to improve worker safety and productivity. One of the most effective tools for achieving ergonomic efficiency is the lift table. These devices reduce the need for bending, reaching, and lifting, helping to minimize workplace injuries and streamline operations.

However, not all lift tables are created equal. To ensure you’re investing in equipment that prioritizes both performance and safety, it’s essential to evaluate specific features before making a purchase. Here are seven critical safety features to look for when selecting a lift table for your facility.

1. Capacity

The load capacity of a lift table is one of the most fundamental safety considerations. Choosing a table that cannot handle the weight of your materials can lead to catastrophic failure—damaging goods, halting operations, and most importantly, putting workers at serious risk.

When assessing capacity, consider:

• Maximum load weight the table will need to support.
• Whether the load is evenly distributed or offset.
• The frequency of use, which can affect wear and tear over time.

If your application involves offset loads or dynamic movement, it’s wise to select a lift table with a higher-than-necessary capacity to provide a safety buffer.

2. Raised and Lowered Height

The ability to adjust the height of a lift table is what makes it so valuable for ergonomic applications. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the full range of motion—from the lowest to the highest point—meets the needs of your workforce.

Key considerations include:

• Accommodating workers of different heights.
• Ensuring compatibility with other equipment (e.g., conveyors, workbenches).
• Reducing awkward postures and repetitive strain injuries.

A lift table that can’t reach the necessary height range may force employees into unsafe working positions, defeating the purpose of ergonomic improvement.

3. Safety Toe Guard Protection

Toe guards are a vital safety feature that protect workers from foot injuries during lift table operation. These guards are especially important in busy environments where foot traffic is high.

There are two main types:

• Beveled toe guards: These sloped edges help deflect feet away from pinch points.
• Electric toe guards: These automatically stop the table’s descent if an obstruction is detected.

Both options significantly reduce the risk of crush injuries and should be considered essential for any lift table used in a shared workspace.

4. Installation Type

How a lift table is installed can have a major impact on both safety and functionality. There are two primary installation methods:

• Floor-mounted: The lift sits on top of the floor and is ideal for mobile or temporary setups.
• Pit-mounted: The lift is recessed into the floor, allowing for flush loading with pallet jacks or carts.

From a safety standpoint, the installation should match your loading and unloading methods. For example, if you’re using a pallet jack, a pit-mounted lift may be necessary to avoid ramps or inclines that could pose tripping hazards.

5. Activation Method

The activation mechanism of a lift table determines how easily and safely it can be operated. The goal is to minimize operator strain and ensure intuitive control.

Common activation types include:

• Foot switches: Hands-free operation, ideal when workers need to use both hands for positioning materials.
• Handheld controls: Flexible and portable, allowing for precise adjustments.
• Wall-mounted push buttons: Fixed in place, reducing the risk of misplacement or damage.

Choose the method that best suits your workflow and ensures ease of use for all employees.

6. Cycle Usage

If your lift table will be used frequently throughout the day, it’s important to consider a high-cycle package. Standard lift tables may not be designed for continuous use and could suffer from premature wear or overheating.

High-cycle lift tables are built with:

• Heavy-duty components.
• Enhanced hydraulic systems.
• Improved cooling and durability features.

Applications involving multiple lifts per hour—such as in assembly lines or shipping departments—should always opt for high-cycle-rated equipment to maintain safety and performance over time.

7. Environmental Conditions

The environment in which the lift table will operate plays a major role in determining the appropriate materials and safety ratings.

Ask yourself:

• Will the lift be exposed to moisture, chemicals, or extreme temperatures?
• Is the area classified as a hazardous location (e.g., flammable vapors or dust)?
• Are there cleanroom or food-grade requirements?

Depending on the answers, you may need:

• Stainless steel or galvanized finishes for corrosion resistance.
• Explosion-proof controls for hazardous environments.
• NEMA-rated enclosures (e.g., NEMA 4, NEMA 12) for electrical safety.

Choosing the right configuration ensures long-term reliability and compliance with safety regulations.

Conclusion

Selecting the right lift table involves more than just comparing prices and specs. By focusing on these seven essential safety features, you can ensure that your investment not only improves productivity but also protects your workforce.

Whether you’re outfitting a new facility or upgrading existing equipment, taking the time to evaluate these considerations will pay off in the form of fewer injuries, lower maintenance costs, and smoother operations.

Need help choosing the right lift table? Barron Equipment’s team of experts is here to guide you through the selection process and ensure you find the safest, most efficient solution for your application.

Given our rich history with them, we’re confident in saying that we’re living in a golden age of commercial and industrial doors. No matter what your business excels at and what your needs are, there’s a door that’ll suit it. Cold storage doors, stainless steel doors, and sectional overhead doors are just three examples of the many door types we offer.

Roll-up doors are another popular option, especially when you consider their durability, efficiency, and security benefits. However, there’s one extra perk that might not have been obvious at first glance: their ability to help cut down on maintenance costs. So long as you’re paying attention to their specific specs, finding a roll-up door capable of saving you a lot of money shouldn’t be a hassle. Throughout this post, we’ll break down the following rolling door-related points, which are bound to help boost your business’ efficiency while keeping your spending low:

• The importance of not settling for a cheap roll-up door
• What to look out for when seeking a premium, feature-rich roll-up door
• Emphasizing the importance of small details in door designs
• Explaining the role that scheduled maintenance should be playing in your business once your door is installed

The Wrong Roll-up Can Come with Hang-ups

First, it’s important to know that not all roll-up doors are created equal. Some manufacturers might choose to save money by keeping quality standards low for their doors, resulting in products that break down quickly. Misaligned guides, worn-out springs, and a shortened lifecycle are among some of the most common snags that businesses owners run into with these lesser doors. Not only do these issues result in workflow disruptions and long periods of downtime, but the maintenance needed to resolve them is a gradual expense that only builds over time.

While the starting price for these cheaper roll-up doors might seem appealing at first, don’t let them deceive you. Over time, you’ll spend far more on keeping them tuned up than if you had just spent a bit more on a premium door instead. With over 40 years of industrial door experience, Barron Equipment’s product experts have been able to identify the best roll-up door manufactures and leverage our relationships to secure competitive pricing for our customers.

That being said, investing in a commercial door is just that: an investment. It’s inevitable that you’ll have to spend a little extra on some big picture items, like maintenance or additional equipment for the workplace that will help your door fire on all cylinders. When considering these situations, don’t settle! Ask yourself whether the door you’re purchasing is going to require far more money to keep in shape than is expected. If the answer to that is “yes”, we recommend continuing your search for a door that you deserve.

Tracking Down the Perfect Roll-up Door

When on the hunt for the ideal roll-up door, there are several features you should be keeping an eye out for. Firstly, the materials used in the construction of a rolling door can clue you in on how easy it’ll be to maintain. Stainless steel and aluminum are particularly good picks, as they’ll resist rust and corrosion more effectively than mild steel or vinyl. Picking a door with tightly sealed parts would also be wise, as they can reduce friction and allow the door to last longer and require less upkeep.

Certain features might require a little extra cash to include, but we’d argue it’s money worth spending considering how much you’ll save going forward. Take weatherproofing, for example. Spending slightly more money on a door that prevents the elements from seeping into your work environment will save time and money that would’ve been spent repairing any damage caused by them. Splurging on a door that can be operated remotely or automatically can reduce the likelihood of user errors taking place, which would also keep your pocketbook from draining.

According to Barron Industrial Door Expert, Jay Bower, investing in a high speed door is also a great way to avoid damage from user error, as it rolls up quickly and sports sensors that prevent it from landing on any employees or property. Just remember to adjust the operating radius of your sensors so it rolls up before it can take damage from incoming traffic!

Diving into the Details of Cost Cutting

While the avenues above are great places to start when looking to keep yourself from excessive spending, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Focusing on the nitty-gritty details when picking a door is the best way to ensure you find what is best for you. Seeking a door that can open and close quickly can help promote a steady workflow while also reducing energy costs. Additionally, purchasing a door with extra security measures would help reinforce your business against thefts or vandalism.

While we’re on the topic of seeking out less obvious avenues for saving money in the long-term, the value of insulation in a roll-up door can’t be overstated. When you invest in an insulated rolling door, you ensure that the space behind that door will stay at a comfortable temperature. This should make managing your energy spending much easier while also giving your employees a more comfortable environment to work in. Durability is also a vital factor to consider, as doors that can withstand frequent use over an extended period are less likely to demand thorough repairs and maintenance. Speaking of repairs and maintenance, our Turbo-Seal Insulated High Speed Door has a break-away panel that will reset automatically when dislodged, removing the need for manual repairs. If you’re seriously considering a high-speed roll-up door for your business’ needs, this offer might be your best bet.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Even some of the best doors out there still need at least some tune-ups every now and then. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment, Bower strongly advises scheduling regular check-ups with us so small issues can consistently be addressed before they become expensive roadblocks. You can also take matters into your own hands by regularly cleaning and lubricating your door, which will mitigate wear-and-tear caused by friction.

When looking to avoid these long-term maintenance issues, we would recommend finding the perfect vendor to partner with; Someone with a keen eye for quality and a knack for efficiently getting your gear back in commission.  At Barron Equipment and Overhead Doors, we take pride in the rolling doors we carry, and offer scheduled maintenance on rolling and overhead doors, even if we did not install them ourselves. Additionally, we don’t just sell premium-grade doors, we can also help you keep them up-to-code! Our scheduled maintenance service is designed to help you quash any concerns that may surface and address them before they become massive problems.

Conclusion

While roll-up doors have their own slate of universal benefits, they don’t all stand on equal ground in terms of what they offer. When selecting a rolling door, choosing one that offers some extra features would be well worth the money, as they could save you much more on maintenance and other expenses in the long term. Examples of these features include the use of materials meant to resist rust and corrosion, insulation that maintains a consistent temperature inside your workspace, and the option to operate your door remotely or automatically.

Taking some extra measures to secure your finances, such as finding a reputable partner to source your door from and adhering to a regular maintenance schedule, would also be wise. The money you’ll spend on these ventures would be far exceeded by the cost of having to fix or replace your roll-up door, so it’s worth it in that sense. If you run a business that relies on a roll-up door, we’d recommend taking a close look at your current set-up and deciding whether you could use something that requires less upkeep and has a more potent set of features. If you conclude that an upgrade is needed, we’d love to be of service! Give us a call (563-391-1052) or send us an email ([email protected]) and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

Aim for Cost-Effective, Not Cheap

For starters, let’s make something crystal clear: compromising on quality is never worth it. While low-cost dock equipment can be a head-turner, always be wary of it at first glance. It’s possible the reason that price is so alluring might be due to what it lacks compared to the competition. For example, a cheaper truck restraint might have a weaker composition or lack rust resistance, making it more likely that you’ll need to replace it sooner than anticipated. It might even break mid-use and cause damage to your business or injuries to your employees. Keeping an eye out for any suspicious listings when shopping is of utmost importance if you want to avoid these situations. Look to local and regional professionals that work with reputable manufacturers. Like Barron Equipment, they should be willing and prepared to do a site visit to help you determine the best product for your application.

“Customers are generally looking for the right equipment at the right price,” says Mitch Konkol, District Sales Manager at Poweramp. “This can look different depending on the market the customer is in and their experience with dock equipment. A high use, high volume, heavy weight application will need equipment that can stand up to the heavy daily usage with little downtime. Other customers have light usage but low volume that still want a good product without breaking the bank. The real difference maker for different sectors is how they incorporate safety into the dock space. As safety becomes more and more important around the loading dock, it can lead many customers to a higher initial investment in quality equipment to incorporate safety items such as barrier lips, vehicle restraints, interlocking, and restraint bypass monitoring.”

When purchasing industrial casters, people can get lost in the sea of information surrounding the multiple possibilities. At Barron Equipment, we’d like to provide the most information possible to help you make an informed decision about your casters that will provide the best ergonomics and highest efficiencies for your company.  

One aspect of casters that can become complicated is choosing the type of brake for the casters. Not all casters come with wheel brakes. This is an optional add-on to many of our swivel casters and some of our rigid casters. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of caster brakes we offer: 

The Face Contact Brake 

A Face Contact Brake mounts directly onto the tread of the wheel. It is engaged at the trailing end of the caster and it locks directly onto the face (or the tread) of the wheel.  

Benefits of this type of brake are that they are fantastic for everyday use and they have the capability to be field installed. This brake is also commonly used on Mother/Daughter carts transported long distances throughout a factory.  

Barron casters that include a Face Contact Brake have part numbers that end in “FCB.” 

The Built in Brake 

The Top Lock Brake 

Rather than being mounted on to the face of the wheel, like the Face Contact Brake and Built in Brake, the Top Lock Brake is mounted to the side of the caster with a lock that activates on the top face of the wheel. 

Because of the placement of the activation pedal, there is a smaller swivel radius for the swivel caster, making this brake an ideal option for applications in tight spaces.  

While this brake is only available with our 40 series, Industrial Casters, it does have the option to be added to a rigid caster, which is not common for most brake types. Another advantage to the Top Lock Brake is that they are field installable. If you purchase a 40 series caster and decide you need a brake later, Barron can help get top lock brakes installed in the field.  

To find casters with a Top Lock Brake, look for part numbers that end in “TB.” 

The Ideal Stop Brake 

The Ideal Stop Brake is a total lock brake and is the best caster brake offered by Barron Equipment. It not only locks the wheel, but also the swivel raceway simultaneously. The pedal of the brake does not rotate with the swivel part of the caster, so it’s always accessible. The main disadvantage for other brake types is that they are not always accessible if the caster swivels under the cart.  

Another advantage of the Ideal Stop Brake is that it eliminates the need for floor locks. Two brakes can also be merged into one by using a foot bar to engage two brakes at once. The only disadvantage for this type of brake is that it’s only available on 40 series Industrial Casters – specifically 6 inch and 8 inch wheel diameters.  

Caster models with Ideal Stop Brakes have “IS” at the end of the part number.  

Check out the video below for more information about our Ideal Stop Brake.  

Additional Items

A couple of other options available for casters include a Ring Activated Demountable Swivel Lock or a Foot Activated Demountable Swivel Lock. To activate the Ring Activated Lock, a ring is pulled. For the Foot Activated Lock, a pedal is stepped on to activate the lock.  

The purpose of these locks are to lock swivel casters into place so they can essentially become rigid casters. This can be beneficial when you’re moving a cart into a tight area that requires four swivel casters, but then needs a change in application to have two rigid and two swivel casters. A ring can be pulled or a pedal can be stepped on to engage the lock on two out of the four casters, allowing for more versatility within the application. 

Casters with Demountable Swivel Locks will have “DSL” at the end of the part number.  

Conclusion 

Barron Equipment carries a wide variety of industrial swivel casters and industrial rigid casters, along with caster brakes that allow for higher efficiency and longer service life of casters. Still not sure which caster is best for your application? We have a team of specialists dedicated to educating people on the different benefits and types of caster products. Fill out the form below and a caster specialist will be in touch soon!  

A couple of weeks ago, our service crew installed new racking in our warehouse. At first, I was a little confused by this. What’s wrong with our current racking? Why did we need to get new racking? Did something happen that I didn’t know about? After asking these questions, I found out that we were just upgrading our racking system. But if it isn’t broken….why would we need to fix it?

Whether it’s performing preventative maintenance on equipment or replacing equipment entirely, here are three reasons why either of those decisions can be more beneficial for your company in the long run:

Safety

Just because equipment looks safe on the outside, it doesn’t mean it’s actually safe to use! Racking in particular often gets dinged up by fork trucks and other equipment. This can really affect the structural integrity of the racking system.

You never want to put your employees in a position where they can get injured. So doing racking inspections and having preventative maintenance performed on doors and truck and loading dock equipment is a must!

Efficiency

Newer racking systems and truck and loading dock equipment are built to be more efficient for the end user. One of the reasons we replaced our racking system in our warehouse was because the loading and unloading from the rack was more efficient than the previous racking system. Efficiency leads to happier employees and higher productivity.

Productivity

It’s simple. New equipment that is easier to use will increase your productivity and thus, your profits.

Contact us for a rack inspection or to set up preventative/scheduled maintenance today!

It is an unprecedented time in our culture and we’re all doing the best we can to stay safe and healthy. Here are 3 cost effective ways to keep a virus at bay.