Overview
The Southworth Pneumatic Lift Table replaces the hydraulic power unit found on conventional lifting tables with a heavy duty airbag system powered entirely by shop air. This eliminates hydraulic fluid from the lift entirely — removing any risk of hydraulic leaks, fluid contamination, or process contamination in environments where cleanliness is critical. The pneumatic design requires no electricity, no hydraulic oil, and no electric motor, making it the simplest lift table Southworth offers from a maintenance and safety standpoint.
Two standard models handle loads of 2,000 and 4,000 lbs using just 80 psi of air pressure at 15 cfm. Both models provide 24 inches of travel from an 8‑inch collapsed height to a 32‑inch raised height. Standard platforms of 36 x 48 inches (GLSA2‑24) and 48 x 48 inches (GLSA4‑24) serve a wide range of ergonomic work positioning needs wherever compressed air is available.
Features and Benefits
The defining advantage of the pneumatic lift is the complete absence of hydraulic fluid. In food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, electronics assembly, clean rooms, and any environment where a hydraulic leak could contaminate the product or the process, the air‑powered design eliminates that risk entirely. The airbag mechanism also reduces overall maintenance requirements compared to hydraulic systems — there are no seals to replace, no hydraulic fluid to change, and no electric motor to service.
The scissor mechanism uses the same heavy duty construction found throughout the Southworth product line. Lubricated‑for‑life bushings at all pivot points, heavy duty torque tubes for minimal deflection, and full‑width straight‑through axles for stability are all standard. A foot valve option allows hands‑free operation where a pedestal‑mounted hand valve is not ideal. Bellows accordion skirting is available to keep debris out of the scissor mechanism.
Applications
The pneumatic lift serves applications where hydraulic fluid cannot be present in the production environment. Common uses include food processing facilities where sanitation requirements prohibit hydraulic equipment near production lines, pharmaceutical manufacturing where contamination control is paramount, electronics and clean room assembly where particulate from hydraulic fluid would compromise product quality, paint and coating operations where fluid leaks would damage product finishes, and any workstation where compressed air is readily available but electrical connections are limited or prohibited.
Selection Assistance
Choosing between the two pneumatic models is straightforward. The GLSA2‑24 handles 2,000 lbs on a 36 x 48 inch platform. The GLSA4‑24 handles 4,000 lbs on a 48 x 48 inch platform. Both require 80 psi at 15 cfm. If your application requires higher capacity, greater travel, or more platform size options and hydraulic fluid is acceptable, the Southworth LS Series Hydraulic provides capacities up to 6,000 lbs with travel up to 48 inches. If your application also requires tilting capability with air power, the Southworth Pneumatic Lift and Tilt provides combined lifting and 40‑degree tilting. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.