Reference
Technical Specifications
A practical guide to the specifications that matter for each equipment category. Every product in our catalog meets or exceeds applicable ANSI and OSHA standards.
The specifications below describe what to look for when selecting industrial equipment — not specifications of a specific product. When you submit a quote request, our team will provide full product-level spec sheets for any equipment under consideration. If you have a specific model in mind, include the model number in your request.
Accuracy commitment: All capacity ratings, dimensional data, and compliance claims on this site reflect manufacturer-published specifications. We do not estimate, round up, or exaggerate ratings. If a spec is not confirmed by the manufacturer, it is not listed.
Material & Scissor Lifts
Load Capacity
Rated working load in lbs. Never exceed — includes equipment weight of any operator or materials on platform.
Platform Size (L × W)
Usable working surface in inches. Critical for pallet compatibility and operator footprint.
Raised Height
Maximum platform elevation in inches. Must meet or exceed your working height requirement with clearance.
Lowered Height
Collapsed profile in inches. Determines pit requirements and floor-level loading capability.
Power Source
Electric (AC or battery), pneumatic, or manual hydraulic. Affects cycle time, indoor suitability, and maintenance.
Duty Cycle
Number of cycles per hour the unit is rated for at full load. Critical for high-throughput operations.
Pallet Jacks & Walkie Stackers
Load Capacity
Maximum rated load in lbs. Includes pallet weight.
Fork Length
Tine length in inches. Standard GMA pallet = 48". Verify against your pallet dimensions.
Fork Width (outside)
Outside tine spread in inches. Must clear pallet deck boards and rack openings.
Lift Height
Maximum fork elevation in inches. For stackers used in racking, must exceed top beam height with load.
Power Source
Manual (pump handle), electric walkie, or rider. Indoor use requires electric for emissions compliance.
Turning Radius
Minimum aisle width required for a 90° turn with load. Critical for narrow-aisle layouts.
Dock Equipment & Yard Ramps
Load Capacity
Rated capacity in lbs. Must account for combined weight of vehicle and load traversing simultaneously.
Usable Width
Clear driving surface in inches. Minimum 96" recommended for standard pallet jack clearance.
Overall Length
Ramp run in feet. Longer ramps produce lower angles — critical for hand trucks and non-motorized equipment.
Rise Height
Vertical height differential the ramp bridges in inches. Must match your dock or trailer bed height.
Surface Type
Open grating, diamond plate, or grip strut. Open grating preferred for outdoor use to prevent debris accumulation.
Edge Treatment
Beveled approach lip or curb angles. Affects transition smoothness at truck bed and ground level.
Hoists, Cranes & Rigging
Load Capacity
Rated capacity in lbs or tons. Working Load Limit (WLL) — never the break strength.
Lift Height (Hook Travel)
Vertical distance the hook travels in feet. Must accommodate load height plus required headroom clearance.
Span (Bridge Cranes)
Rail-to-rail distance in feet. Determines coverage area. Confirm building column spacing before ordering.
Power Source
Manual chain, electric chain, or electric wire rope. Wire rope preferred for high-cycle or precision positioning applications.
Lift Speed
Hook velocity in feet per minute (FPM). Two-speed models allow precision spotting at low speed.
Headroom Requirement
Vertical space required from hook-at-bottom to trolley top. Critical in low-ceiling applications.
Drum & Material Handling
Load Capacity
Maximum rated load in lbs. Includes drum, contents, and any rigging hardware.
Drum Diameter Compatibility
Clearance range in inches. Verify against your drum type (open-head, closed-head, fiber).
Power Source
Manual, electric, or pneumatic. Pneumatic preferred in hazardous (classified) environments.
Rotation Range
Angular tilt or rotation in degrees. 360° rotation models allow full pour without repositioning.
Construction
Carbon steel, stainless (304 or 316), or galvanized. Match to chemical compatibility of contents.
Grip Type
Banded ring, jaw, or cradle. Jaw grip offers tool-free attachment; cradle provides stability during transport.
Compliance
Standards We Require
Material Lift Supply only carries equipment that meets or exceeds the following industry and federal standards. Compliance documentation is available upon request for any product in our catalog.
ANSI/ASME MH29.1
Industrial Scissors Lifts
Establishes safety requirements for design, construction, and operation of industrial scissors lift tables.
ANSI/ASME B30 Series
Hoists, Cranes & Rigging
Comprehensive safety standard governing the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of overhead and mobile cranes.
ANSI/ITSDF B56 Series
Pallet Jacks & Powered Industrial Trucks
Safety standard for design and operation of low-lift and high-lift trucks including walkie stackers.
ANSI MH30.1
Dock Levelers & Dock Equipment
Defines load ratings, deflection limits, and safety markings for mechanically and hydraulically operated dock levelers.
OSHA 1910.178
Powered Industrial Trucks
Federal regulation governing the design, operation, and operator certification requirements for powered industrial trucks.
OSHA 1910.179
Overhead & Gantry Cranes
Federal regulation covering rated load marking, inspection schedules, and operational requirements for overhead cranes.
Common Questions
Know Before You Buy
Dock Board vs. Dock Plate — which do I need?+
Dock plates are solid, lightweight aluminum panels used for hand trucks and foot traffic only. Dock boards are heavier, have side curbs, and are rated for forklift traffic. If a forklift will cross the gap between your dock and the trailer, you need a dock board — not a dock plate.
Manual pallet jack vs. electric pallet jack — when does electric make sense?+
Manual jacks are ideal for occasional moves under 3,000 lbs across short distances on level floors. Electric jacks are warranted when you're moving loads repeatedly throughout a shift, covering longer distances, or operating on smooth concrete where operator fatigue becomes a productivity issue. For most warehouse applications moving 10+ loads per shift, electric pays for itself quickly.
Chain hoist vs. wire rope hoist — what's the difference?+
Chain hoists are cost-effective for lower-frequency lifts and are tolerant of harsh environments. Wire rope hoists provide higher lift speeds, greater precision for spotting loads, and are preferred for high-cycle applications (50+ lifts per shift). Wire rope is the standard for production-line and assembly environments; chain is standard for maintenance and occasional rigging.
Scissor lift table vs. vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) — which handles inter-floor transfer?+
Scissor lift tables are for positioning loads at ergonomic work heights on a single level. VRCs (vertical reciprocating conveyors) are engineered for moving materials between floors and are required when OSHA freight elevator codes apply. If your application involves moving a pallet from a ground floor to a mezzanine, you need a VRC — not a scissor lift.
Yard ramp vs. edge-of-dock leveler — which is right for my facility?+
Edge-of-dock levelers are fixed to a dock bay and adjust for trailer height variance — ideal for high-volume docks with consistent truck traffic. Yard ramps are portable and allow trailers to be loaded and unloaded anywhere in a yard or parking lot — essential for facilities without a built-in loading dock.
Need Full Spec Sheets?
Request complete manufacturer spec sheets — including load charts, dimensional drawings, and compliance certificates — as part of your quote. Include the model name or product category in your request.