Material handling lifts are used to move or position materials and parts to various levels. Typically done for the benefit of the worker, material handling lifts allow materials to be positioned at a level that is ergonomically advantageous as well as providing increased worker efficiency. In addition, material handling lifts are often utilized in industrial and commercial warehouses for shipping, storage and retrieval applications.

Material handling lifts can be used in varying industries such as construction, for the positioning and transport of building materials such as brick, stone and concrete; automotive, to move parts or whole vehicles for various applications; electronics, allowing fragile products to be moved without damage from worker contact; chemical processing, allowing dangerous products to be moved without risking worker safety; and shipping, for handling of packaging such as drums, barrels and other types of shipping containers. The most important benefits of material handling lifts are in connection with the workers, who will no longer suffer from muscle strain and other potential physical effects caused by manually lifting and positioning materials. However, employers benefit as well from having healthy workers and a more productive and efficient material handling process.
Hydraulic lifts are utilized for two main reasons: to transport the worker to various heights and areas or to transport materials and products to varying levels. There are many types of hydraulic lifts that are used in material handling applications. However, the three most common types of hydraulic material handling lifts are scissor lifts, pallet lifts and lift tables. Scissor lifts are considered to be both a material handling lift and a personnel handling lift because they are capable of doing both due to their large extended work platform. Scissor lifts are used to extend by means of an accordion-like base, which elevates the platform and brings the worker or material to the desired height. Pallet lifts are intended for material handling rather than personnel handling and are most often utilized in shipping and storage applications. Pallet lifts are intended solely for the positioning of pallets, which are tools used to support materials or parts in a stable manner while being handled. Lastly, hydraulic lift tables are typically the shortest type of hydraulic lift, as they are intended for positioning of materials or parts at a level that is most conducive to the worker. Lift tables are probably the simplest type of material handling lift consisting of a platform or table that is height- adjustable. Lift tables are able to alter their heights anywhere from a few inches to dozens of feet.