How We Do It - Grooming Van - Part 2 - Hydraulic Grooming Table

One of the more important parts of any grooming salon is the grooming table. It can be simple or it can be elaborate, or something in between. The key to what you use is the person who is going to use it.
Being able to adjust to different sizes of dogs is only part of it. It has to be able to address the needs of different ages, temperaments, health conditions, it also makes it easier to lift heavier dogs and keeping the dog in a position that is comfortable for the groomer and the dog.
To make the table adjustable in height we started with a hydraulic table cart from Harbor Freight. This one was rated at 1000 lbs, more than needed but this gives a more rigid table at full height.
The top was a little small for larger dogs, so I built a sheet metal top to attach to the original top. This made the table 36 inches long and 24 inches wide.
We added a rubber mat to the top and child proof bumpers on the corners. This protects Sherry and the dog from sharp corners and gives the dog some grip on the surface.
The table originally had wheels, but that would not work for a mobile grooming operation. So we replaced the wheels with steel legs that allow us to bolt the table to the van floor.
The original foot treadle to raise the table was small and was not easy for Sherry to use, so I replaced it with an aluminum plate that fits across the back of the table this makes it easier to use from either side of the table.
To hold the dogs in place most tables use a simple pole that clamps to the table. This works for small dogs but it can be bent or torn off by a larger dog.
Instead we built a hoop that goes from one end of the table to the other. This was made from 1 inch EMT tubing that is galvanized. This works better in many ways, it's much stronger, it's more flexible in how to hold the dog, and it gives Sherry places to hang her clippers.
I welded supports to the original table top to attach the hoop to. And while the hoop is adjustable in height Sherry just uses lengths of chain to quickly clip to that give her most of the adjustment she needs.