Tail lift

A liftgate (Synonyms: tail lift ) is the tailboard of a truck, that can be lowered to the pavement level for easier loading and unloading of cargo. It is often referred to as hoist, which term is much more comprehensive and extends also to lifts in garages, for example.

General

The fixed rear -mounted tail lift can be tilted from vertical ( driving position ) to the horizontal position ( loading position ) and then lowered horizontally or lifted. This movement directly ( parallelogram ) or indirectly ( vertical lift ) is usually achieved by hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic pump electrically or by a power take-off ( pressure compensating cylinder ) is driven in the aggregate.

Tail lifts, divided into different weight classes (500 kg, 750 kg, 1 t, 1.5 t, 2 t, 2.5 t, 3 t, 4 t, 5 t, 6 t, 7.5 t, 9 t) allow the loading and unloading of heavy goods, even if not yet forklift loading ramp is available. Truck with tail lift are mostly used in freight transport for home deliveries. Palletized goods can be moved with a pallet from the truck bed on the liftgate, which then lowers the pallet on the roadway level. From there, the pallet can then be transported over the road.

Function and operation

The stage is initially brought to a level with the normal loading surface after it has been changed in its position by 90 degrees. Subsequently, the charge is spent on the platform which is now lowered to ground level, where the load is leaving the vehicle.

The operation is done from the back, and indeed by foot pedals or buttons on the rear of the truck, or using controls on the side of the vehicle.

Especially in loading zones Drivers must make sure that behind the truck remains free with liftgate enough space.

Special form

A special kind of a tail lift is under the foldable hoist. While a tail lift is usually the rear door of the building, under a folding lifting platform is not part of the structure. It can be folded in half and then folded in this shortened position below the vehicle body. Compared to a conventional tail lift, this has the advantage that the truck can also dock at a loading dock without each time the tail lift must be folded down before. In practice, tailgates are usually found on smaller trucks, as they are mainly used in distribution traffic in freight transport, whereas below collapsible lifts find more for larger trucks, which are also used in long-distance freight transport, use. One reason for this is the higher weight under a foldable lift. While the liftgate as part of the construction requires no additional doors, the foldable tail lift must be considered as a separate attachment, thus reducing the payload of the truck to their full weight. This falls naturally in large truck with a higher payload proportionately less important than for small truck. There are also vertical lifts, which are generally more often used in motor sport and Formula 1. These can be, for example, one above the other 2 cars (double floor) load, which can be go out on the vertical lift from the eg trailer.

Security

A tail lift must be towards visible so that the traffic does not move to the liftgate when it is not in the driving position after each page. This is done by marking flag on the platform base and indicator lights on the top of the extended platform. On the sides of reflective warning strips are attached to the platform.

An underride protection, either 3-piece or 1-piece is also provision. In addition, an annual safety inspections in accordance with BGR 500 and manufacturer's instructions should be carried out (such as a technical inspection ), so a visual and functional check of all hoses, fittings, bolts, brackets, the warning device, the load capacity with weight, by signs, operating instructions; Lift cylinders and tilt cylinders and an oil change.

Manufacturer

The famous tail lift manufacturers are:

  • Behrens Loading Systems (300 tailgates / year)
  • Sorensen ( 2000 Tail lifts / year)
  • Dautel ( 3,500 tailgates / year)
  • DEL UK ( 6,500 )
  • Gerd Bär (Bear Cargolift; 12,000 tailgates / year)
  • Palfinger ( Palgate, Ratcliff, MBB; 14,000 tailgates / year)
  • MBB Lift Systems AG (owned since 2008 Palfinger; 15,000 tailgates / year)
  • Dhollandia ( 28,000 tailgates / year)
  • Zepro ( 22,000 tailgates / year)
  • QualiXperts (proprietor electromechanical drive )
  • Kyokuto Kaihatsu
  • ShinMaywa
  • AMF ( represents no more ago)
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