Pentalift News Blog
Pentalift Introduces a New Model of Vehicle Restraint
April 20, 2018, 9:15 am -
The majority of vehicle restraints are fastened directly to the face of the foundation wall. In some cases the foundation wall will not withstand the forces to hold the vehicle restraint in position such as a concrete block wall or a brick wall. In new construction with the concrete pre cast (tilt up) wall the contractor often specifies that nothing is to be bolted to the face of the wall. To address a vehicle restraint installation that cannot be attached to the foundation wall Pentalift has designed a new model of vehicle restraint that is bolted down into pre cast concrete. A concrete pad is poured of sufficient depth and strength to accommodate the forces and loads to hold the truck in position. The newly released Pentalift model HFR32SM is positioned tight to the face of the foundation wall , centered under the overhead door and is bolted down into a precast concrete pad.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information
Why do higher capacity lift tables require a higher HP power unit?
April 13, 2018, 10:18 am -
Technically they don’t require a higher HP power unit to operate but almost every time they are specified. A lift table power unit consists of 5 primary components, electric motor, hydraulic pump, hydraulic valve, oil reservoir and a control station. As lift tables increase in lifting capacity more cylinders are used in the structural design to lift the load. Additional lift cylinders increase the volume of hydraulic oil required to operate the lift table. To provide a suitable lift speed a larger volume hydraulic pump is required to increase the oil flow rate to the lift cylinders. To drive the larger volume pump a higher HP electric motor is required. For example a 20,000 lb capacity lift table with a 3 HP power unit takes approximately 121 seconds to lift 59”. The same lift table equipped with a 10 HP power unit takes approximately 25 seconds to lift 59”. Higher HP power units drive higher volume pumps which increases lift speed.
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What are the flaps on the front of dock seals for?
April 4, 2018, 11:38 am -
Flaps or as they are commonly referred to as “wear pleats” extend the life of a compression style dock seal. With the truck backed into position there should be 4” -6” of dock seal foam compression, this amount of compression provides the best seal. As the truck is loaded or unloaded it is natural for the truck bed to move up and down. The trucks up and down movement has an abrasive effect on the front of the dock seal side pads, the wear pleats provide an outer layer of protection that allows movement with the truck bed and extends the life of the dock seal.
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Are lift table accordion bellows a safety device?
March 28, 2018, 9:57 am -
Although there is a common perception that accordion bellows are a safety device they are not promoted as such. The primary purpose of lift table accordion bellows is to prevent debris from getting under the lift table and interfering with the leg rollers, power unit etc. Many companies mandate that all lift tables within their facility be equipped with accordion bellows to prevent debris from getting under the platform and the yellow accordion bellows also serve as a highly visible signal that equipment is in motion.
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What is the most common error made when choosing a dock seal?
March 23, 2018, 8:51 am -
Compression, with foam pad dock seals the amount of compression is very important. Too little compression results in not enough of a sealing factor, too much compression puts excess pressure on the building wall and causes premature failure of the dock seal. It’s very easy to calculate the correct amount of dock seal compression; measure from the wall the dock seal will be installed on to the face of the dock bumper and add 4”– 6”. 4”-6” of dock seal projection beyond the face of the dock bumper provides the ideal seal.
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