Pentalift News Blog
What’s new in Hydraulic Lift Tables?
June 15, 2018, 11:28 am -
The most significant change is not actually in the lift table design but the new and innovative ways that lift tables are being used. In this competitive environment many companies are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiencies and save money. Lift table manufacturers that provide custom designed lift and positioning equipment are seeing more and more innovative inquiries from customers as they look for ways to streamline their processes. Even long term tried and proven processes are now being looked at with an eye towards how we can make this process even more efficient. The customer knows their end goal and they are calling on custom lift table manufacturers for assistance in applying lift, tilt and rotation practises to many new applications.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.
What are the applications and steps for hot dip galvanizing?
June 7, 2018, 9:54 am -
Hot dip galvanizing is often specified in highly corrosive or repeated wash down applications. Common applications would be food processing facilities and chemical processing facilities. Preparing for the hot dip galvanizing process the equipment is built, tested then dismantled and sent to the galvanizer in sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies are first dipped into an acid solution for cleaning, once cleaned dipped into a hot (approximately 850 degree) molten zinc galvanizing solution. The extreme heat of the galvanizing solution and the immersion process ensures that the complete sub assembly receives a protective coating. The sub-assemblies are then returned and the equipment re-assembled, tested and shipped.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.
Are Low Profile Dock Lifts always ordered with wear plates and retaining cradles?
May 31, 2018, 9:14 am -
Not all Low Profile Dock Lifts are ordered with wear plates and retaining cradles but the majority definitely are. Conventional Dock Lifts have a lower steel frame assembly. This steel frame assembly serves a number of functions, 2 of which are the scissor lift leg rollers run back and forth on this steel frame when cycled and the steel frame has provision for lag bolting the dock lift into position during the installation process. To achieve the low profile dock lift feature one of the components deleted is the lower steel frame assembly. In this case the scissor lifts leg rollers would run back and forth on concrete when the dock lift is cycled eventually causing excessive wear to the concrete and leg rollers and a potentially creating a non-level platform. Wear plates are commonly ordered and lag bolted into position at time of installation and the leg rollers run on this steel surface for prolonged operation. Retaining cradles offer 2 benefits, retaining cradles not only lock the dock lift in position when installed but locking in position also increases the end load capacity by 50%. The only practical application for ordering a low profile dock lift without these optional extras is in a portable application.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.
What limitations are there on Self Leveling Lift Tables in a Palletizing Application?
May 25, 2018, 8:30 am -
Self leveling lift tables are very common in palletizing or de-palletizing applications. When empty self leveling lift tables store in the raised position, in a palletizing application first an empty pallet is placed on the platform. As product is moved onto the pallet the increased weight automatically lowers the lift table keeping the operators work height at an ergonomically correct position. When the lift table is fully lowered the pallet is full. A lift truck is then required to engage the pallet and lift it above and clear of the self leveling platform, the self leveler will raise with the pallet to the empty, raised stored position. The process begins again. In this application either a lift truck or a “straddle” lift truck is required, without this equipment being available is the limitation to this product selection.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.
What is Auto Return on a dock leveler?
May 17, 2018, 9:41 am -
Auto Return is only available on hydraulic dock levelers. When the truck is backed into position and the trailer doors are open the dock attendant cycles the dock leveler. The dock leveler deck raises, the lip extends, the dock leveler is then lowered and the extended lip is positioned on the truck bed. When the truck is loaded / unloaded typically the dock attendant would cycle the dock leveler into the closed, stored position. If there is no dock attendant available the truck driver departs, the dock leveler deck and extended lip lowers to the bottom position. The hydraulic lip begins to retract and an under deck electric limit switch is then activated. The dock leveler deck automatically raises approximately 6” – 8” above the dock height, the lift motor timer shuts off and the dock leveler returns to the stored position. When the truck departed the dock leveler was automatically returned to the closed, stored position.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.
