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Solar Powered Hydraulic Dock Leveler (click for Brochure & Video) 
Benefits
- Solar energy power supply. A solar cell charges the battery. To activate the dock leveler, the accumulated power is used to operate the DC power unit.
- Electrical installation cost savings. A dedicated power supply is not required. Costs associated with providing and installing the dedicated power supply are eliminated. A 115/1/60 wall plug for the ancillary AC charger is provided. Power draw is less than one amp.
- An auto charging feature is available that senses the charge status of the battery and automatically turns on the AC charger to replenish the charge in the battery, then automatically turns off the AC charger and then reverts back to the solar cell charging system..
- Operated by a simple push button control.
- Fully hydraulic operation utilizes a lift and lip cylinder in conjunction with Pentalogic valve to control all of the dock leveler's operation. Hydraulic operation has proven to be the most reliable operating system for dock levelers. (Select hydraulic dock levelers on side menu for more information on hydraulic dock levelers).
- Hydraulic fallsafe provides fallsafe protection which is superior to mechanical fallsafe systems and eliminates "stump-out" concerns.
- The solar energy supply and the battery allow the SolarDock™ to continue to function during power interruptions to the facilities incoming power grid.
Description
The Pentalift SolarDock™ provides all the proven benefits of hydraulic dock leveler operation with the additional benefit of utilizing solar energy as the power source. This provides unmatched energy efficiency at the loading dock yielding costs savings as well as fitting "green" profiles and directives that are being desired and mandated. The solar system acquires its power requirement from the sun. Utilizing the solar cell, the SolarDock™ eliminates expensive dedicated power supply requirements. A local 115/1/60 plug in supply is required to accommodate the low current (less than 1 amp) AC auxiliary charger, should it be required.
Operation
When the operator depresses and holds the raise button, the deck rises to its full height. The lip then extends into position. When the button is released, the deck and lip lower until the extended lip rests on the truck/trailer bed. If there is no truck/trailer present or the truck/trailer departs, the deck lowers, contacting the below level stops. The lip automatically drifts into the pendant position behind the dock bumpers. On units equipped with automatic return-to-stored position, the deck returns to the stored position with the lip behind the night lock. Deck lift and lip extension are controlled through the Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold.
Structural Features
- High-strength safety checker plate deck and lip assembly, 55,000 psi yield.
- Full-width, self-cleaning, heavy-wall hinge tube, 65,000 psi yield.
- Gussets on lip and headboard hinge maximize support.
- 50,000 psi yield headboard with bridged gaps and radii on all inside corners for maximum strength
- Structural, precision-formed “C" beams, 65,000 psi yield. Specially designed beams allow Pentalift to create and build the deck support with optimal strength-to-weight ratio for a dock leveler. Utilizing eight (8) beams assures an even load distribution and maximum deck support.
- Central deck beam for added support of three-wheeled vehicles.
- Full-width, structural channel tailboard and one-piece, full-width rear hinge complete with heavy steel gussets. Pentalift’s unique, welded assembly provides a box section for superior support.
- Rear frame assembly features eight points of even support for the full-width rear hinge.
- Heavy-duty front frame provides full-width, cross-traffic support and superior building aesthetics.
- Night lock prevents unauthorized entry when overhead door is locked on top of dock leveler.
Operating Features
- Self-retracting, hydraulic lip cylinder is standard on all models for fully hydraulic operation.
- Top-fed, forward-positioned hydraulic lift cylinder.
- Full-range, telescopic toe protection assures total dock attendant safety. Section features a “bend relief” to maximize strength.
- Fixed rear hinge remains flush with the rear of the pit to eliminate potential pinch points and surface obstructions. Design allows 4” of lateral deck compensation to accommodate canted truck/trailer beds.
- Hydraulic power unit incorporating internal filtration system, DC motor, high cycle 12V storage battery.
- Maintenance stand supports deck and lip during maintenance and service.
Balanced Design for Structural Harmony
Other dock leveler manufacturers boast of individual components as though they were unrelated to each other in strength. Little thought is given to the overall structural balance of the combined load-bearing components.
Many dock leveler manufacturers fail to realize that, in many respects, the combination of structural components is similar to a chain and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Through the use of state-of-the-art finite element analysis software, Pentalift components are designed and sized to maintain structural balance and harmony throughout, assuring maximum dock leveler life by eliminating any weak links.
Combination Control Panel (click for details)
Combination Control Panels are available to suit various applications and combinations of dock equipment. Combination Control Panels are used to simplify and harmonize the operation of the loading dock equipment, increase safety, reduce field-wiring costs and conserve wall space at the loading dock. The dock equipment that is typically interlocked is any combination of: hydraulic dock leveler, vehicle restraint and safety light system, overhead door and/or inflatable dock shelter.Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold (click for details)
Operating every hydraulic function with only two moving parts, the Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold revolutionized dock leveler hydraulic control circuitry. Conventional hydraulic dock leveler control valve circuitry is comprised of several individual function valve assemblies. These assemblies are constructed from many sub components, increasing the potential of hydraulic component failure and oil leaks. Utilizing only two moving components, the nonadjustable Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold eliminates all concerns related to on-site adjustment, oil leaks or hydraulic component failure.Self Retracting Lip (click for details)
A major feature of the Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold is a self-retracting lip, an important safety and performance feature. With conventional hydraulic dock levelers, the yieldable lip circuits utilize an “in line” pressure relief valve, maintaining the lip in the extended position. Once a truck/trailer departs, the deck lowers and the lip remains in the extended position. The next incoming truck/trailer will impact the extended lip and any excessive force will push the lip back into the pendant position. In addition, a conventional hydraulic circuit can cause the lip to get “caught on” a portion of the incoming truck/trailer, resulting in extensive damage to the truck/trailer, dock leveler and cargo. On truck/trailer departure, the Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold allows the lip assembly to gently retract into the pendant position prior to the arrival of the next incoming truck/trailer. The Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold assures that the lip is always pendant behind the protective bumpers. Units equipped with automatic return-to-stored position work in conjunction with the self-retracting lip (eliminating false signals common with other makes) to return the deck to the safe, stored position.
Options
- pour-in-place installation style
- automatic return-to-stored position
- deck stop with independent lip control
- interlock to other dock equipment
- foam insulated deck
- weather seal (rubber or brush)
- 18" or 20" lip length
- other options available
Specifications
SolarDock™ hydraulic Dock Leveler(s) to be Pentalift model HDS__________ manufactured by Pentalift Equipment Corporation. Nominal deck size of _____ wide x _____ long with a rated capacity of _____ lb. The nominal lip length will be 16". Dock leveler(s) to be fully hydraulic with a wall-mounted, push button control station. The power unit is to be 12V DC lift motor, high cycle 12V storage battery and external solar panel. Power unit and battery to be installed on the dock leveler frame. The power supply is to be 115/1/60 wall plug to provide a minimum of 1 amp.Pentalift now offers an auto charging feature that is available for its popular SolarDock series of solar powered dock levelers. Dock Leveler(s) to be supplied with auto charge system which automatically senses the charge status of the battery and, if required, automatically turns on the AC charger to replenish the charge in the battery, then automatically turns off the AC charger and then reverts back to the solar cell charging system. All hydraulic functions are to be controlled by the Pentalogic Hydraulic Manifold. The lip is to be self-retracting. The lip hinge is to be full width, piano style with a full-width hinge pin. The lip hinge is to be welded to a high tensile strength headboard. The rear hinge design is to be full width, fixed style. The deck design shall provide 4" of lateral deck compensation for canted truck/trailer beds. Dock Leveler(s) is to be equipped with full range toe guards, night lock, hydraulic fallsafe and maintenance stand. The lift cylinder shall be top-fed and forward-positioned behind the headboard. Two molded rubber dock bumpers to be provided. Dock Leveler(s) to have Pentalift gray finish.
Model Number Selection (nominal feet)
| Model | Width | Length |
| HDS66__ | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| HDS68__ | 6.0 | 8.0 |
| HDS610__ | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| HDS6.56__ | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| HDS6.58__ | 6.5 | 8.0 |
| HDS6.510__ | 6.5 | 10.0 |
| HDS76__ | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| HDS78__ | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| HDS710__ | 7.0 | 10.0 |
Listed below are the brochures and technical information sheets. Click on the links to go to the specific document.
Brochure pdf
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Video
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