The loading dock area has been rated as one of the most hazardous areas of any facility. Unscheduled truck departure during the loading or unloading process does happen and it could result in a devastating accident if the forklift and operator fall from the elevated dock area to the driveway. Vehicle restraint safety systems are designed to provide two very important functions. Vehicle restraint safety systems mechanically lock a truck/trailer in the proper parked position at the loading dock... Read More
Lift tables are used in a number of different applications, the application determines which safety devices are used. For example, pit installed lift tables require safety protection to prevent a potential shear point as the lift table platform lowers into the pit. These lift tables are provided with beveled toe guards on the platform, the beveled toe guards are slanted inward at an approximate 30-degree angle. This link shows a lift table platform equipped with beveled toe guards. https://ww... Read More
Maintaining and properly servicing loading dock equipment is very important for 2 main reasons, operations efficiency and dock attendant safety at the loading dock area. In distribution centers and in the majority of manufacturing facilities products are received and shipped across a dock leveler. Any interruption of product transfer in or out of the facility due to problems or delays at the loading dock area directly impacts the efficiency of the operation and ultimately the bottom line. ... Read More
Vehicle restraint safety systems are designed to mechanically lock a truck/trailer in the proper parked position at the loading dock during loading and also to provide visual safety related communication to the truck driver and the loading dock attendant. Vehicle Restraint Systems greatly enhance safety at the loading dock. Pentalift introduced our first vehicle restraint safety system over 30 years ago. https://www.pentalift.com/loading-docks/prodinfoHFR.php This link shows the evolution of ... Read More
To answer that question first we should consider the different operational designs that are available for lift tables. Lift tables are most commonly available in hydraulic, pneumatic, and self-leveling operations. Pneumatic lift tables are acceptable or required in certain applications in which electrical and hydraulic components are not desired or allowed. They are not as precise in positioning as hydraulic. The sizing availability is limited as well. They are typically limited to 24” of v... Read More
A tandem lift table has 2 or more sets of scissor legs positioned end to end with a common platform and frame. Tandem lift tables are most commonly used to lift, support and lower long loads such as lengths of steel, pipe, lumber and large assemblies. https://www.pentalift.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/8low-tandem.pdf The platform length determines the number of scissor leg assemblies be used and the positioning to safely support the full length of the load on the platform. By placing mor... Read More
Pentalift was an innovator in the concept and design of the under dock vehicle restraint when it first introduced its Model UHR40 vehicle restraint safety system 30 years ago. Pentalift was among the first to recognize the benefits of a restraint safety system that was installed under a dock leveler. Stored under the dock leveler the vehicle restraint is out of the weather significantly reducing maintenance requirements and providing ease of snow/ice removal at the loading dock area during th... Read More
All manufacturers of mechanical dock levelers incorporate a hold down assembly to keep the dock leveler locked tight to the truck bed during loading or unloading. The industries most common hold down assembly is a ratchet and pawl design. This style of hold down is now standard equipment on all Pentalift mechanical dock levelers. Mechanical dock levelers are upward biased. With a truck in position the dock leveler release chain is pulled, the deck assembly rises and the lip assembly extends a... Read More
Pentalift recently introduced a new model of dock lift to our extensive lineup of our existing dock lift products. The model VCD Vertical Cylinder Dock Lift is designed as a cost effective solution to provide grade level to truck bed loading without creating a pre formed pit. https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/vcd-low-profile-surface-mounted-dock-lift/ The Model VCD Vertical Cylinder Dock Lift is available with a 72” wide x 96” long platform designed for traffic flow across both ends of ... Read More