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 the first vehicle restraint de... 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 vertical travel. https://... 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 more than one leg se... 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 the winter months.
Storing the vehicle restraint under the dock leveler also eliminates the chance ... 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 and locks. The dock leveler is “walked down” until the extended lip assembly makes contact with t... 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 the pla... Read More
Whether it’s a light volume operation or a facility receiving and shipping products 24/7 there are considerable financial savings to be made by investigating and improving energy efficiency at the loading dock area.
There are 3 major components to consider relative to energy efficiency at the loading dock; the use and configuration of the dock seal and shelter, the insulation rating of the overhead door and the use of the most effective weather seal for the overhead door and dock leveler.
For 35+ years Pentalift has been a trusted authority on developing, recommending and manufacturing... Read More
A dock leveler is a vertically adjustable hinged ramp designed to provide a smooth transition for a lift truck or pallet truck from the building floor to the truck bed at the loading dock area. The vertical adjustment of the dock leveler allows it to accommodate varying truck bed heights. Dock levelers are most often installed in a recessed pit and are flush with the floor when in the closed, stored position.
The dock leveler platform is hinged at the back, when activated the dock leveler deck raises and a hinged lip extends at the front of the dock leveler. When the lip is fully extended t... Read More
Scissor lift tables are used in a wide range of applications. These applications include improving ergonomics at the work station, high lifts for work platforms or maintenance procedures, high capacity lift tables, portable lift tables to name some of the more common applications.
Lift tables, lift tables with rotating tops and lift tables with tilting tops are proven to be an ergonomic solution to minimize or eliminate repetitive operator bending, stretching or reaching. In addition to the ergonomic benefits that lift tables provide they also increase productivity, employee morale and oper... Read More
The most common loading dock height is 48”-50” above grade and this accommodates the highest percentage of commercial trucks serviced at the loading dock area. The truck and trailer bed heights arriving at the loading dock are generally 46” - 52” high and the standard 48”-50” dock height is in the middle of this range.
The goal is to have the loading dock height and the truck bed heights match. The less difference between these two dimensions the better. Lower differences result in less angulation of the dock leveler deck assembly which is easier on fork lift brakes and transmis... Read More