A steel processing company requested assistance in designing a custom lift table to suit their application. The steel to be handled arrived in 3 lengths; 8’ long, 16’ long and 24’ long. The lift table was designed with 3 leg sets under a common platform providing support directly under each of these 3 lengths of steel. The platform size is 10’ wide, 24’ long; the vertical lift is 6’ and the lift has an overall capacity rating of 40,000 lbs. The lift table is equipped with a hydraulic... Read More
Starting with first point of contact, the newest addition to Pentalift’s website video library thoroughly describes the process when designing and fabricating custom lift tables. It demonstrates the communication with the customer to determine application requirements, the budgeting and estimating processes, design review, along with the other steps involved before an order is released for production. The new video then takes you to the production floor and shows the viewer how Pentalift ensur... Read More
Dock lifts that raise or lower lift trucks should always be ordered with a hydraulic pop up chock to increase safety at the loading dock area. Pentalift’s hydraulic operated pop up chock forms a protective barrier to prevent the lift truck from driving off the elevated dock lift platform to the floor level. The operation of the hydraulic pop up chock is both automatic and effective. With the dock lift in the lowered position the pop up chock is flush to the floor level, the lift truck is drive... Read More
Declining approaches are very common at the loading dock area, incoming vehicles are backed into position at an angle determined by the percentage of the decline. The most effective method to address this situation is to project the dock leveler pit forward; the amount of projection is determined by the percentage of the decline. Projecting the dock leveler pit at the onset eliminates damage caused by vehicle impact to the building and the resultant need for aftermarket bumper extensions, longer... Read More
A very high percentage of field issues with loading dock equipment can be directly attributed to improper or incomplete installation. This could result in the compromised function and operation of the equipment, Pentalift provides thorough step by step installation instructions. We encourage you to take the required actions within your organization to ensure that all of the installation procedures are completed as specified in the owners manual and installation instructions. More on proper insta... Read More
A financial company requested assistance with designing and selecting a dock lift to meet their unique application. For security reasons the vehicles had to be loaded within the confines of the building using a straight drive through traffic pattern. The dock lift is equipped with pocket style lift out guard rails, when not in use the guard rails are removed from the platform and stored on site. The dock lift is pit installed and the vehicles drive over the dock lift, the guard rails are then in... Read More
In most lift table applications it is quite common and also acceptable for the deck assembly to very slowly drift downward if the lift is left in the raised position for an extended period of time. However there are applications that require the lift table to remain in the raised position for an extended time without any downward drift. To address this requirement Pentalift offers a number of optional hydraulic valves. A manually operated hold valve is located on the hydraulic power unit, when c... Read More
Pentalift Equipment Corporation has recently completed and posted a new Hydraulic Dock Leveler video. This comprehensive video provides an overview of many of the operational and safety features designed into Pentalift hydraulic dock levelers to address the requirements of a modern busy loading dock. This video shows the hydraulic operating and safety features as well as control panel selections and some of the structural advantages associated with Pentalift hydraulic dock levelers. Go to https:... Read More
It is common for lift tables to be installed into a recessed pit, pit installation provides floor level access both on and off the lift table platform. Per ANSI MH29.1 Safety requirements for Industrial Scissor Lifts toe protection must be provided along the entire unprotected sides and ends of the platform if the lift table is pit installed. The two most common methods of providing toe protection are electric toe sensors and beveled toe guards. Electric toe sensors are installed below the platf... Read More
Dock bumpers are a very important component of loading dock installations. Dock bumpers are the target for the backing truck / trailer. The dock bumpers also absorb the forces of the backing truck /trailer when it makes contact with the facility. The impact force from the backing truck / trailer can exceed 200, 000 lbs. Once parked at the facility the truck / trailer bed will move up and down as the weight of the lift truck and load is driven onto and off of it. This movement is referred to as â... Read More