Pentalift offers a complete line of Dock Seals and Shelters to suit the most common overhead door sizes and to compliment the Dock Leveler and Vehicle Restraint product lines.
Products range from basic foam seals, inflatable seals, to rigid, flexible or air inflatable dock shelters. All products are designed to improve safety, protect merchandise, reduce cost and improve security at the loading dock.
Contact your Pentalift Sales Representative for additional information.... Read More
The PentaFlow Lift Cylinder has a mechanically operated internal valve. This valve is located in the machined cartridge at the base of the chromed piston. During the lifting cycle, the internal valve is closed. When the piston reaches full extension, a horizontally positioned actuator opens the internal valve. Once the valve opens, the hydraulic oil is ported (directed) out of a fitting at the top of the lift cylinder. It then goes through a connecting hydraulic hose and back to the reservoir.
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This question is asked often. A 1hp, 3hp; 5hp etc. power unit will all raise a dock lift of any capacity. The reason for increasing the horsepower rating is related to the lifting speed. As the lifting capacity gets increased, additional lift cylinders are required to lift the extra weight.
To fill the lift cylinders in a time that is acceptable to raise the dock lift, the volume of oil being pumped to the lift cylinders is increased. This requires a larger volume pump. To operate the larger ... Read More
Only if you are using a lift truck on your dock lift would you require an Automatic Hydraulic Roll-Off-Stop.
When the dock lift is in the lowered, closed position, the roll-off-stop is flat. The lift truck drives across the roll-off-stop onto the platform. When the "up" button is activated, the roll-off-stop is powered into the vertical position before the dock lift begins to rise.
When the dock lift is in the raised position, the lift truck drives onto the delivery truck. When the lif... Read More
That is a very good question that does not have one simple answer.
The site and the application are often factors in selecting the most appropriate type of dock levelers for your use. All things being equal, think of the "good, better, best" comparison.
With that criteria, Mechanical Dock Levelers rate as good. Air Powered Dock Levelers rate as better and Hydraulic Dock Levelers rate as best. The application will be very important in assisting you with making the correct selection.
LODE... Read More
Mechanical Dock Levelers use a series of springs and levers to raise the platform and extend the lip assembly. The Mechanical Dock Leveler is then “walked down” into position on the delivery truck bed.
Air Powered Dock Levelers, though structurally the same, use a push button control station to operate a 115/1/60 blower, which inflates an air bladder to raise the platform. A mechanical assembly operates the hinged lip. Once the lip is actuated and fully extended, the dock attendant releas... Read More
That’s a very common question that is raised when decisions are made related to dock leveler selection.
Mechanical dock levelers use a series of springs and levers to raise the platform and extend the lip assembly. The mechanical dock leveler is then “walked down” into position on the delivery truck bed.
Hydraulic dock levelers, though structurally the same, use a push button control to operate the dock leveler. When the button is pushed, an electric motor starts and a hydraulic cyli... Read More
If the overhead door is closed and locked, a mechanical dock leveler will not damage the door when the dock leveler is activated. An air powered dock leveler or hydraulic dock leveler will cause extensive damage to the closed and locked overhead door if operated. To address this concern for potential damage, both air powered and hydraulic dock levelers can be ordered with an optional overhead door interlock switch. A striker plate on the door activates a wall installed limit switch when the door... Read More
Loading dock information regularly references TENV Electric Motors and TEFC Electric Motors. What is the difference? TENV stands for Totally Enclosed Not Ventilated Electric Motors. These are used in a wide variety of smaller horsepower applications. This type of electric motor radiates its excess heat through the body of the motor. It is commonly built with special high temperature insulation. TEFC stands for Totally Enclosed, Fan-Cooled Electric Motor.
These are constructed with a small fan... Read More
One of the most important elements of better dock efficiency is prior planning, which includes the design and placement of employees and equipment and machines in the material transfer area or dock area. Here are a few ways that upper management can improve loading area efficiency:
Design of the Space to Improve Flow
Most of the loading/unloading is done with lift trucks, and therefore the proper door size and dock leveller height is governed by the lift truck traffic. Getting the proper act... Read More