Technically they don’t require a higher HP power unit to operate but almost every time they are specified. A lift table power unit consists of 5 primary components, electric motor, hydraulic pump, hydraulic valve, oil reservoir and a control station. As lift tables increase in lifting capacity more cylinders are used in the structural design to lift the load. Additional lift cylinders increase the volume of hydraulic oil required to operate the lift table. To provide a suitable lift speed a la... Read More
Flaps or as they are commonly referred to as “wear pleats” extend the life of a compression style dock seal. With the truck backed into position there should be 4” -6” of dock seal foam compression, this amount of compression provides the best seal. As the truck is loaded or unloaded it is natural for the truck bed to move up and down. The trucks up and down movement has an abrasive effect on the front of the dock seal side pads, the wear pleats provide an outer layer of protection that ... Read More
Although there is a common perception that accordion bellows are a safety device they are not promoted as such. The primary purpose of lift table accordion bellows is to prevent debris from getting under the lift table and interfering with the leg rollers, power unit etc. Many companies mandate that all lift tables within their facility be equipped with accordion bellows to prevent debris from getting under the platform and the yellow accordion bellows also serve as a highly visible signal that ... Read More
When selecting a dock lift, you want to make sure you find the most appropriate one for your application. The 5 main things to look for when choosing a dock lift would be whether the equipment is going to be floor mounted or pit installed, platform dimensions, what the lifting and roll over capacities will be, bridge lengths and what voltage will be offered to the dock lift at the place of installation. The manufacturer needs to know whether the equipment is going to be pit installed or placed o... Read More
The majority of lift tables are designed to be cycled 8 times per hour during an 8 hour shift, 5 days a week. In an application that needs more cycles than the standard amount, lift tables are recommended to be equipped with a high cycle package. A high cycle package consists of cam followers in place of leg rollers, spherical bearings in place of bushings, and often equipped with a central lubrication system. In addition to these components, high cycle lift tables are often specified with a con... Read More
Air bag lift tables are limited in their vertical travel. You cannot get an air bag style lift table with a vertical travel greater than 24”. If more than 24” of vertical travel is required, a hydraulic lift table with an air motor is available. An air bag lift table also does not offer a velocity fuse as an option. In the case that an air bag was to be punctured or cut, the table would drop to floor level. Air Bag lift tables are limited to 6,000 lbs maximum capacity as standard and are als... Read More
Dock lifts are generally used if you don’t have a conventional 4 foot high loading dock area. A dock lift would be used to get product from a truck to ground level or vice versa. In multiple dock positions, something that is becoming more common is the use of a dock lift. While dock levelers will handle the conventional trucks, in addition to conventional trucks a dock lift can accommodate any incoming truck bed height (FedEx, UPS, etc.). Dock lifts can also be used to store property maintenan... Read More
The reason lift tables have various horse power ratings is strictly to achieve typical speeds of vertical travel. The quicker the oil can be pumped into a cylinder, the quicker the cylinder extends, increasing the lift speed. Generally, the higher the capacity of the lift table, the more cylinders the lift table will require. In order to maintain typical lift speeds of 10 – 12 feet per minute, a higher rated power unit is used to achieve these speeds.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representativ... Read More
There are pros and cons to low profile dock lifts and conventional pit model dock lifts. Low profile dock lifts do not have to be installed in a pit. They are equipped with an approach ramp and surface installed. This serves as an advantage because there is no pit construction required and if the dock lifts needs to move to a different location, it can be easily accomplished. This being said, a low profile dock lift cannot handle the same capacity as a conventional pit installed dock lift. Low p... Read More
The majority of dock lift manufacturers use lift cylinders that “dead end” when the lift cylinder is fully extended. “Dead ending” the lift cylinder puts stress into the lift cylinder components. The power unit’s pressure relief valve must open and mechanical stops are required.
A PentaFlow Lift Cylinder has an internal mechanical valve that opens automatically every time the cylinder reaches full extension. The hydraulic oil is ported directly back to the reservoir.
This Pen... Read More