To decide between a dock lift and a dock leveler you must first look at the application. Applications that do not have a conventional 48” high dock area would require ground level loading. Dock lifts are the best way to handle ground level loading applications. Dock levelers are best suited for applications that do have a fixed 48” dock height and are best for applications that require frequent use. Both pieces of equipment are safe and offer efficient ways of loading or unloading items from... Read More
A powered rotating top is often used when the load to be rotated exceeds the ergonomic guidelines; basically when it’s just too heavy to rotate by hand. Another common application for a powered rotating top occurs when rotation is a part of an automated system, no human interaction involved. Regardless of the application powered rotating tops can be specified as one direction or bi-direction, limit switches to stop rotation at predetermined positions or to be used completely under operator or ... Read More
In some loading dock areas floor space is at a premium, in an application like this it is common to install the dock leveler just outside the overhead door in a free standing frame. If there is an existing facility that requires an additional loading dock it is common to research what services (gas, electricity, water, drain etc.) are below the existing poured concrete floor. If there are no services under the slab a pit is constructed, if there is services below the poured concrete floor it is ... Read More
Portable lift tables typically have 2 fixed casters and 2 swivel casters equipped with either steel or phenolic wheels for mobility and ease of positioning. Manually moving a lift table with more than 6,000 lbs creates significant inertia that is difficult to stop, it’s easier to start the fully loaded lift table moving than stopping the fully loaded lift table. There are applications requiring portable lift tables with much higher load ratings, these high capacity portable lift tables are gen... Read More
A guarded foot pedal control station is an alternate control system for all lift tables. Guarded foot pedal control stations are very popular because it gives operation to the table while having the operator’s hands free. This gives the operator the ability to keep working while adjusting the height of the lift table. The guarded foot pedal control pedals are protected by a steal cover to help prevent any falling debris from operating the table. A guarded foot pedal control station isn’t alw... Read More
Although there are many combinations available there are 2 very common interlocks specified. 1. Interlocking a vehicle restraint to a hydraulic or air powered dock leveler. This interlock is safety related, the dock leveler will not operate until the truck in position has been secured by the vehicle restraint. The truck secured signal from the vehicle restraint now renders the dock leveler controls operational. 2. Interlocking the overhead door to a hydraulic or air powered dock leveler. This in... Read More
A vast amount of problems that occur in the field to dock equipment is because of improper installation. Different brands of dock levelers have different instructions and different methods of installation that vary from company to company. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a safe and successful installation to help minimize problems in the field.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.... Read More
In some applications a longer bridge plate is required to span the gap between the truck bed and the dock lift platform. The longer the bridge plate the more the weight increases and in some cases they become too heavy to be operated manually. The dock lift hydraulic actuated bridge assist is installed on the platform and at only 10” wide minimally impedes the usable platform width. The bridge plate is stored in the vertical position, manually the bridge plate is lowered and a flow control val... Read More
The majority of dock lift manufacturers have a pre-engineered product line selection to cover the majority of all typical dock lift applications hence they are referred to as Dock Lifts. There are a number of applications that a dock lift has to raise higher than a standard dock lift, wider than a standard dock lift, longer than a standard dock lift, stainless steel construction etc. Even though the application requirements are often similar these lifts are outside of many dock lift manufacturer... Read More
Self leveling lift tables are very common in de-palletizing or palletizing applications. When empty self leveling lift tables store in the raised position, in a de-palletizing application a lift truck or a “straddle” lift truck first places the fully loaded pallet on the raised platform. The pallet is then lowered and the weight of the pallet forces the self leveling lift table down into the closed fully lowered position. The top of the loaded pallet is now at the ideal ergonomic operators w... Read More