A lift table’s standard and most common control unit is a push button control unit. The problem you may experience with a push button control unit is that in order to operate the lift table, the operator must use their hands to control the table. This can slow efficiency because if an operator is positioning a load and decides to raise or lower the table, he must first position the load before operating it. If he has a guarded foot pedal control station, the operator can simply lift the table ... Read More
No low designed hydraulic lift tables do not require a pre formed pit or a lift truck to position the pallet on the lift table. The platform of this design rests right at floor level with a bevelled leading edge. A manual pump truck is all that is required to position or remove the pallet on this design of hydraulic lift table. This significantly lowers the cost of material handling equipment and also improves safety by keeping power driven equipment away from the work station.
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Pentalift pre-engineered (standard price list) lift tables are available with capacities ranging from 500 lbs. to 40,000 lbs. Pentalift also offers a high capacity series of lift tables with capacities ranging up to 120,000 lbs. Higher capacities are available to suit a wide range of applications.
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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
In a word, many. As standard, most Dock Lift manufacturers offer a hand held push button control with an up and down button.
The push button is attached to the power unit by an electrical cord. The control cord can vary in length.Retractable coil cords are very common. They are often 5’ long retracted and stretch up to 20’ long extended, providing the operator with increased mobility.
Controls can be installed on a post on the platform or in a wall-installed control panel. The specific... 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.
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A self-leveling lift table automatically adjusts in height as product is either added or removed.
A self-leveling lift table maintains the loading level at the ergonomically correct position for the operator during the loading/offloading process. One of the biggest benefits of this type of device is that is does not require an external power source.
Click here or here to watch one of the videos of the Pentaloader in action.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more informati... 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
Is it really worth the extra money to upgrade from a mechanical dock leveler to a hydraulic dock leveler?
There’s no question that it is worth the small amount of money to upgrade to a hydraulic dock leveler. Mechanical dock levelers require more periodic maintenance than hydraulic dock levelers to keep them in good working order. Hydraulic dock levelers are more ergonomically correct as there is no physical effort required to raise or lower the dock leveler, all operations are by simple push... Read More
The best engineers get their hands dirty. An engineer can draw anything in AutoCAD, but without understanding the actual processes used in a workplace, the new machinery can often cause more problems than it prevents.
Instead, engineers should observe the loading docks and assembly lines using their machinery. Understanding the entire improved process makes it likely that an engineer can create further improvements that increase productivity. There are many ways for engineers to learn about i... Read More