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
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.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.... Read More
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
Pentalift lift tables can have additional options included that will permit use as a work platform , or for riders to travel with the load.
When there will be personnel riding on the table, the industry standard, ANSI MH29.1 Safety Requirements for Industrial Scissor Lifts, requires that the lift table be equipped with guard rails on all sides These are not used for loading and unloading, unless guarded by location or other means. On sides and ends that are used for loading and unloading, the... 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
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.
LODE... Read More
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
A Velocity Fuse is a safety device that is added to the hydraulic system. It “locks” the downward travel in a free-fall situation, which occurs due to a hydraulic system failure, other than on the cylinders of the lift table.
The Velocity Fuse monitors the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid out of the cylinder and “locks” if it exceeds the allowable rate. For lighter loads, a flow rate high enough to “lock” may not develop. In these cases, the downward travel will be at a contro... Read More