The common dynamic total load multiplier is 2.5 when calculating capacity for standard dock leveler applications. However, dynamic total load multiplier can range from 2.0 to 5.0, depending on the severity of the application and the manufacturer. Since there is no recognized industry standard, manufacturers rate their capacities differently. Some may use lower multipliers to be more competitively priced or leave the impression that their particular dock leveler is stronger than other manufacture... Read More
Declining driveway approaches are very common at the loading dock area. Incoming vehicles are backed into position at an angle determined by the percentage of the decline. The most effective method to address this situation is to project the dock leveler pit forward. The amount of projection is determined by the percentage of the driveway decline. Projecting the dock leveler pit at the onset eliminates damage caused by vehicle impact to the building and the resultant need for aftermarket bumper ... Read More
A number of years ago, Pentalift was successful in assisting a foundry and their requirements in the initial design stages. The foundry recently contacted Pentalift with the details of another project providing the same service as the original design with some modifications. For the history behind the first project, please click here. To see many different examples of our custom lift tables please click here
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.... Read More
There are 3 different operating types of lift tables. They are hydraulic, pneumatic and self leveling. All 3 styles are different but have their benefits, depending on what the application is. Hydraulic lift tables offer the widest range of features and customization regarding platform size, capacity, vertical travel, and safety features. Pneumatic lift tables are offered in an air bag design which is limited to 24” of travel. The air bag lift tables may be limited but if an airline is the onl... Read More
Preventative maintenance for dock equipment is highly recommended. The more you maintain your dock equipment, the better and longer your equipment will last. Regular maintenance increases employee safety, helps to control repair costs and assists in avoiding company down times. When unexpected maintenance occurs, it can have a long chain of unexpected delays by stopping goods from entering or leaving a facility. Maintaining your equipment on a regular basis can minimize these delays and improve ... 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
FRL stands for Filter Regulator and Lubricator. In some applications, depending on vertical travel, an air bag lift table will not be suitable. The alternative is a hydraulic lift table with an air motor operated power unit. It requires compressed air to operate this motor and there are some maintenance factors to maintain efficient operation of the motor. These components are often referred to as an FRL. F – Filter: compressed air that has a high moisture content which is best to remove befor... 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
Choosing between a hydraulic dock leveler and mechanical dock leveler depends on what is most important to the user. Mechanical dock levelers cost less than hydraulic dock levelers, but mechanical dock levelers do require periodic (2 times a year) adjustable maintenance throughout use of the equipment. Hydraulic levelers can handle higher load capacities and also operate more easily than mechanical dock levelers, due to a manual push button that operates the power unit. While hydraulic dock leve... Read More
If you have both a hydraulic dock leveler and an overhead door in the closed position and try to operate the dock leveler, the power of the dock leveler will damage the locked overhead door. If you have a vertical storing dock leveler in the rest (vertical) position and try and operate (lower) it when an overhead door is in the closed position, the dock will cause severe damage by impacting with the overhead door. In order to ensure that the dock leveler will not be able to operate when the over... Read More