Dock lifts are a scissor lift design most commonly used to raise and lower a platform from truck bed height to grade level during loading/off-loading.
When purchasing a dock lift one of the most important decisions to make is to either surface install or pit install the dock lift. There are pro’s and con’s to consider when making this decision.
Surface installed dock lifts do not require a pre formed pit, surface installed dock lifts are installed directly on a concrete slab. Avoiding preparing a pit makes the installation both less costly and less site disruptive than working through the pit construction process.
Surface installed dock lifts are also used when a pit can’t be prepared; there may be underground wiring, conduits, drains, water supply etc. that rule out excavating and preparing a recessed pit.
Surface installed dock lifts are often a popular choice in a leased or rented facility because there are no site alterations required, alterations that once the lease has expired may have to be returned to the original condition.  As well, surface installed dock lifts are much easier to relocate than pit installed dock liftsSurface installed dock lifts are available in a smaller cross section of platform sizes and lifting capacities in comparison to pit installed dock lifts but for the right application a surface installed dock lift offers a viable solution.
This link leads to surface installed dock lifts https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/low-profile-dock-lifts/
In contrast pit installed dock lifts are available in a wider range of platform sizes, higher lifting/lowering capacities and have many options to choose from that are not available on a surface installed dock lift.
A pit installed dock lift does not require an approach ramp to get from grade level to the dock lift platform; surface installed dock lifts do require an approach ramp which can take up valuable floor space.
A pit installed dock lift provides the smoothest transition from floor level to the dock lift platform because the dock lift is recessed into a pit that is level with the existing floor.
Pit installed dock lifts are considered to be the most versatile models due to the wide range of platform sizes and capacities available however in the right application a surface installed dock lift can meet all of the site requirements.
This link leads to pit installed dock lifts https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/hed-series-dock-lifts/
For additional information on Pentalift docks lifts and selecting the most appropriate model for your application please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.