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Cost
Standard column lifts are up to 50% cheaper than cantilever lifts. Rephrased.
When costing tail lifts, always take into consideration the life time of the vehicle or application. Prices can be competitive on both column and chassis mount but these types of tail lift are often basic and suitable only for a shorter life. Where application and life time considerations are paramount it is often better to pay more to ensure the “right lift” for the “right” application. |
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Rear Door
A lower beam column lift (Quickfit) is not suitable for this application due to door cam locks and door hinges. However, if the vehicle has a suitably large rear frame and headboard, an over-head beam model may be fitted, together with wrap around door hinges. If the rear frame is small, a cantilever with bridging bar or Tuk-a-Way may be the model type best suited. |
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Flat Beds/Dropside Trucks
Flat bed trucks must have truck type lifts (column lifts with a lower beam) or cantilever lifts. Quickfits are not recommended except in exceptional circumstances when an additional rear frame support is required. Cantilevers do not tend to be fitted due to wind resistance. It is often better to consider mesh or folding platforms (manufacturer permitting) to avoid the issue with resistance and improve fuel efficiency. |
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Heavy Use - Hostile Environments
In order to meet the heavy demands of today’s supermarket distribution network, operators vehicles are being used 24-hours a day, being dock loaded, shunted in the year, trunked around the country and washed with strong detergent chemicals. To withstand this wear and tear, Ratcliff Palfinger developed the Hostile environment column lift with heavy duty platform, runners, shunt stops, etc and we recommend this model be considered for such applications. |
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Distribution using semi-trailers
For dedicated distribution of products being dry freight, ambient or frozen and /or where multi-drop and dock loading are standard to the operation a “flat platform” retractable would be recommended (overhang permitting). Usually installed on 13.6m and 12.2m trailers, this product minimises damage and is user friendly. As previously mentioned the “Hostile environment” column lift is also recommended where overhangs associated with “urban” and “rear command steer” trailers are reduced and unable to accept a “flat platform” retractable. |
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Double-Tier Vehicles
Double tier lifts are ideal to achieve maximum efficiency for loading and unloading these high volume vehicles. To comply with safety recommendations safety gates and grab rails must be fitted (especially if the lifting height is above 2M). A springloaded bridge plate is also required. |
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Weight/Appearance
In some applications the vehicle weight, including the tail lift, is all important in order to maximise on payload. The new aluminium platforms (available in 500/1000 and 1500kg capacities for overhead beam, quickfit and cantilever models) considerably reduce the weight of the tail lift – average savings approximately 90-120kg over its steel counterpart (depending on model and size of platform). Additionally, aluminium does not rust, is as robust as steel, gives an extremely smart appearance and being anodised, does not require painting. |
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Vehicle Length
Certain operators prefer to maximise on the vehicle length regulations – Tuk-a-Way and Retractable models that stow beneath the vehicle body give the operator this facility. |
