A fleet manager doesn’t want to deal with the pain (and costs) associated with a liftgate specification that fails miserably. Make sure that the following specifications for truck liftgates are followed to be certain that the right liftgate is specified for the job. In this article, we talk about how to choose the right liftgate for your truck.
Choosing the Correct Type of Liftgate
As a liftgate may break, it remains crucial to understand what liftgates are compatible with your trucks. There are three types: Cantilever, Tuck-under, or Rail-lift. Tuck-under lift gates offer a minor tilt, providing a roll-on or off aspect that may prove suitable for medium or small-sized cargo. These might get customized with level ride options.
On an alternative view, rail lifts offer a flat texture on ground surfaces or have a direct down-and-up action and may be better for loading heavy and oversized cargo. Based upon all your specific needs, take the time to observe closely the type of cargo you will haul before finally confirming the liftgate you will purchase.
Consider Retention Systems Upfront
When you decide on some model, you must carefully consider if you require retention ramps or cart stops. Do you especially not require these? Ask yourself: What do we shift? How do we ship? Do we require one singular or two cart stops? Supposing so, where do we require these cart stops placed upon each platform? Should these be on the external lining or the internal lining?
Is it hard to put more cart stops or retain them after making installations? Indeed, it is a pricey and troublesome error after making installations.
Ensure the Compatibility of Rear Door Specification with Liftgate Type
Liftgates emerge in many sizes and might get customized based on distinct factors. One essential factor is that the back doors must cohere with the liftgate models. For example, some rail-lift gate, a liftgate model, works well to load bulky and heavy goods.
Check Weight Capacity Requirements
Weighing or slowly considering all cargo objects that might be put upon the platform is necessary to ensure that all lift gates can manage the loads without these breaking and bringing about hazards for all your staff and products.
Overestimating the loaded mass works better than underestimating. You must factor in the driver’s mass and the mass of the pallet jacks employed to shove the cargo within the truck. Consult a reliable truck technician about the practical mass measurement limits and specific demands for your truck model.
Select a Liftgate that Does Not Interfere with Configurations
The chassis is purchased without factoring in oil tanks. The upfitter may contact you and diagnose the problem that the rear oil tanks are standing in the way of the liftgates. It is a fleet manager’s nightmare to get shipments of a truck with a liftgate that is incompatible with the chassis or fails to function. Project all potential errors by specifying a liftgate that performs optimally, enhances crew output, and delivers mental assurance.
Confirm the Required Platform Weight Capacity
A client might claim that since they hold a 1,500-lb. load, all they truly require is a 2,000-lb. capacity liftgate. Still, they need to factor in the weights of the pallet, driver, pallet jack, or other factors which may get applied to manage the cargo at the liftgate. An electric pallet jack considered independently weighs 300-350 lbs. Next, you have to consider the driver or if there may be a second person on the platform. So, you begin with 500-600 lbs. before considering the maximum load that you would like to carry there.