As standard a dock lift platform is raised and lowered using a constant pressure 2 button hand held control station. The 2 button control station is most commonly connected by a cord to the power unit or installed on a post on the dock lift platform.
In addition to the standard push button operating controls dock lifts can be ordered with an optional manual lowering valve that is factory installed directly on the power unit. The power unit is typically installed on the floor adjacent to the ... Read More
An Automatic Hydraulic Roll off Stop is designed to prevent a lift truck from accidentally driving off a dock lift platform when the platform is in the raised position.
An Automatic Hydraulic Roll off Stop is a hydraulic operated hinged barrier that is installed on the end of the dock lift platform opposite to the end of the platform that the truck is loaded/unloaded. With the dock lift in the fully lowered position the Automatic Hydraulic Roll off Stop is at rest in the lowered, level positi... Read More
All Pentalift mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic dock levelers are provided with a 16” long hinged lip assembly as standard. The industry standard 16” long hinged lip assembly used in conjunction with 4 ½” thick dock bumpers provides adequate lip penetration onto the truck bed for safe loading/unloading.
An optional 18” long lip assembly is very common and is recommended. The 18” long lip ensures there is adequate lip penetration onto the truck bed if the truck is backed into posi... Read More
In the majority of dock lift applications the dock lift is designed to be stored in the fully lowered position. Â However there are applications that require the docks lifts platform to remain stored in the raised position for an extended period of time.
An example of a dock lift application that requires the platform to remain stored in the raised position for an extended period of time is a dock lift that is installed into a 3 sided pit.
This link leads to drawings of dock lifts in many ... Read More
Generally industrial scissor lifts and lift tables that are equipped with guard rails must be provided with 42” high guard rails c/w a mid-rail and a 4” high toe board. The 4” high toe board prevents the operator’s foot from slipping off the lift table platform.
Removable Guard Rails: Removable guard rails are the most common design of guard rail provided. Each end of the guard rail is bolted to a threaded plate that is welded to the lift table platform. Using common hand tools it is ... Read More
In the majority of applications when the dock leveler is not in use the overhead door is closed and locked in position resting on top of the stored dock leveler.
To prevent the dock attendant from accidentally activating the dock leveler and damaging the closed locked overhead door an Overhead Door Interlock Kit is an option that is available on any model of Pentalift Hydraulic or Air Powered dock levelers.
The optional Overhead Door Interlock Kit consists of a wall mounted limit switch c/... Read More
Industrial Scissor Lifts are to be provided with toe protection for any lift table that is installed into a preformed, recessed pit. Two of the most common means to provide this toe protection is electric toe sensors and beveled toe guards.
Electric Toe Sensors: The purpose of electric toe sensors is to stop the downward travel of the lift table platform if an obstruction is encountered as the underside of the platform edges of the lift table as it lowers into the pit. This obstruction could ... Read More
The primary purpose of equipping a dock leveler with a foam insulated deck is to reduce condensation forming on the deck surface. Condensation forms on the dock leveler deck surface when there is a significant difference in the temperature between the inside and the outside of the facility at the loading dock area.
Condensation on the dock leveler deck assembly creates a safety hazard. Condensation on the dock leveler deck creates a slippery surface which could lead to an accidental fall for ... Read More
In the closed, stored position the dock leveler deck assembly is level from side to side with the buildings finished floor.
The majority of trucks that back into the loading dock usually arrive with the truck bed level to the facility floor and dock leveler platform; the dock leveler is cycled and the extended lip rests level on the bed of the truck, loading/unloading begins.
In some conditions the truck bed will not be level with the finished floor; this could be caused for various reason... Read More
Dependent on operating conditions and frequency of use dock levelers have a life expectancy of 10 - 25 years; eventually the time will come to replace the dock leveler. Â Selecting a sufficient dock leveler capacity is the key factor in determining the life span of the dock leveler.
The initial inspection to begin the replacement process should start with evaluating the condition of the dock leveler pit.
When the pit was first constructed typically a 4 piece steel curb angle set was attach... Read More