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If you’re in the business of logistics, having efficient transport systems isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. However, heavy items can be tricky to load and unload from trucks and vans if you don’t have the right equipment. This is where tail lifts come into the picture. So, what is a tail lift, and how can this equipment make lifting easier?
Tail lifts are hydraulic platforms that attach to the back of a vehicle and make transporting large, unwieldy loads easy. Tail lifts come in all shapes and sizes for different purposes. Read on to discover more about tail lift types, features and benefits.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Tail Lift
A tail lift is a mechanically operated platform mounted to the rear of a truck, some types of vans or lorry, used to lift heavy goods and cargo onto the vehicle. It is also known as a ‘liftgate’ or a ‘tailgate lift’. The liftgate is designed to save time and physical effort when loading and unloading goods.
Click here to learn about one of the most popular van types – a Luton van.
Why Use It
Here are some scenarios in which using a liftgate may be beneficial:
- Loading and unloading heavy items: Tail lifts are typically used to load and unload heavy items such as machinery, construction materials and industrial equipment.
- Deliveries: Tail lifts are used to safely and efficiently deliver goods to different locations, including warehouses and retail stores.
- Handling fragile goods: Tail lifts can be used to move fragile goods that require care during handling, such as glass and artwork.
Tip: Check to ensure that the liftgate is locked in place before each use to avoid accidents.
Types Of A Tail Lift
There are various types of tail lifts on the market, which all vary in terms of lifting capacity, functionality and operation cycle. The most common tail lifts are mentioned below.
Column Lift
Column lifts are great for vehicles with limited ground clearance. They work on a hydraulic power pack that makes them run vertically and are attached to the vehicle’s back by an H-frame. Even smaller column lifts can carry loads up to or above the vehicle load bed height, which is one of their main advantages. When not operating, a lifting platform can be put together with a back door.
Rear-Frame Column Lift
Rear-frame column lifts are excellent for reducing the weight of a vehicle. They are like regular column lifts but go with top doors mounted on vehicles. This way, there is no need for shutter doors, so it’s easier to maximise your payload without sacrificing safety.
Railgate Lift
Railgate tail lifts are similar to column lifts in design, but they usually have lower lifting capacities. Railgate tail lifts got their name from the ‘outrails’, which are usually attached to the body of the vehicle and serve as protection for the lifting platform.
Parallel Arm Lift
Parallel arm lifts are often installed on pickup and service truck bodies. These lifts are designed to support lower lifting capacities than column lifts. The lift comes with ‘arms’, which attach to the sides of the lifting platform and control it away from the liftgate mainframe.
Cantilever Lift
Cantilever lifts are usually mounted to the chassis of the truck with rams on the hinges. The design of cantilever lifts makes them ideal for heavier weights, similar to column lifts. The hinges also allow this hydraulic lift to tilt so that you can use it as a ramp. The platforms of cantilever lifts also act as the rear doors of vehicles, eliminating the need for standard-fitted doors.
Tip: When operating a tail lift, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions because different models may have different features and requirements.
Tuckaway Lift
With tuckaway lifts, you get convenience and safety rolled into one. You can easily install tuckaway lifts on your vehicle’s chassis using a foldable split platform. Also, they take up less storage space than column or cantilever lifts without restricting access to the rear of the vehicle. Their installation style also helps reduce the risk of a damaged tail lift.
Slider Lift
Slider lifts are the perfect solution for vehicle owners who want tail lifts that do not affect cargo capacity. Slider lift designs support some of the highest lifting capacities, similar to cantilever lift designs. The foldable split platform on these tail lifts stores compactly beneath the vehicle bed, making them convenient to use and easy to operate, the same as column tail lifts.
While tail lifts allow you to load items into a truck, there are also low loaders that can be attached to large trucks to haul very heavy items. Read more about low-loader trailers in our blog post.
Choose The Right Tail Lift
Here are two essential points to remember when choosing tail lifts for different truck types:
- Weight capacity: In line with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), the weight capacity of the tail lift should be able to accommodate the maximum weight of the goods or equipment you will be loading and unloading. Use sliders and cantilever lifts for heavier items.
- Type of vehicle: Not all types of tail lifts are compatible with every van or truck type and model (such as various box and panel vans) or every job. For example, cantilever lifts are good for heavy loads, while smaller column lifts are best for small vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does A Tail Lift Do?
A tail lift loads and unloads items from a vehicle. The tail lift is a mechanically operated platform mounted to the lower part of the truck to make it easier to load goods. It receives power from a hydraulic power pack, which allows it to be more efficient than manually lifting cargo.
What Is A Tail Lift Truck?
A tail lift truck is a commercial vehicle that comes with its own tail lift. The indispensable tail lift is an efficient way to load and unload your truck. It works with the help of a robust hydraulic power pack, allowing you to move cargo easily in any direction for ultimate convenience.
How Much Weight Can A Tail Lift Take?
The weight a tail lift can take depends on the type of lift and its quality. Lightweight tail lifts can handle up to 500 kg (0.5 tonnes), while heavy-duty choices provide up to an impressive 3000 kg (3 tonnes) capacity, making sure you get the lift that matches your exact requirements.
Do You Need The Training To Use A Tail Lift?
Yes, you need the training to use a tail lift. Proper tail lift usage is paramount for avoiding potentially disastrous accidents and injuries. To ensure safe practices, the training should explore how you can properly raise and lower cargo platforms, as well as how to load and unload goods using tail lifts.
Is A Tail Lift Safe?
A tail lift is safe, but you need to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using it. Proper adherence to safety standards is crucial when operating tail lifts. Knowing how best to use these pieces of equipment can be invaluable in preventing accidents and injuries, something all operators should take very seriously.
Conclusion
Now you must have a clear answer to your question, ‘What is a tail lift?’ Tail lifts offer helpful solutions for businesses in the logistics and transportation industries by safely lifting significant loads onto vehicles quickly and efficiently. By using this tool, teams can not only streamline their operations but also uphold important workplace safety standards.
