Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Lift and Bridge Devices
(1) In-Floor Hydraulic Lift
The in-floor hydraulic (ram) lift is an outdoor device that has an elevating platform. The elevating platform is pit-installed in the delivery truck-loading yard area and is driven by a hydraulic pump that permits the lift to travel in a vertical direction. The hydraulic pump is electrically operated, and in cold environments attention is given to keeping the hydraulic fluid warm.
(2) Scissors Lifts
The scissors lift is an outdoor bridge device that is an elevating or declining platform. The scissors lift has a diamond-pattern surface that has the ability to move up or down. The surface area has two sides with kick plates and handrails. Removable gates are located onto the two open sides. One open side faces the warehouse door, and the second open side faces the delivery truck. The delivery trailer end has a lip to assure a smooth transition of the pallet load handling equipment between the delivery trailer and the scissors lift.
(3) Bascule Bridge Dock
The bascule bridge dock is another outdoor bridge device. The bridge has a diamond-pattern-surface platform that is attached to the side of the building in front of the dock door. All controls are located on an interior wall of the building.
When not in operation, the bridge is in the raised position against the truck door. As required, the electronically controlled hydraulic powered unit lowers the bridge in a 90 outward arch from the building. In the lowered extended position, legs on each corner support the bridge.
(4) Tailgate Trailer
The next bridge device is the tailgate delivery trailer. When the delivery trailer is on the highway, the tailgate is stored under the delivery trailer. At the unloading and loading location, the truck electronically controlled hydraulic system unfolds the two sections of the unloading tailgate onto the ground.
(5) Wheel Lift
The next outdoor device to raise the delivery truck bed is the wheel lift. The two basic types are the manually and the hydraulically operated wheel lifts. Both wheel lifts are outdoor devices that are located next to the building and extend outward in the loading area.
The hydraulic device has controls on the inside of the building wall and has the ability to raise or lower the rear delivery truck bed to the required height for a dock board or leveler.
(6) Hi-Way Lift
The next device to reduce the height differential between the rear bed of the delivery truck and the dock is the “hi-way” lift. The hi-way lift is a hydraulic electronically controlled device that has a diamond-pattern surface. The surface is 10ft wide by 40ft long and has the capacity to lift and lower a fully loaded delivery trailer (without a tractor) to the required dock elevation.
The device is pit installed in the loading area with rams that are controlled from the inside of the building. The device requires a tractor to drop the trailer onto the surface. With the delivery trailer secured on the platform and the rear doors unlocked, the front of the lift is raised to a specific elevation.
(7) Dock Leveler Lift
The dock leveler lift is an indoor device that compensates for the elevation change between the ground level and the dock. This device is a lift-plate with a diamond-pattern surface that travels the distance between the ground level and the dock. The capacity is to hold a normal counterbalanced lift truck with an operator and pallet load.
The dock lift is equipped with a protective shroud. When the dock lift is not in use, a sensing device automatically ensures that the lift returns to the warehouse floor level. This feature, and yellow-coated chains and posts around the perimeter, improve safety.
When compared to the ramp design, one disadvantage of the lift design is that it handles only one vehicle per trip and requires greater maintenance; however, it requires only a small area.
:)
12:15 AM