What Is A Liftgate & Why Would I Need One?

SHOULD YOU GET A LIFT GATE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, three out of four workplace back injuries happen as a result of tasks that involve lifting. Indeed, thousands of people are seriously injured every year while lifting, carrying, and moving objects — and many of these incidents may have been preventable. Proper lifting techniques and common-sense precautions can substantially cut down on back injuries, but sometimes an object is simply too heavy to be safely lifted. In such instances, special equipment may be necessary to assist with the task. One such tool, a lift gate, is uniquely equipped to assist workers with loading and unloading freight, thus making the process safer and easier.

What Is a Liftgate?

A liftgate is a mechanical device that’s attached to a vehicle’s rear and used to lift and lower cargo from the vehicle bed to ground level. The device is also sometimes called a tail lift, and it’s typically powered by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. There are many different kinds and brands of liftgates available, including the following:

These are just a few of the kinds of lift gates you’ll find at Texas Hydraulic & Equipment, LLC in Texas. Review our website to see what liftgates are offered by the brands we are a dealer for.

How Does It Work?

How does a hydraulic liftgate work? The answer to this question depends on exactly what kind of liftgate you opt for. Models such as the cantilever, side loader and slider work differently, for example than a rail or tuckaway liftgate. All hydraulic liftgates have a basic operational system in common, though, which relies on harnessing the power of pressurized liquid to generate movement in a mechanism. In the case of a lift gate, this is accomplished through the use of a relay switch that controls the application of hydraulic pressure. When applied to either raise or lower the liftgate, hydraulic fluid is forced through a cylinder, which produces an up or down motion.

Do I Need a Liftgate?

You might wonder whether or not a liftgate is a necessity. It may be possible to manually lift cargo to and from a vehicle in some circumstances, but the risk of injury should not be overlooked. In most cases, then, it is prudent to invest in a liftgate if cargo must be lifted in any way. This is especially true if cargo needs to be moved to an elevated platform such as a loading dock. Consider the following situations, too, that necessitate the use of a lift gate.

No Access to Loading Dock

One of the most common problems that demand the use of a liftgate is the absence of a loading dock — or access to it. In such circumstances, the facility in question may not have the capacity to load or unload a standard semi-truck trailer unless a forklift is used. Forklifts are not the safest or most efficient option, though, so a liftgate is still the preferable option in such cases. Using a liftgate can simplify delivery even for facilities that lack a standard loading dock for freight management.

Construction Sites

Construction sites commonly require the transportation and delivery of large quantities of heavy materials. It is rare, though, that construction sites will feature a loading dock that’s designated for the delivery of these materials. A liftgate offers the best solution in this circumstance because it allows for the delivery of construction supplies from floor-loaded containers, including flatbeds and trailers. This simplifies the delivery process for drivers and the recipients of the freight alike.

Residential Services and Home Delivery

Much like construction sites, personal residences are rarely equipped to unload the cargo of a semi-truck. This poses a problem if a shipment is beyond the parameters allowed by shipping providers such as FedEx or UPS. In such circumstances, a liftgate is essential to facilitating the delivery of a shipment to a residential address. Without a lift gate, unloading the freight to ground-level will be practically impossible, but a lift gate allows for the delivery of cargo to nearly any kind of recipient.

Benefits of Using a Lift Gate

The greatest benefit of using a liftgate is the ability to load and unload cargo in locations that don’t offer a designated loading dock, but there are plenty of other benefits that users can enjoy, too. The aforementioned risk of back injury can be substantially minimized by using a liftgate, so this is an important benefit to note, too. Other advantages include the following:

  • No need to use a forklift if a liftgate is available

  • Minimize staff needed to load and unload

  • Load and unload regardless of loading dock availability

These benefits make a liftgate a great investment for any transportation professional that often deals with cargo shipments. Liftgates ultimately make loading and unloading much safer than the process would otherwise be, which minimizes the likelihood of injury and reduces the liability for all parties involved. Other options, such as outsourcing shipments and depending on forklifts, simply aren’t as efficient or safe as using a lift gate.

The Best Selection of Liftgate Equipment in Texas

Liftgates are an essential piece of equipment for any freight specialist who regularly delivers large cargo shipments. When it comes time to load and unload this cargo, you need equipment that will get the job done regardless of whether or not there’s a loading dock available — and in many cases, there isn’t. If you want to minimize the likelihood of back injuries from lifting and streamline the delivery process, invest in a customized liftgate that can be installed on your vehicle. Texas Hydraulic & Equipment, LLC in Texas specializes in liftgate installation for freight professionals throughout the state of Texas. For more information, call us at (214) 748-7551 or reach out to us online.

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Written by Jocelynn Willson On