Pickup Truck Liftgates: Considerations for Liftgate Installations

Pickup Truck Liftgates – Everything You Need to Know

Liftgates are a great investment for your pickup truck, providing an incredible amount of productivity for the least amount of effort. Without requiring any other equipment, you'll be able to safely load, haul, and unload extremely heavy objects with ease on your own. There are several key considerations to make when selecting a liftgate for your pickup truck – and as Texas's premier liftgate installation experts, we've compiled those tips for you in this short guide on selecting the right liftgate.

WHAT TYPE OF PICKUP TRUCK WILL THE LIFTGATE BE INSTALLED ON?

Start with the make, model, and year of your pickup truck – the most important first step for ensuring you only spend time looking at liftgates that are compatible with what you already have. Compatibility is so important that those looking for new trucks would do well to investigate which liftgates are compatible with each truck they are considering buying because having the right liftgate for your needs is just as important for productivity as the truck itself.

Certain manufacturers typically work well with and consistently make liftgates for particular lines of trucks. If you need the quickest help steering your liftgate search in the right direction, don't hesitate to contact your local specialist.

WHAT WILL THE LIFTGATE BE LIFTING?

The right liftgate on the right truck can load cargo as heavy as several full oil drums. Remember to always round up when calculating cargo weight to ensure you never exceed this limit. For example, if you are lifting a 1,150-pound object, it's best to consider it an even 1,200 pounds.

Liftgates have the incredible advantage of allowing you to transport extremely heavy items, as well as load and unload your truck safely and easily. This is equally indispensable on construction sites as it is for moving or hauling large amounts of equipment from the hardware store yourself when the ability to load and unload without other equipment offers a tremendous workflow advantage.

When selecting liftgates, consider what you'll be hauling now and in the future, and consider it from the perspective of, "Is there any big reason not to get the strongest liftgate possible?" You'll be glad you did in the long run.

Planning to Install a Pickup Truck Liftgate? Make Sure You Consider….

After ensuring you are only shopping for liftgates designed to fit the size and weight ratings of your truck, there are only a few key factors you'll need to master when selecting the best liftgate for your purposes.

THE LIFTING CAPACITY YOU WILL NEED

Most liftgates on the market are made to lift anywhere from 750 to 1500 pounds. If you're certain a smaller capacity liftgate will meet your needs, then it will be a cheaper option. However, in our experience, it's rare that one doesn't eventually find some need for maximum possible lift capacity once they experience the utility of having a liftgate.

Our recommendation is to get the strongest liftgate possible regarding:

• Your truck's weight and load ratings

• The size of the objects needing transportation

• Your particular needs

• Climate and related factors

THE LIFTGATE’S PLATFORM SIZE

Most liftgate platforms are made to fit the maximum width of the vehicle it's mounted on. The only choice you usually have to make is the depth of the platform, aka "loading depth." Sizing the platform to fit the items you need it for is a straightforward calculation; just be sure not to include the loading tapers or the surface of the liftgate's mainframe (liftgate specs usually do not include these in their platform dimensions).

THE PLATFORM MATERIAL

Again, consider the materials being transported as follows:

• If it involves liquids, you should select a porous material designed to allow the liquids to pass through, such as Tommy Traction or Bar Grate platforms.

• Corrosive materials will require a corrosion-resistant platform – but this requires a trade-off, as corrosion-resistant materials are often less strong.

• In humid climates, galvanized steel or extruded aluminum will ensure the liftgate lasts a long time without rusting (this can be a downside to tread plate steel, which cannot be galvanized).

Why Choose TEXAS HYDRAULIC & EQUIPMENT, LLC

Since 1945, Texas Hydraulic & Equipment Company has been repairing and installing liftgates for the Texas communities we're proud to call home. We've also served some of the largest companies in America, and in 1970, we leveraged our expertise to create a line of our own, Quenco Liftgates.

As a result of working closely with all liftgate manufacturers, our shop is fully equipped to handle any liftgate installation or repair need. Our family-run operation understands how important service is to all of our valued customers and our local businesses.

Box Tuck Liftgate Installation & Repair in Dallas

If you're looking for world-class liftgate technology, look no further than Texas Hydraulic. Our expert liftgate services provide everything you need to keep your new and used liftgates in top working order and with quick service turnarounds. If you have any questions or would like a quick and accurate quote, don't hesitate to give us a call at 214-748-7551 or send us a message here.

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Buying Liftgates for Box Trucks: What To Know

Buying Liftgates for Box Trucks: What To Know

There are a wide variety of box truck liftgate applications because of the wide variety of vehicle designs and lifting demands. A few key issues must be addressed before settling on the ideal liftgate.

Looking for a liftgate but not sure where to begin? We look at the various liftgates for box trucks that you may utilize.

WHAT WILL THE LIFTGATE BE LIFTING?

Knowing what the liftgate will be lifting is essential to establishing the necessary style, lifting capability, platform size, and other choices. The efficient loading and unloading of cargo from trucking equipment is made possible by the use of advanced hydraulic systems. Consider that other criteria will likely further narrow compatibility, but this is a crucial step in reducing the number of suitable liftgate types for any specific usage.

1. SIZE OF THE PLATFORM

   To know how much space you'll need for loading, you must consider every possible scenario. For instance, a Railgate's stated load width of 83 inches can be closer to 80 or 81 inches at the platform's back, depending on the self-closing mechanisms and other design features.
   

2. LIFTING CAPACITY

   When selecting a box truck with a lift gate, a user's first consideration will be its maximum permissible lifting capability. If the user knows the liftgate will never have to move more than 800 pounds at a time, then they have a greater selection of lifts from which to pick than someone who has to move more than 2000 pounds.
   

3. OPTIONS - LIFT GATE FOR BOX TRUCK

   Lifting equipment that requires wheels or a cart is more likely to benefit from a Cart Stop or Retention Ramp. These features are not always standard on many Railgate and Tuckunder versions, so it is important to ask about when considering your next liftgate.
   

4. PLATFORM MATERIAL

   Operators in very corrosive locations will want a platform resistant to corrosion. At the same time, those transporting liquids that are easily spilled will benefit from a loading surface made of a material that enables liquid to flow through it.
   

WILL THE VEHICLE NEED TO LOAD OR UNLOAD AT A RAISED DOCK?

Many businesses experience a snag when they discover they need to load and unload cargo at both an elevated port and street level. There are various types of liftgates that all work to address this issue. 

1. Tuckunder lifts, as its name implies, stow away under the truck's bed, so they're out of the way whenever the back of the truck meets a dock. 

2. Dropping platforms are available on several Railgate types, allowing the platform to be stored out of the way when not in use.

3. Truck bed heights may fall short of loading dock heights in several cases. This scenario suggests the potential usefulness of the "above bed" feature of the Railgate paradigm.

WHAT ARE THE VEHICLE DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS?

Likewise, the lift gate for box truck types that work best with a specific vehicle will be determined by the vehicle's specs. Choosing the correct liftgate is crucial based on several parameters, including body width and bed height.

1. BED HEIGHT

   The height of the truck's bed is also a crucial factor, especially when considering a tuckaway-style gate. To take this measurement, make sure your truck is parked on flat ground and measure from the floor of your box to the ground. One contributing factor is the size of the platform and the

   required bed height range are important to ensure that the platform will be able to stow and

   unstow, along with being able to travel from the back of the truck to the ground correctly

   during use. When determining how far a liftgate's platform may be lifted or lowered, the term

   "travel" is used. It means that the lift gate for the box truck will not work if the height of the

   the vehicle's bed exceeds its maximum or minimum travel.
   

2. OVERALL WIDTH

   Knowing the overall body width is also a vital first step in choosing your lift gate for a box truck

   because most are designed to fit certain body widths.

WHY CHOOSE TEXAS HYDRAULIC AND EQUIPMENT, LLC?

Texas Hydraulic and Equipment is a company that stands out in the industry because of its expertise in servicing and repairing hydraulic liftgates. Many major organizations in the United States have facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and Texas Hydraulic has been their go-to liftgate repair shop since 1945.

BOX TRUCK LIFTGATE INSTALLATION AND REPAIR IN DALLAS

We're happy to support the success of companies in Dallas, Desoto, and Mesquite, Texas, where we grew up. When your lift gate for box truck stops working correctly, you can rely on us to help you replace it or solve the problem quickly. When you need a liftgate installed or repaired on your box truck, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

Hydraulic Pump Troubleshooting Guide

HOW TO FIX HYDRAULIC PUMPs

A single malfunctioning liftgate hydraulic pump can stall work for an extended period of time. We know how important it is to know about the gear you rely on, and to keep your business running smoothly, we've compiled this helping guide for hydraulic pump troubleshooting. Though it never hurts to have a backup of essential equipment on hand, it's much more sustainable to be able to fix what's already there – or even to fix the malfunctioning unit after it's been replaced. Either way, you'll need to know how to troubleshoot a liftgate hydraulic pump if yours breaks down right there at a time-sensitive job site.

Are Power Units & Pump and Motor Assemblies Different?

The vast majority of the time, the terms "power unit" and "motor assembly" are used synonymously in equipment manuals. These terms amount to the hydraulic pump found on most liftgates, which is comprised of several key components:

• Pump

• Reservoir

• Motor

• Valves

• Solenoid

While many industries increasingly make it more expensive to repair parts than to replace them, we'll cover the most common problems for hydraulic pump troubleshooting to keep your gear operating well without costly new parts.

Air Leaking Into the System?

When air gets into the system, the liftgate pump will operate more slowly, erratically, or not at all. It can also cause foaming oil. These issues point to the nature of the problem, as follows:

• Inoperable system: The pump suction line could be leaking and should be replaced if tightening its clamps doesn't have any effect.

• Erratic or slow operation: If an air leak causes this, it will be at the suction side, where the hose must be refitted or replaced.

• Foaming oil: A leak on the suction side can also bring air into the fuel mixture, damaging the motor. If replacing the suction line doesn't entirely solve this, the component seals likely also need to be replaced.

Water Leaking Into the System?

Water from the reservoir or pump can leak, leaving a visible clue of the most apparent problem. If the seal seems fine, it could be as simple as tightening the parts surrounding the leak. Look to the fluid seal around the piston for more complicated issues, which undergo extreme pressure and temperatures. Like any gasket, it's inevitable that they will fail, given enough time. If there are signs of a deteriorating fluid seal, you'll need to service the pump:

• Drain the pump, removing it as necessary

• Remove the piston and the failed seal

• Replace with a new fluid seal

• Replace your hydraulic fluid – use a minimally abrasive one for minimizing wear in the future
  Even an unseated seal could indicate the need to replace it because it likely displaced itself for a reason (even if not obvious). It could be warped or bent, and it's probably necessary to replace it.

We also recommend cleaning your filters and regularly checking the hydraulic fluid levels. Most of the time, the seal is the only part needing replacement – but letting hydraulic fluid run dry and/or the filters become dirty can lead to accumulated metal flakes that could destroy more than the seal.

Pump Noise Has Recently Increased?

When the hydraulic pump becomes noticeably louder, the issue could be one or a combination of the following:

• Oil issues (low oil, incorrect oil, suction hose leak creating foamy oil)

• A restricted suction line and/or inlet screen must be cleaned or replaced

• The inlet's pipe fitting may be the incorrect type

Pump Delivering Too Little or No Flow?

Unreliable liftgate operation is most commonly caused by flow issues, especially if it functions intermittently and variably. Aside from apparent leaking – in both the air hoses and hydraulic pump – a worn or dirty pump could be the culprit. If your hydraulic pump is old and well-used, this may be it. While cleaning it, check the valves, cylinders, and surrounding components for signs of excessive wear, especially metal gauges that could indicate a more serious issue.

When to Take The Vehicle To A Professional

If your hydraulic pump troubleshooting efforts turn up internal metal damage or even just many multiple failed parts at the same time, we recommend having the entire unit inspected by a professional. Unfortunately, this could lead to needing to simply replace the entire unit, but not all the time. It could be just a matter of a rare part and not some impossibility of repair, which is especially prevalent as manufacturers constantly change their designs and decide against manufacturing replacement parts. This makes having a trusted hydraulic specialist all the more important so that you can keep your equipment maintained for as long as possible and maintain independence from OEM part obsolescence.

Texas Hydraulic & Equipment – Your Community Hydraulic Pump Experts

Texas Hydraulic & Equipment can help diagnose what’s wrong with your hydraulic pump and repair it for you. Regular maintenance and repair of hydraulic systems are essential for maintaining precise pressure control and consistent flow rates. We're proud to do our part in keeping our local businesses running their best in our hometown Texas communities like Dallas, Desoto, and Mesquite. When your heavily relied-on hydraulic parts become unreliable, you can count on us to help you repair or replace them and even help you troubleshoot hydraulic pump issues on your own. For liftgate hydraulic pump issues, or any pump-and-motor assembly needs, don't hesitate to give us a call at 214-748-7551 or email, or visit us!

Image Credit: Denys Yelmanov/Shutterstock