A common sight on delivery and work trucks, liftgates have been in use for over 50 years. Today, manufacturers offer an extensive selection of models and designs in a wide range of capacities.
Among the latest liftgate innovations is the supplemental solar charging system for liftgate batteries from Anthony Liftgates. The eNow 100-watt solar battery system provides an additional 6 amp/hr. charge to liftgate batteries during daylight hours and consists of a solar panel mounted flat on the top of the truck and a two-conductor cable that connects the panel to a charge controller located in the liftgate battery box.
Maxon Lift’s new models for 2014 include the GPT/GPTWR Tuk-A-Way. These products feature the manufacturer’s Max Grip process, which makes the platform surface more slip-resistant by mechanically indenting the surface profile. A bolt-on extension plate and steps in place of the previous weld-on method eliminate corrosion and simplify installation. The liftgate has a new opener arm design as well, which helps minimize platform opening forces throughout the applicable bed height range, and a new fixed ICC bumper and license plate holder.
Leyman Lift Gates recently announced that a new heavy-duty large steel platform is available on its SLP heavy duty Hide-A-Way tuck-under liftgate for low and high bed height applications with lifting capacities of 2,500 and 3,500 lbs. Engineers at the company recently assisted Wabash National on behalf of a mutual private fleet customer to design a factory-installed threshold plate that better accommodates its aluminum platform Hide-A-Way liftgates. Now, Leyman LAH and LHLP models can be installed on trailers with swing doors with no door alteration and on 53-ft. trailers with no added length.
For 2014 Ram ProMaster commercial vans introduced this past fall, Tommy Gate has announced a Cantilever Series design liftgate. The model has been approved for the OEM’s 2500 and 3500 vans in all three of its available wheelbases of 118, 136 and 159 in. The Cantilever Series features a hydraulic lift design equipped with extruded aluminum platforms that come with standard cart stops and fold laterally to allow for door access when the lift is not in use. It is also available for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Nissan NV and Chevy Express vans.
Waltco Lift Corp., which offers more than 50 standard liftgate models ranging in capacity from 1,250 to 6,600 lbs., has developed a medium-duty railgate featuring an aluminum-hinged platform that stores at bed height for uninhibited rear door access and dock loading. The MDL/HP is available in 1,600-, 2,000- and 3,000-lb. capacities. Waltco has also added a new flipaway gate to its product line—the EM/TC Series in 2,500- and 3,300-lb. capacities.
Palfinger Liftgates, which markets the Interlift brand, offers the ILD column lift, the ILT-WR twin fold design featuring an aluminum platform, a slide-in PowerPack and three-piece rear impact guard, the ILFP slide lift for fleets handling large and bulky products on vehicles with swing and roll-up doors, and the ILM plus medium-duty rail-type lift. A pick-up liftgate with a lifting capacity of 1,000 lbs. is also available.
Thieman Tailgates offers a full line of hydraulic liftgates for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks and trailers. Toplifters, stowaways, railgates, sideloaders, and conventional models are all part of the company’s line-up. The company’s TopLifter Series is completely assembled into one compact unit and ready to run. Simply bolt or weld it to the truck bed and connect the battery cable. Stowaway tailgates offered include a new 3,000-lb. capacity design for van and stake bodies and trailers.
SAF Holland offers a full line of liftgates to meet varying capacity and application requirements. Available in lifting capacities ranging from 2,750 lbs. up through 6,600 lbs., the line features the flagship DH Series. The DH Series comes standard in a 86 in. platform width. There are also 80 in, 96 in. and 102 in. variations.
Ultron Lift manufactures a wide range of liftgates for different vehicles in capacities ranging from 650 to 8,000 lbs. The company’s DA4000 Tuckunder liftgate has a higher capacity and larger standard aluminum platform and the DL series now has an aluminum platform and features a new hydraulic close option for hands-free operation.
For more information, visit these websites:
Anthony Liftgates
www.anthonyliftgates.com
Leyman Lift Gates
www.Leymanlift.com
Maxon Lift Corp.
www.maxonlift.com
Palfinger Liftgates
www.palfingerna.com
SAF Holland
www.safholland.us
Thieman Tailgates
www.thieman.com
Tommy Gate
www.tommygate.com
Ultron Lift
www.ultronlift.com
Waltco Lift Corp.
www.waltcoliftgates.com
