Liftgate Maintenance Tips

It may not seem like the most important piece of equipment your business owns, but your truck liftgate has a big impact on your daily operations. Whether you have one truck or 1,000, liftgates make loading and unloading faster and easier, especially with heavy cargo or in tight spaces. They are great for moving companies, cargo delivery operations, and any other business that needs to move items in trucks,

Of course, like all machines, liftgates can fail. When they do, they can cause a serious bottleneck. The truck a failed liftgate is attached to can become practically unusable. So, proper hydraulic liftgate maintenance is important. The information below will help you keep your liftgates operating at their best.

Common Failure Points of Hydraulic Liftgates

Before jumping into liftgate maintenance tips, it is helpful to understand some of the common ways that these machines fail. While comprehensive liftgate maintenance is always ideal, knowing which failure points to pay special attention to can be helpful. These are some of the most likely reasons for liftgate failure:

·  A short or bad ground in the electrical components that operate the liftgate.

· The hydraulic cylinders are damaged in some way, typically worn seals or pitting on the shaft.

· The solenoid on the motor is malfunctioning.

· The hydraulic hoses are leaking or inhibiting flow. This can be the result of improper installation or damage.

· The valves, coils or pump are not working correctly.

Signs That You May Need Maintenance

Of course, for an operator, these issues may not be immediately obvious. Even for a mechanic, they may require some investigation and troubleshooting to identify. These are some useful signs of hydraulic liftgate maintenance issues to watch for:

The Liftgate Isn’t Moving: You press the button to move the liftgate and nothing happens. This could be an issue with the motor, the controls or circuit breaker.

There Are Hydraulic Fluid Leaks: The hydraulic system is leaking. This often appears as dampness around the cylinders or along the lines. The lines and connections are the most common failure points, but old or damaged cylinders can leak too.

 Noisy Operation: Are there usual or loud noises when you move the liftgate? This is a sign that something isn’t working right. For example, squeaks may indicate that the system needs lubrication.

Slow or Stuttering Operation: Hydraulic liftgates are designed to operate smoothly and at a controlled but not crawling speed. If the liftgate is moving very slowly or has any inconsistency, this may be a sign of a problem.

When a liftgate is in good working order, it should be smooth, relatively quiet, and easy to use. So, if your liftgate is causing trouble of any kind, it may be time to get it looked at.

Liftgate Maintenance Tips

Hydraulic liftgates are impressive machines that can handle impressive amounts of cargo. However, they aren’t impervious to failure and require regular maintenance, just like your trucks and other equipment. The following tips will help you to keep your liftgates in proper working order.

Follow All Manufacturer Maintenance Recommendations

Your liftgate manufacturer has recommendations and guidelines for maintenance. These are brand- and model-specific. It is always a good idea to consult these recommendations and follow them closely. These can most commonly be found in the owner’s manual of your liftgate. Ultimately, your manufacturer knows the typical maintenance necessary to keep your lift gate in good order.

This is very similar to your vehicles’ manufacturer-recommended maintenance. Following that schedule helps to ensure that your trucks remain in good working order. The same applies to the liftgates. If you can’t find the recommended maintenance schedule, contact the manufacturer for more information.

Train Workers Fully on Liftgate Operation and Limitations

It should probably go without saying that all workers using your liftgates should know how to operate them properly. Establish a thorough training regimen that includes basic operation, common issues to watch for, and what to do in the event of a malfunction. In short, everyone operating your liftgates should always know what to do and when to hand it off to a mechanic for repair.

Depending on the nature of your business, each truck may have a crew of multiple people. If this is the case, at least one person should be fully trained on liftgate operation. Everyone else should at least have basic safety training. Additionally, all liftgates should have prominently displayed safety decals.

Always Load the Liftgate Correctly.

Strictly speaking, this tip is a subset of proper operation. However, it is such a common problem that it deserves separate mention. Always load the liftgate correctly according to manufacturer recommendations. Improperly loaded liftgates can be serious safety issues. They also can cause hydraulic liftgate maintenance issues. Proper loading is essential.

Perform Daily Visual Inspections Before Use

Have your workers perform a daily inspection checklist before using a liftgate in the field. This should include looking for signs of the common failures listed above. It should also include looking for any other indications of faults and reporting them. Simply looking over the liftgate’s working mechanisms should help identify any possible problems early so that they can be fixed.

Work With a Capable Liftgate Mechanic

Arguably the most important hydraulic liftgate maintenance tip is to find a capable team to service your liftgates for you. These machines should be worked on by specialists who are familiar with their intricacies. Furthermore, liftgate specialists will be used to working primarily with businesses like yours. Therefore, they can more easily work with your schedule and practices. They will understand the importance of getting your equipment back in the field promptly.

Create a Clear Process for Reporting Problems

One of the most common reasons for serious failures of liftgates is a problem that went unreported. Workers often notice when things aren’t quite right with their liftgates. For example, they may note a strange noise or stuttering when the gate is operating. These problems may seem minor at first, but they can quickly balloon.

The best solution for this is to have a clear process for reporting issues. It is also a good idea to clearly acknowledge that equipment can break without anyone being at fault. Worry that they may be blamed is a common reason for failing to report issues.

Always Store the Liftgate Properly When Not in Use

Finally, make sure always to store the liftgate in the proper position when it isn’t in use. Although liftgates are designed to handle the significant weight, they can be susceptible to breaking if used or loaded improperly, even when they are stowed. No one should ever climb on or otherwise misuse liftgates. This is both a maintenance and safety issue that you should take seriously.

Get Help Maintaining Your Liftgates in Dallas Fort Worth, TX

With the above liftgate maintenance tips in mind, you will be able to keep these valuable pieces of equipment working smoothly. Whenever one breaks, make sure to contact Texas Hydraulic & Equipment, LLC. We are Hutchins, Texas-based liftgate specialists. Contact us today and get help with all your hydraulic liftgate maintenance, repair, and installation needs. Click here to see all the services we provide.

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