Shenzhen Cadro Hydraulic Equipment Co.,Ltd
Views: 220 Author: cadrotaillift Publish Time: 2025-07-08 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● Understanding Tail Lifts: An Overview
>> What is a Cantilever Tail Lift?
>> Advantages of Cantilever Tail Lifts
>> Disadvantages of Cantilever Tail Lifts
>> What is a Folding Tail Lift?
>> Advantages of Folding Tail Lifts
>> Disadvantages of Folding Tail Lifts
● Comparing Cantilever and Folding Tail Lifts
● Which Tail Lift Suits Your Business Best?
>> Consider Your Load Requirements
>> Evaluate Your Loading Environment
>> Prioritize Speed and Safety
>> Consider Vehicle and Fuel Efficiency
● Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In the logistics, transportation, and delivery industries, tail lifts are essential equipment that facilitate the loading and unloading of goods. Choosing the right type of tail lift can significantly impact operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Two of the most common types used on medium and heavy trucks are cantilever tail lifts and folding tail lifts. This article explores the differences between these two types, their advantages and disadvantages, and helps you determine which one best suits your business needs.
A tail lift (also known as a tailgate lift) is a mechanical device installed on the rear of trucks, vans, or utes to raise and lower goods between the ground and the vehicle's cargo area. Tail lifts are invaluable when goods need to be loaded or unloaded at locations without loading docks or when manual handling is impractical or unsafe.
Tail lifts also serve as a bridge plate, connecting the vehicle to a dock for smooth transfer of goods, although weight restrictions apply. The most common types for medium rigid and heavy rigid trucks are cantilever and folding tail lifts, while smaller vehicles often use column or railgate tail lifts.
A cantilever tail lift features a platform that forms part or all of the rear door of the vehicle. It operates by folding up and down using hydraulic tilt rams. When not in use, the platform stands vertically against the rear doors, and when deployed, it lowers to the ground and then raises horizontally to align with the vehicle's cargo floor.
- Quick Deployment: Only two actions are needed — fold open the platform and lower it to the ground. This simplicity makes cantilever lifts faster to operate than folding types.
- Safety: The driver does not need to step into traffic lanes to open a rear door, reducing the risk of accidents.
- No Manual Handling: Unlike folding tail lifts, cantilever lifts do not require the driver to manually handle heavy components.
- Higher Load Capacity: Cantilever tail lifts tend to have larger weight capacities, sometimes approaching 10 tonnes, making them suitable for very heavy loads.
- Better Ground Clearance: The design provides more clearance at the rear of the truck, reducing the risk of the mechanism hitting the ground when navigating steep driveways or uneven terrain.
- Stronger Bridge Plate: They generally offer better support as a bridge plate between the vehicle and dock.
- Dock Sealing Issues: When backing up to chiller docks, trucks with cantilever lifts cannot form a tight seal around the dock face because space must be left for the tail lift to retract.
- Forklift Limitations: Heavy forklifts may be unable to load directly into the truck if their weight exceeds the tail lift's rated capacity.
Folding tail lifts come in two main varieties: slider (retractable) and tuck-under (tuck-away). These lifts fold into sections and are stored underneath the rear of the vehicle when not in use. The driver must manually unfold the platform before lowering it to the ground.
- Dock Compatibility: Folding lifts are better suited for dock loading. The truck can reverse to the dock, open its doors, and unload without deploying the tail lift, which stays out of the way.
- Lighter Weight: Folding tail lifts generally weigh less than cantilever lifts, which can slightly increase the vehicle's payload capacity and improve fuel economy.
- Compact Storage: When folded, the tail lift is tucked neatly under the vehicle, preserving rear clearance and protecting the lift from damage during transit.
- Slower Deployment: The process of unfolding and lowering the platform takes longer than with cantilever lifts.
- Manual Handling Required: The driver must physically unfold the lift, which can be labor-intensive and pose safety risks.
- Lower Load Capacity: Folding lifts typically have lower weight limits, often up to around 3,000 kg, making them less suitable for very heavy loads.
- Limited Bridge Plate Use: They cannot be used as a bridge plate without specialized forklift locks.
- Safety Concerns: The driver must open the tail lift and then the rear doors, sometimes requiring stepping into traffic lanes, which increases risk.
- Ground Clearance Issues: Because the folded lift sits under the truck, it can drag on the road when entering or exiting steep driveways.
| Feature | Cantilever Tail Lift | Folding Tail Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Load Capacity | Up to ~10 tonnes (heavy loads) | Up to ~3 tonnes (lighter loads) |
| Deployment Speed | Faster (2-step operation) | Slower (manual unfolding required) |
| Driver Effort | Minimal manual handling | Requires manual unfolding |
| Dock Loading | Less ideal (cannot seal dock tightly) | Better suited (lift stays out of the way) |
| Ground Clearance | Higher clearance, less risk of damage | Lower clearance, risk of dragging |
| Bridge Plate Use | Stronger, can be used as bridge plate | Limited, requires forklift locks |
| Safety | Safer (no need to open rear doors first) | More risk (driver must open lift and doors) |
| Weight on Vehicle | Heavier, may reduce payload capacity | Lighter, better fuel economy |
| Suitability | Heavy-duty, uneven ground, fast operation | Medium duty, dock environments, lighter loads |
If your business regularly handles heavy or bulky loads, a cantilever tail lift is likely the better choice due to its higher capacity and sturdier platform. For lighter loads or smaller vehicles, folding tail lifts offer a practical and economical option.
Businesses that frequently load at docks might prefer folding tail lifts because they allow direct access to the cargo area without deploying the lift. Conversely, if you often need to load in locations without docks or on uneven ground, cantilever lifts provide better ground clearance and ramp functionality.
Cantilever tail lifts are quicker to deploy and safer for drivers since they require less manual handling and reduce exposure to traffic lanes. If operational speed and driver safety are priorities, cantilever lifts have an edge.
Folding tail lifts tend to be lighter, which can slightly increase payload capacity and improve fuel economy. For businesses where these factors are critical, folding lifts may be advantageous.
Folding tail lifts are generally less expensive to purchase and maintain due to simpler mechanisms and lighter weight. Cantilever lifts, while more costly, offer durability and higher performance for demanding applications.
While cantilever and folding tail lifts dominate medium and heavy truck applications, column and railgate tail lifts are common on smaller vehicles like utes and light trucks. These are lighter duty lifts with lower capacities and simpler operation, suitable for smaller loads and vehicles.
Q1: Can a cantilever tail lift be used on small trucks or vans?
A: Cantilever tail lifts are usually designed for medium to heavy trucks due to their size and weight capacity. Smaller vehicles typically use column or railgate tail lifts which are lighter and easier to retrofit.
Q2: Are folding tail lifts safer than cantilever tail lifts?
A: Cantilever tail lifts are generally considered safer because they require less manual handling and the driver does not need to step into traffic lanes to operate the lift or open doors.
Q3: How much weight can a folding tail lift handle?
A: Folding tail lifts typically have weight capacities up to around 3,000 kilograms, making them suitable for medium-duty applications.
Q4: Do tail lifts require special driver training?
A: Yes, all tail lifts require proper training to prevent injuries related to crush hazards, falls, and load instability. Training also covers safe operation and load limits.
Q5: Can tail lifts be used as ramps?
A: Cantilever tail lifts can tilt and act as ramps or bridge plates between the vehicle and dock. Folding tail lifts generally cannot unless equipped with special forklift locks.
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