If any part of your business involves loading or unloading freight, you'll likely benefit from installing lift gates on your trucks or vans. Lift gates attach to the back or sides of most trucks, providing a platform that can be raised or lowered to make moving most any object, from appliances to freight, much easier. No matter how they are used, lift gates can be a great asset to your company.

You can attach a hydraulic lift gate to the back or side of your cargo van, or industrial lift gates to box trucks or dump trucks. Some lift gate suppliers can even make a custom lift gate, within reason, to fit the type of truck you're currently using. If you're ready to find a lift gate for sale, consider these lift gates basics before making a purchase:

1. See the many types of lift gates available;

2. Find out what types of trucks can utilize lift gates;

3. Learn about specialty lift gates for use on specific jobs.

Action Steps
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View the different types of lift gates available from the top lift gate manufacturers

While the main function of lift gates is to lower and raise anything from boxes to furniture, many of the top lift gate manufacturers provide more than one type of product. From slide-away or foldaway to security lift gates, determine which is best for your work or vehicle type through checking out product specifications and features.

I recommend: Waltco Hydraulic Liftgates offers conventional, slide-away, foldaway, rail-type and even side loading lift gates, and you can view each one and download spec sheets on their website. Get specifics and watch an animated video about the SLP Hide-A-Way platform from Leyman Lift Gates.

Make sure your business vehicles can easily accommodate lift gates

If you're making occasional deliveries in lightweight pick-up trucks or SUVs, chances are you won't need or even be able to install lift gates. Check out which types of trucks are best for use with lift gates, and which lift gates are best for certain kinds of trucks, before you decide to purchase lift gates.

I recommend: Leading lift gate manufacturer Tommy Gate has a product series designed for different types of truck bodies, from utility truck bodies to dump truck bodies and more. See lift gates on cargo vans, cube trucks, dump trucks, full-sized pick-up trucks and more at NBC Truck Equipment.

Utilize lift gates designed for specific uses

When it comes to lift gates, one size, or type, does not fit all. Depending on what you're using lift gates for, you may need side rails, larger platforms, higher load capacities or other specific requirements that some lift gates cannot offer. In these instances, you'll have to turn to specialty lift gates.

I recommend: Maxon offers a few specialty lift gate models, such as swivel loaders or lift gates with special cylinder securing systems for transporting gas cylinders or bottles. Anthony LiftGates has heavy-duty and medium gas bottle lift gates to meet all the delivery needs of that specific type of business. Ezy-Lift manufactures an innovative lift system designed specifically for use in pick-up trucks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always lower a lift gate all the way to the ground before loading or unloading contents to avoid injury or accidents.

Industrial lift gates come in all sizes and configurations. If you do any hauling of heavy materials with your company, it only makes sense to install lift gates on your trucks. Whether you purchase new hydraulic lift gates or choose used lift gates, the workers who routinely load heavy materials into your vehicles will appreciate how much easier and safer lift gates make their jobs.

While lift gates almost always need tailoring to your vehicle, in general there are three main types. Each has several modified versions that lift gate suppliers provide for their customers, and each of the version can be customized for your vehicle and your specific lifting load. A typical lifting gate fits on a truck, but you can purchase a car lift gate if that best suits your transportation needs.

The three main types of lift gates are:

1. Rear-mounted truck lift gates.

2. Side-mounted truck lift gates.

3. Custom-made lift gates work for pickup trucks and cars, as well as larger trucks.

Action Steps
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Decide which vehicle would work best with a hydraulic lift gate

Study all the types of lift gates available for your particular vehicle. Then, you need to decide what the lifting capacity of a particular lift should be. Next, decide if your lift gate should retract under the bed of the truck or extend the end of the truck bed when it's not in use.

I recommend: Waltco Truck Equipment offers a wide range of industrial lift gates. The Maxon Lift Corporation is another quality distributor.

Install the lift gate on the truck

Hire your own mechanics to install the lift gate, or let a factory trained lift gate installer perform the service. If you do it yourself, be sure to read and follow all directions carefully.

I recommend: Eagle Lift Gates provide exact specs on their website for each of their lift gate models. Anthony Liftgates not only provides specs, they also provide installation and owner's manuals on their website so you can see just how difficult a gate is to install before you make your decision.

Find custom designed lift gates

Choose a reputable company that can provide the custom lift gate you want.

I recommend: Tommy Gate is an industry leader in providing lift gates for all purposes, from big trucks to personal vehicles. Ezy-Lift provides a different type lift gate product for loading heavy items into pickup trucks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you install lift gates on your trucks, be sure you also install the appropriate bumpers to protect your investment. No matter how good the driver is, there will be times when he backs into a spot just a little bit crooked or a bit too hard. In these situations, the proper bumper protects your lift gate.

The lift gate is not just another gizmo: to those who really work at moving any large amount of bulky or heavy materials, or really any kind of materials at all, the lift gate is literally worth its weight in gold. This simple hydraulic lift makes loading and unloading a snap, and saves tons of time and wear on the bodies of delivery staff. But part of using a lift gate is knowing how to use it and what makes it work.

Another part of knowing about lift gates is learning how to install them. For all of these kinds of training, check out online agencies that help get teaching solutions for all of the tasks involved with a hydraulic lift gate or similar piece of equipment. Those looking for instruction can find:

1. Courses geared toward OSHA and federal compliance for industrial equipment in a workplace.

2. Other safety classes and training for new or used lift gates and other gear.

3. Hydraulics training for learning about the fundamental workings of hydraulic lift gates.

Action Steps
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Use large spectrum industrial lift gates training companies related to OSHA compliance

One option for training staff or getting more skills related to the use of lift gates and other gear is through companies focused on OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), America's federal workplace safety authority. Choose courses related to the trucking or delivery business for a look at how lift gate use affects workers. These courses can cover installation: ask a rep about how their classes will help staff to correctly install one of these complex machines on a truck.

I recommend: The OSHA Institute of America offers training courses geared toward OSHA compliance: Look for more at the online site of safety trainer Safety Head.

Find more industrial lift gates training options from general training companies

Other companies can also provide general training on installation, use and maintenance of lift gates and other gear. Again, ask reps specifically about the kinds of instruction you're looking for.

I recommend: Pure Safety offers online safety training through its site. Another online institute run by CAM Environmental Services offers the online option for training that will teach staff how to properly operate and use lift gates and other equipment. "Ergonomics for Non-Office Workers" addresses the way people interact with the lifting gate when loading and unloading materials. Other courses cover other aspects of making sure these tools are always handled properly.

Get into the inner workings of vehicle or security lift gates with specialized hydraulics training

Hydraulics training can help with educating workers who may some day install a custom lift gate or similar piece of equipment. Hydraulics training can get an individual closer to knowing about the inner workings of these machines -- and how to promote safety.

I recommend: American Trainco courses offer a deep understanding of hydraulic components such as those that power the lift gates you use every day. Another good solutions for learning about lift gates and hydraulic gear can be found at Basic Hydraulics, where a one-day course (with locations in Chicago IL and Columbus OH) will inform those who attend on the workings of various hydraulic gear.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always evaluate using a professional shop to put in lift gates and other complex equipment. Don't neglect training for those who will be using the lift gates, as this can be a difficult activity to provide risk management for!

Lift gates have been bearing the burden of heavy loads for more than 60 years. Knowing lift gates key terms can help you determine the size, style and specification to meet virtually any need. From small handicap lifts in vans and small buses to large rail lifts that load and unload thousands of pounds, lift gates can handle most any size load in a variety of applications.

If your business is in the market for lift gates, below is a handful of good-to-know terms to get you started in learning the ups and downs of the product.

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Flipaway

The flipaway style of lift gate, also known as foldaway, slideaway or tuckaway, is made for both medium-duty and heavy-duty applications. The gate stores completely beneath the bottom rear of the vehicle, allowing easy dock loading and access to the rear door.

I recommend: Check out the selection of flipaway lift gates at Waltco, where you can also watch a quick video animation of how the flipaway style of lift gate works.

Rail

Rail-type lift gates are made for both medium- and heavy-duty lifting. They are versatile and have large platforms, making them the standard lift gate choice for many applications.

I recommend: There's a great graphic at Quality Truck & Equipment Company that shows and describes the features that come standard on many rail-type lift gates.

Pickup series

The term pickup series refers to the type of lift gates made specifically for use with pickup trucks. They are available to fit virtually all sizes of pickup trucks and generally used for light- to medium-duty applications.

I recommend: Take a look at the pickup series of liftgates available at Tommy Gate, complete with features, specifications and a photo gallery.

Conventional

Conventional lift gates have platforms that store flush against the back of a truck. The platform serves as a tailgate for vehicles that don't have a rear door or doors. They're designed for general freight loading and can be used with pickups as well as other trucks and trailers.

I recommend: Check out the nine conventional models at Anthony Liftgates, the company that invented lift gates and lays claim to a number of industry-first innovations since its inception in 1941.

Slider

The slider style of lift gate is a rear-mounted gate designed for use with virtually any dock configuration.

I recommend: Take a look at three different sliders, their capacities and the applications each is designed to be used in at Maxon Lift.