Half-size tail lift
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A HYDRAULIC tail lift that is only half the width of the vehicle has been added to the Scan range made by Ray Smith (Tail Lifts) at Botolph Bridge, Peterborough.
The new model, which lifts up to 500kg (10cwt), is available with platform widths between 820 and 1140mm (32.3 and 44.9 in), and is normally mounted on the nearside so that goods can be loaded from the pavement.
The platform has an indepen dent tilt control so that it can be lined up exactly with the level of the kerb.
As with all Scan lifts, it is chassis-mounted with the platform stowing vertically against the back of the vehicle.
Not all operators need a full width tail-lift according to Ray Smith market research, so using the new model can save 160kg (3501 b) The most significant potential however is believed to lie in refrigerated transport; such operators want as little heat-gain as possible during deliveries so there are benefits in opening only one door wherever practicable.
Basically, the mechanism from one side of a full-width Scan lift is used for the halfwidth version which means that spare parts are interchangeable.
One boxed arm does the lifting, with the cantilever loads going through a deep box crossmember which also houses the electro-hydraulic power pack complete with its reservoir.
The standard length for the platform is 1,200mm (47.2in) with a 1,470mm (57.9in) option, although special sizes can be ordered at extra cost.