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Column lift construction
Column lift
Tail lifts of this type are raised and lowered by means of columns with chains/cables and guides. Because the platform is driven symmetrically by the frame in which the chains run, shaking and jerking are never a problem. The biggest advantage is that the column lift can be stopped precisely at different levels, which is important for car and livestock transport on multiple levels and for removal vans.
Popular in Great Britain
The largest manufacturer of column lifts is Ratcliff, a subsidiary of Palfinger, which is based in England and Wales. This explains the greater popularity of these tail lifts in Great Britain than in the rest of Europe. Installation is easier, because the tail lift is mounted in a frame and can be mounted to the back of the cargo body as a unit. The platform can be larger, because it is mounted in a frame with a larger surface area. This does depend on the material from which the frame and platform are made, however.