Lift Gate Pallet Jack

Lift gate basics

What is a lift gate

A lift gate (also called liftgate or tailgate lift) is a hydraulic platform mounted at the rear of a truck that raises and lowers to transfer freight between ground level and truck bed height.

Common lift gate types

• Tuck-under. Folds under truck when not in use; most common on delivery trucks.
• Rail gate. Slides along rails on truck sides; larger platform area.
• Cantilever. Folds up against rear door; good for full-width access.
• Column lift. Mast-mounted platform; high capacity options.

Typical lift gate specifications

Pallet jack requirements for lift gates

Size constraints

The pallet jack must fit on the lift gate platform with the pallet:

• Overall length. Jack + pallet must fit on platform depth.
• Width. Must fit within platform width.
• Turning. May need to turn on platform—consider turning radius.

Weight considerations

Critical: pallet jack weight counts against lift gate capacity:

• Jack weight. Typically 60-85 kg (130-185 lb) for standard manual jacks.
• Load weight. The pallet and contents.
• Operator weight. If riding on platform (not recommended).
• Combined weight. Must not exceed lift gate rating.

Example calculation

Recommended pallet jack features

Compact design

• Shorter forks. 914-1,067 mm (36-42 inches) vs. standard 1,219 mm (48 in).
• Narrow width. Standard or narrow fork spacing.
• Short handle. Compact handle reduces overall length.

Light weight

• Lighter jacks leave more capacity for freight
• Aluminum frames available (significantly lighter)
• Trade-off: lighter often means lower capacity

Appropriate capacity

• Match jack capacity to typical loads
• Don't over-specify—larger capacity means heavier jack
• Consider maximum pallet weight you'll handle

Durability

• Delivery environment is harsh—vibration, weather, frequent use
• Quality construction withstands repeated loading/unloading
• Corrosion-resistant materials for weather exposure

Types of pallet jacks for lift gate use

Standard manual pallet jacks

• Capacity. 2,000-2,500 kg (4,400-5,500 lb).
• Weight. 65-85 kg (145-185 lb).
• Fork length. Standard 1,150-1,220 mm—may be too long for smaller lift gates.
• Best when. Lift gate is large enough, loads are heavy.

Short fork pallet jacks

• Fork length. 914-1,067 mm (36-42 in).
• Advantage. Better fit on lift gates, still handles standard pallets.
• Limitation. Less fork engagement—verify load stability.
• Best for. Most lift gate delivery operations.

Narrow pallet jacks

• Width. 450-520 mm (18-20 in) outside fork width.
• Application. Half pallets, narrow loads, tight spaces.
• Limitation. Won't work with standard 40" or 48" pallets.

Aluminum pallet jacks

• Weight. 40-55 kg (90-120 lb)—significantly lighter.
• Capacity. Usually 1,500-2,000 kg (3,300-4,400 lb).
• Advantage. More lift gate capacity available for freight.
• Consideration. Higher cost, may dent more easily.
• Price. $500-1,000 (vs. $300-500 for steel).

Electric pallet jacks

• Weight. 150-400+ kg—uses significant lift gate capacity.
• Capacity. 2,000-3,000 kg.
• Best when. High volume, heavy loads, large lift gate capacity.
• Challenge. Heavy weight limits load capacity on most lift gates.

Operating on lift gates

Loading the lift gate

1. Position lift gate at truck bed height
2. Roll pallet jack with load onto lift gate
3. Center load on platform
4. Lower forks (load resting on lift gate)
5. Position pallet jack for balance
6. Verify combined weight within lift gate capacity

Lowering to ground

1. Ensure area below is clear
2. Operator stays on truck bed or ground—not on lift gate
3. Lower lift gate smoothly to ground
4. Wait for platform to stabilize
5. Raise pallet jack forks under load
6. Roll load off lift gate carefully

Raising from ground

1. Position lift gate at ground level
2. Roll loaded pallet jack onto platform
3. Center and lower load
4. Operator exits lift gate
5. Raise lift gate to truck bed height
6. Roll load into truck

Safety rules

• Never exceed capacity. Combined weight must stay within rating.
• Operator off platform. Don't ride on lift gate while operating.
• Centered load. Keep weight centered on platform.
• Stable before moving. Wait for platform to settle.
• Watch edges. Don't roll too close to platform edges.
• Ground conditions. Ensure stable, level surface for unloading.

Challenges and solutions

Platform too small

• Solution. Use shorter fork pallet jack.
• Alternative. Break pallets into smaller units if possible.
• Consider. Whether load can be hand-stacked temporarily.

Weight limit issues

• Solution. Use lighter aluminum pallet jack.
• Alternative. Make multiple trips with lighter loads.
• Consider. Upgrade to higher-capacity lift gate.

Transition between surfaces

• Issue. Gap between lift gate and ground or truck bed.
• Solution. Ensure lift gate sits flat before rolling.
• Technique. Roll smoothly, don't stop in gap.

Uneven ground

• Issue. Customer location may not be level.
• Solution. Position truck for best ground conditions.
• Caution. Extra care on slopes—loads can shift.

Specifications comparison

Maintenance for delivery use

Delivery environment is demanding—regular maintenance is essential:

• Daily. Visual inspection, wheel check, function test.
• Weekly. Clean debris, check for damage, verify hydraulics.
• Monthly. Lubricate, detailed inspection, wheel condition.
• Address immediately. Any issue affecting safe operation.

See our pallet jack maintenance guide for details.

Purchasing considerations

• Match fork length to your lift gate depth
• Consider weight impact on lift gate capacity
• Quality construction for durability
• Replacement parts availability
• Consider aluminum for weight-critical applications
• Factor in frequency of use

Related topics

• Pallet jack types - Complete equipment overview
• Low profile pallet jack - Specialty options
• Pallet jack weight limits - Capacity guide
• Pallet jack maintenance - Service guide

References

• Tommy Gate - lift gate manufacturer
• Waltco - lift gate specifications
• OSHA - material handling safety