Prepared by: (1) Alvin Chin San

Lung
(2) Bong Pei Chien
Course: Diploma in Mechanical
Engineering
Code: 604MEE209
Title: Hydraulic lift gates (Tail
Lift)
Lecturer: Dr. Hii Nai Ching
Chapter 1
Introduction
 1.1 Introduction of hydraulic lift gates (Tail lift)

Figure 1: Hydraulic lift gates( tail lift)

• A lift gates or tail lift is a mechanical device permanently fitted

to the back of lorry and van.
• It is designed to facilitate the materials handling of goods from
ground level or a loading dock to the level of the load bed of
the vehicle, or vice versa.
• A lift gate is an enclosure at the rear of a vehicle that can be
mechanically raised during loading and unloading of cargo.
1.2 Types of hydraulic lift gates

Figure 2: Column lift

• They run on 'tracks' fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
• The advantage of column lift is able to lift to a higher
level than the load bed.

Figure 3: Cantilever lift

• The cantilever lift works by a set of rams attached to
the chassis of the vehicle.
• By using the rams in sequence, the working platform
can either be tilted, or raised and lowered.

Figure 4: Tuck away lift

• On tuck away lifts, the ramp can be folded away
under the load bed of the vehicle
 1.3 Maintenance in lift gates
The purpose of preventative maintenance routine is to reduce the
chance of failure and, in doing so, increase reliability. Hence, we
must perform the maintenance in below to extend the life of lift
gates.
(A) Daily inspection

• 1st step: Run the lift gates through its entire cycle daily.
• 2nd step: inspect lift gates for missing or loosened
fasteners, broken etc.
• 3rd step: Check that all warning decals are in place and
legible.
(B) Essential maintenance inspection

Figure 6: Essential Inspection Chart

• Once the lift gates have been in operation for 30 days, it should
have a visit to the authorized service canter.
• It is to help the lift gates maintain a level ride and keep the platform
traveling freely during any operation.
• A chart may be used as a guide to schedule the lift gates for its
routine maintenance inspections.
 1.3 Safety instruction in operating lift gates

Improper operation of this lift gate can result in serious personal injury. So
we must follow the following instruction while operating the lift gates.

1. Do not ride on the lift gates.

2. Ensure all decals are legible and in their correct locations.
3. Do not operate it unless you have been properly instructed .
4. Do not overload.
5. Each load should be placed in a stable position.
6. Do not attempt your own repairs, unless are specifically trained.
7. Keep people clear of lift gates while operating.
 Chapter 2

Literature Review
 2.1 Basic segments of hydraulic system

A hydraulic system can be divided into three main segments:

1. Supply segment
• The power supply segment supplies fluid flow to the system. Pump
is the one of the component in the power supply segment.
2. Control segment
• The control segment includes directional control valves, pressure
control valves, and flow control valves.
3. Output segment
• The output segment of the system includes the actuator and the load.
 2.2 Components of Supply Segment

Pumps

Figure 7: Symbol of the hydraulic pump

• The purpose of a hydraulic pump is to supply a flow of fluid to a hydraulic
system.
• There are several types of pump which are gear pumps, vane pumps, and
piston pumps.

2.2.1 Gear Pump

• A gear pump develops flow by carrying fluid between the teeth of two meshed gears.
• One gear is driven by the driveshaft and turns the other, which is free.
• The pumping chambers formed between the gear teeth are enclosed by the pump housing
and the side plates.
• There are two types of gear pump, (a) external gear pump, (b) internal gear pump and
(c) lobe pump.
(a) External Gear Pump

Figure 8: Operation of external gear pump

(1) A partial vacuum is formed at the pump inlet as the teeth come out of the
mesh.
(2) This draws the fluid into the chamber, and fluid is trapped between the
gear and the housing wall.
(3) As the teeth mesh again at the outlet, the fluid is forced out.
 (b) Internal Gear Pump

Figure 9: Internal gear pump

(1) Fluid enters the pump between the outer and inner gear.
(2) The arrow inside the figure below indicates the direction of the pump and liquid. When
the inner and outer gear teeth begin to separate, fluid is drawn into the pump.
(3) Fluid will then travels between the teeth of the “gear-within-a-gear” principle.
(4) The crescent-shape acts as a seal between the suction and discharge port and divides the
liquid.
(5) When the inner gear and outer gear teeth mesh completely, the seal forces the liquid out
of the pump outlet.
(c) Lobe Pump

Figure 10: Operation of lobe pump

(1) When the lobes come out from the mesh, an expanding volume is
created on the inlet of the pump.
(2) Fluid will then flow in and trapped by the lobes as they rotate.
(3) At the outlet, fluid is forced out under the pressure formed between
the lobes.
2.2.2 Vane pump

• In a vane pump, a rotor is coupled to the drive shaft and turns inside a cam ring.
• Vanes are fitted to the rotor slots and follow the inner surface of the ring as the
rotor turns.
• The vanes are pressed against the ring due to centrifugal force and the pressure
under the vane or by the spring.
• There are two types of vane pump, (a) unbalanced vane pump and (b) balanced
vane pump.
(a) Unbalanced Vane Pump

Figure 11: Unbalanced vane pump

(1) As the rotor rotates and the fluid is drawn into the pump.
(2) The fluid will enter the space between the vanes due to the increase of
volume when the vane reaches the inlet.
(3) As the rotor rotates around, the vane sweeps the fluid out to the outlet.
(b) Balanced Vane Pump

Figure 12: Balanced vane pump

• The balanced vane pump has an elliptical cam ring, two inlets and two outlets and
provided a balanced construction.
• Equal and opposite forces are formed according to the construction of the pump and
thus zero net force within the pump.
(c) Variable displacement pump

Figure 13: Variable displacement pump

• The control moves the cam ring to change the eccentricity between the ring
and rotor.
• When the pressure is high enough to overcome the compensator spring
force, the cam ring is shifts to decrease the eccentricity.
• Adjustment of the compensator spring determines the pressure at which the
ring shifts.
2.2.3 Piston Pumps

• In a piston pump, the piston reciprocates in a bore draws in fluid and

retract to expel the fluid out.
• There are two basic types of pistons, (a) radial piston pump and (b)
axial piston pump.

(a) Axial Piston Pump

Figure 14: Axial piston pump

• The pistons in an axial pump reciprocate parallel to the center line of the
driveshaft of the piston block.
• .The displacement is determine by the size and number of pistons as well as
their stroke length, which varies with the swashplate angle.
(b.i) Radial Piston Pump (Stationary block and Rotating cam)

Figure 15: Radial piston pump with stationary block and rotating cam

(1) The water enters the inner housing from the inlet.
(2) As the cam rotates, partial vacuum is formed in the cylinder causing the fluid to
be drawn into the piston.
(3) The rotating cam will then compress the piston, forcing the water to flow into the
outer casing.
(b.ii) Radial Piston Pump (Stationary cam and Rotating block)

Figure 15: Radial piston pump with stationary block and rotating cam

(1) As the fluid flow in at the inlet, the partial vacuum created in the piston
will suck in the fluid.
(2) As the block rotates, the piston will be compressed by the non-movable
cam and the liquid is forced out to the outlet.
2.3 Components of Control Segment

2.3.1 Pressure Control Valves

• They are used to keep the pressure of the system in a safe condition and also
maintain a set pressure in a part system.
• There are several types of valves, such as :
(a) pressure relief valve
(b) pressure reducing valve,
(c)sequence valve
(d) counterbalance valve,
(e) unloading valve.
(a) Pressure Relief Valve

Figure 16: Pressure relief valve

• Used to ensure the hydraulic system is operated under a preset pressure so

that the fluid components won’t be damaged.
• It consists of plunger, spring and also a spring adjustment screw.
• Pressure relief valve is connected to the main line after the pump.
(b) Pressure Reducing Valve

Figure 17: Pressure reducing valve

• Used to limit the maximum pressure available in the secondary circuit regardless
of pressure changes in the main circuit.
• This assumes the work load generates no back flow into the reducing valve port in
which case the valve will close.
(c) Counterbalance Valve

Figure 17: Setting of counterbalance valve

• Without a counterbalance valve, the load will drift down due to spool leakage.
• A counterbalance valve will prevent this situation.
• In this circuit, moving the directional control valve to the left causes the
cylinder to extend, raising the load with free flow going through the check
valve portion of the counterbalance valve.
2.3.2 Directional Control Valves

Figure 18: Examples of the directional control valves

• Aim to control the direction of fluid flow, results in changing the motion of
the actuators.
• Also used to stop and start the flow of the fluid.
2.3.3 Flow Control Valves

Figure 19: Fixed Flow Control Valve Figure 20: Adjustable Flow Control Valve

• Is a device used to control the flow of fluid in a particular direction in order to

control the rate of flow.
• The valve contains a flow passage or a port whose flow area can be varied.
• One of the most important applications of flow control valves in hydraulic
systems is in controlling the flow rate to the cylinders and motors to regulate
their speeds.
2.4 Components of Output Segment

2.4.1 Actuators

• Linear actuators are used to move objects or loads in a straight line.

• Cylinders are one of the basic components of the actuators.
• There are two types of cylinders:
(a) single acting cylinder
(b) double acting cylinder.
(a) Single Acting Cylinder

Figure 21: Symbol of the single acting cylinder

• Single acting cylinder is powered by fluid for the motion of the piston when
expanding and retract by an internal spring or external force.
• When the fluid enters the cylinder, the spring is compressed.
• When there is no fluid supplied into the cylinder, the spring will
automatically return the cylinder back to its original position.
(b) Double Acting Cylinder

Figure 22: Double acting cylinder

• Double acting cylinder is powered by fluid for both expanding and

retracting of the piston.
• When the fluid enters the cylinder, the spring is compressed.
• When there is no fluid supplied into the cylinder, the spring will
automatically return the cylinder back to its original position.