In business logistics, you always need to move goods through trucks at some point. Transportation of your goods by trucks means someone has to load and unload those from trucks. This seems like an obvious part of the journey, but do you know how goods moved on and off the trucks?
If no docks are available at the pickup point or destination, a small piece of equipment is used to move cargo up the truck’s height which is called a liftgate. The liftgate is also used to move the cargo from the truck to the ground.
Read our article below to learn what is a liftgate truck service, what are the benefits of a liftgate delivery and when to use a liftgate service.
What Is a Liftgate?
A liftgate is a movable platform that is attached to the rear of trucks or freight trailers. These are designed to bridge the gap between the cargo area and ground level. A liftgate is important for loading and unloading heavy materials and goods in large quantities especially when there is no loading dock available.
A liftgate can be used at pickup locations and also at destinations. It simplifies the delivery process and ensures safe and sound transportation of your goods without needing any additional equipment such as forklifts.
What Is Liftgate Delivery & How Does It Work?
A liftgate delivery involves the handling and transportation of goods which require a liftgate for loading and unloading goods from the truck. Liftgate delivery services are needed when the destinations require the facility to move cargo from the shipping bay to the ground level or vice versa.
The liftgate service can be used for both loading and unloading cargo. Here‘s how:
During Cargo Loading
A liftgate is lowered to the ground level and the freight is moved on it so the items are safely placed. After loading of cargo, the liftgate is retracted and folded parallel to the back of the truck.
During Cargo Unloading
When the truck reaches the destination and the cargo needs to be unloaded, the liftgate extends outwards. Freight is moved to it, it is then lowered to the ground and the goods are unloaded.
When you are using a liftgate service for your goods, it may cost you an extra fee. Nevertheless, this investment may be justified as this reduces labor costs and also mitigates the risk of goods damage during loading and unloading.
When to Use a Liftgate Service
If you are transporting your freight and no loading dock is available, you will need the liftgate service to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of goods from truck to destination. Here are some situations when you will need a liftgate service.
No Loading Dock Facility Available
Some facilities don’t have a loading dock, in that case using a liftgate service is important. For heavier goods, it simplifies the process of moving cargo from ground level to the truck and vice versa. The liftgate delivery mitigates the risks of any damage to cargo or injury to workers.
Transportation to Commercial or Construction Sites
If you are delivering goods to a construction or commercial site, you will require a liftgate service to ensure that the material is delivered safely and directly to the desired location on-site. Hence the ongoing projects can be facilitated without requiring any further loading or unloading of goods.
Larger Residential or Office Deliveries
When heavy items or a larger volume of items need to be delivered to homes or offices, liftgate delivery becomes a necessity as homes and offices don’t have a loading dock facility. It enables the safe delivery of goods while avoiding the extra fee for manual labor or any rental equipment.
Before planning your deliveries, check in advance if you really require a liftgate service. This way you can arrange one beforehand and avoid the additional charges of needing to get one on short notice. Work with Foresmart, we will arrange everything in the door-to-door delivery and let you know all the price details for your international shipping.
Liftgate Delivery Benefits
There are many benefits of liftgate service, which improves operational efficiency and safety. Here are some of the key advantages of using a liftgate delivery service:
Less Damage to Shipping Goods
The liftgate service significantly reduces the chances of accidents as it provides a safe platform for loading and unloading cargo. This safety part provides a safer delivery environment by securing both the staff and the cargo.
Increased Safety for Labour
The use of a liftgate reduces the possibility of accidents among delivery service staff. This makes the shipping process more appealing to workers.
Fewer Employees Needed
Liftgate delivery service provides operational efficiency and there is a lesser need for staff required to load and unload cargo. For businesses, this reduces labor costs and streamlines operations.
Efficiency in the Shipping Process
A liftgate is capable of quick loading and unloading, which means less downtime and more delivery processes can be completed within a short period. This increases the overall shipping efficiency and results in enhanced customer trust and reliability.
Flexibility in Delivery Sites
By using a liftgate, you can transfer goods to various locations whether a loading dock is available or not. This versatility ensures reliable services across a vast range of locations including residential to commercial sites.
No Need for a Forklift
Employing a liftgate for delivering your cargo may eliminate the need for a forklift at the pickup or destination site. This liftgate service is beneficial as it makes sure that no delivery site is off-limit and that freight can be delivered almost everywhere.
Does Liftgate Service Have Any Fee?
Yes! A Liftgate truck fee applies when you use a liftgate service. The cost of the liftgate, pallet jacks, or forklifts for loading and unloading goods is included in this fee. The liftgate service fee is officially considered an extra freight charge. Liftgate delivery is a wise investment to save your cargo from any damage or avoid any accidents. However, it’s also important to plan ahead and determine whether you’ll need a liftgate, to avoid any delays or additional costs.
Liftgate Delivery vs Standard Truck Delivery
Check in advance whether your pickup location or destination has a loading dock facility. This way, you can decide whether to choose a liftgate delivery or a standard truck delivery.
Liftgate truck services are an economical means for LTL(less-than-truckload) shippers. If the facility center has a loading dock, you can save the cost of a liftgate service, and standard truck delivery is always a cheaper option. While lacking a loading dock will require a liftgate service to ensure safe loading and unloading of goods. Choosing the right option depends upon the delivery location and the facilities available there. Always confirm your needs to avoid any hassle on the spot.
Conclusion
Above all, we have explained the process of liftgate delivery and its importance for the safe and smooth delivery of goods. By understanding this, you can now better utilize the liftgate service for your shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a liftgate used for?
A liftgate is a piece attached to the rear of a truck that enables freight to be lifted from ground level to the height of the truck or vice versa. It is important for the safe and secure loading and unloading of freight from trucks.
Why would I need liftgate service?
If you rely on someone to load and unload your goods manually from trucks, this will increase the risk of goods damage and may also lead to manual injury or accident. To mitigate these risks, it’s best to use a liftgate shipping service for the safe transfer of your goods.
What is the difference between a tailgate and a liftgate?
There is an overlap between both terms. In many cases, the tailgate is simply a barrier that you manually open and close. A liftgate, on the other hand, is a mechanical platform installed on the back of a truck or vehicle that raises and lowers cargo to and from the ground.
