Mechanical Dock Leveler – M and FMC Group 03, Section 01, Page 5
Issue Date: 10/01/01, Rev. 0 (Part #038-550E)
DETAIL OF COMPONENT FUNCTIONS
In the previous descriptions outlined in
this section we explained the general
operation of the Mechanical Dock
Leveler. In this part of the operation
section we will explain the detail of the
various key components such as the
Lifting Arm, Lip Actuator Assembly,
Hold Down box and Cable, etc.
Notice that as the arm travels rearward on
the cam, two motions occur. The cam
roller and arm move rearward. The upper
part of the arm moves forward above the
pivot point. Because the roller is moving
rearward – it is traveling up the cam –
raising the deck. Because the top of the
Lift Arm is moving forward – its motion is
transferred through the Lip Actuator Spring
to extend the lip. This “point of contact”
(spring to lip) is what decides at what
“deck raising point” the lip is extended and
also modulates or cushions the action
extending the lip. This is a critical
adjustment that rarely changes and is
made at the factory.
Did you notice that in the previous statement we were careful to say that the Lift Springs
were “being allowed” to pull the Lift Arm rearward. When the Operating Ring and chain
are in their normal position, the hold down box and cable are always creating a
resistance or braking action that does not “allow” the weight of the deck to be lifted by
the biased Lift spring, Lift Arm and Cam action. When there is no weight on the deck, it
is always capable of being lifted by the springs.
All functions work in combination with,
and as a result of the lifting arm motion
as it is rotated around its axis by the
Lift Springs. As you can see here, the
cam and by the action of the Lift
Springs “being allowed” to pull the Lift
Arm rearward, the deck is raised. It is
important to observe the rotation action
of the arm around it’s pivot point.
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