Tail lift load capacity

The load capacity: What load does the platfrom lift?

The ‘load capacity’ - also known as lifting capacity, lifting force or nominal load - refers to the maximum weight that a tail lift can safely lift and lower. It is usually specified in kilograms (kg). The maximum permissible load on the platform is the result of extensive tests and certifications carried out at BÄR.

Every Bär Cargolift is designed for a specific maximum load capacity. Simple models start at 500 kg, while high-performance models can lift up to 3,000 kg. The lifting capacity is related to the carrier vehicle: Smaller vans, transporters and medium-weight lorries often have lower lifting capacities of 500 kg to a maximum of 1,500 kg, as the lifting capacity may also be limited by the vehicle manufacturer. In contrast, the Cargolifts for heavy trucks have higher capacities of 2,000 kg to 3,000 kg.

When selecting a tail lift, the load capacity - this means how much weight the platform can lift - is often the key criteria. However, the load capacity alone does not provide any information about the actual performance of the tail lift. This is because as soon as the platform height increases, the question arises as to where the load is placed.

The load distance: Where do I place the pallet on the platform?

When using a lift, it is important where exactly the load or cargo - in the sense of the transported goods - is positioned on the platform. The further away the load is from the vehicle - meaning the greater the ‘load distance’ or load centre of gravity - the less weight the tail lift can lift. This is indicated both on the type plate on the Cargolift and in the load diagram. The load distance is usually specified in millimetres (mm).

BÄR also indicates the load distance of the respective Cargolift on the platform: there you will either find a red dot indicating the load distance or the edge profile of the platform helps with orientation.

The load moment: How powerful is the tail lift?

The combination of load capacity and load distance is called ‘load moment’ or ‘load torque’. It is specified in kilonewton metres (kNm). This figure best shows how powerful a tail lift really is. The following applies: 

Load moment = load capacity x load distance

Each Bär Cargolift is designed and tested with a defined load moment in accordance with the requirements of the standard DIN EN 1756-1 (Tail lifts - Platform lifts for mounting on wheeled vehicles - Safety requirements - Part 1: Tail lifts for goods). The specific value is documented in the technical data sheet of the corresponding Bär Cargolift as well as in the brochures. 

Why is this important? You can find out in the safety instructions below. 

Load diagrams of the Bär Cargolifts

In the load diagram, you can see exactly what weight is permitted at which point. To prevent overloading - this means exceeding the permissible load capacity - some Bär Cargolifts are limited in the range of available platform heights. 

Below you will find load diagrams of the Bär Cargolift product groups divided into load capacity levels: 

• Load capacity 500 kg / 600 kg – VanLift Standard / FreeAccess
• Load capacity 750 kg – Standard / FreeAccess
• Load capacity 1000 kg / 1500 kg – Standard
• Load capacity 2000 kg / 2500 kg / 3000 kg – Standard
• Load capacity 1500 kg / 2000 kg / 2500 kg / 3000 kg – RetFalt – can be driven under with single-folded platform - mounting on truck
• Load capacity 2000 kg / 2500 kg / 3000 kg – RetFalt – can be driven under with single-folded platform - mounting on semi-trailers
• Load capacity 1500 kg / 2000 kg / 2500 kg / 3000 kg – Ret/HydFalt –  can be slided under with double-folded platform
• Load capacity 1000 kg / 1500 kg / 2000 kg – Falt – tuck-away lift

The load diagram shows VanLifts for panel vans / transporters with a load capacity of 500 kg or 600 kg - depending on the permissible load capacity of the vehicle:

• BC 500 A2V with a load capacity of 500 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 3 kNm
• BC 500 S2V with a load capacity of 500 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 3 kNm
• BC 600 A2V with a load capacity of 600 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 3.6 kNm
• BC 600 S2V with a load capacity of 600 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 3.6 kNm

What does the product name mean? In a nutshell:

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, A stands for FreeAccess (the upright, vertically folded platform) or S for Standard (upright platform), 2 indicates two cylinders, V for Van. For more information, please refer to the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

The load diagram shows Standard / FreeAccess Cargolifts for van chassis with a load capacity of 750 kg:

• BC 750 A2L with a load capacity of 750 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load moment of 4.5 kNm
• BC 750 S2L with a load capacity of 750 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 4.5 kNm
• BC 750 S4 with a load capacity of 750 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 4.5 kNm
• BC 750 S2S with a load capacity of 750 kg at a load distance of 750 mm and a load torque of 5.6 kNm

What does the product name say? In a nutshell:

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, A stands for FreeAccess (the upright, vertically folded platform) or S for Standard (Cantilever lift), 2 indicates two cylinders, the letter after that signals a special technical feature. For more information, please refer to the Bär Cargolift type code.

The load diagram shows Standard Cargolifts with a load capacity of 1,000 kg and 1,500 kg:

• BC 1000 S2 with a load capacity of 1,000 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load moment of 6 kNm
• BC 1000 S4 with a load capacity of 1,000 kg at a load distance of 900 mm and a load torque of 9 kNm
• BC 150 S with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 9 kNm
• BC 1500 S4L with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 9 kNm
• BC 1500 S4 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 15 kNm

What do these abbreviations mean? In short:

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, S means Standard (Cantilever platform), 2 indicates two cylinders, 4 stands for four cylinders, the letter after that indicates a special technical feature. You can find more information in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

The load diagram shows Standard Cargolifts with load capacities of 2,000 kg, 2,500 kg and 3,000 kg:

• BC 2000 S4 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2000 S4A with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2000 S4U with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2000 S4V with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm 
• BC 2500 S4 with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 2500 S4A with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 2500 S4T with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 2500 S4U with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm 
• BC 2500 S4V with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm 
• BC 3000 S4 with a load capacity of 3,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 30 kNm

Wondering what these abbreviations mean? In a nutshell:

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, S means Standard (upright platform at the rear of the verhicle), 4 indicates four cylinders and the letter after that signals a special technical feature. You can find more information in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

The load diagram shows RetFalt Cargolifts - retractable with single-folded platform - for mounting on trucks:

• BC 1500 R21 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 750 mm and a load torque of 11.25 kNm
• BC 1500 R4U with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 15 kNm
• BC 2000 R4U with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 800 mm and a load torque of 16 kNm
• BC 2000 R41 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2500 R41 with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 3000 R41 with a load capacity of 3,000 kg at a load distance of 800 mm and a load torque of 24 kNm

Wondering what this abbreviation means? In a nutshell:

 BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, R means RetFalt (can be slided under with platform one time folded by hand), 4 signals four cylinders, the letter after that indicates a special technical feature. Further information can be found in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code. 

The load diagram shows RetFalt Cargolifts - sliders with a single-fold platform - for mounting on semi-trailers:

• BC 2000 R2T with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 800 mm and a load torque of 16 kNm
• BC 2000 R4T with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2500 R4T with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 2000 R4C with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2500 R4C with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm
• BC 2000 R4K with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 2500 R4K with a load capacity of 2,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 25 kNm

Wondering what the product name says? In a nutshell:

 BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, R means RetFalt (can be slided under with platform one time folded by hand), 4 signals four cylinders, the letter after that indicates a special technical feature. Further information can be found in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

The load diagram shows Ret/HydFalt Cargolifts with double-folded platform that can be driven under::

• BC 1500 R42 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 15 kNm
• BC 2000 R42 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm
• BC 1500 H42 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 15 kNm
• BC 2000 H42 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 1,000 mm and a load torque of 20 kNm

What does the product name say? In a nutshell: 

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, R means RetFalt (can be driven under with manually folded platform), while H stands for HydFalt (can be slided under with hydraulically folded platform), 4 signals four cylinders, the following 2 signals the double platform folding. Further information can be found in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

Falt Cargolifts are shown in the load diagram:

• BC 1000 F2 with a load capacity of 1,000 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 6 kNm
• BC 1000 F4 with a load capacity of 1,000 kg at a load distance of 600 mm and a load torque of 6 kNm
• BC 1500 F2 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 700 mm and a load torque of 10.5 kNm
• BC 1500 F4 with a load capacity of 1,500 kg at a load distance of 700 mm and a load torque of 10.5 kNm
• BC 2000 F2 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 700 mm and a load torque of 14 kNm
• BC 2000 F4 with a load capacity of 2,000 kg at a load distance of 700 mm and a load torque of 14 kNm

What does the product name mean? In a nutshell:

BC stands for ‘Bär Cargolift’, followed by the load capacity, F means Falt (tuck-away, can be folded under), 4 indicates four cylinders. You can find more information in the article on the Bär Cargolift type code.

Safety instructions

Compliance with the specified load capacity and load torque is crucial for the safe operation of the tail lift. Overloading can lead to damage to the hydraulics, deformation of the platform, increased wear-out and, in the worst case, to accidents resulting in personal injury. Exceeding the permissible load capacity can lead to so-called violent damage. Damage caused by force is excluded from the warranty and from maintenance and repair contracts.

In addition, regular maintenance and inspections (in Germany the annual UVV inspection) are crucial for the long-term performance of the Cargolift. A neglected tail lift can have a significant impact on performance.

Here are a few practical tips for using the tail lift:

• Always observe the load capacity and load distance labelling on your Bär Cargolift
• Place heavy loads as close as possible to the vehicle
• Document regular maintenance and inspections in the inspection logbook​
• Train your personnel in the correct handling of the lift
  » A separate, general lexicon article follows. 
  » Detailed operating instructions for your Bär Cargolift can be found online in HowToCargoLift.

Conclusion

When selecting a tail lift, you should not only pay attention to the load capacity, but also consider the height of the platform and the load distance. This is because these factors influence the actual performance of the tail lift. The load moment, which results from the load capacity and load distance, is the decisive factor for assessing performance. At BÄR, all important values are also noted on the type plate on the Cargolift. In addition, the actual load distance of the lift is marked on the platform.

However, it is not only the load capacity and load moment that are relevant to the purchase - the Bär Cargolift must also fit the vehicle. Find out more in the next article.