SAFE-TECH Palift MK3 User manual

User’s Manual
Palift MK3 Manual
How to install, Use and Maintain
Version no: A
December 2016

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Contents
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Copyright © 2016 ................................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Owner’s Responsibility ......................................................................................................... 5
2.0 Safety .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.0 Installing the Palift ............................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Lifting and Handling.............................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Transit Damage .................................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Installing the Springs ............................................................................................................ 6
3.4 Installing the Palift Mobility Kit ............................................................................................ 10
3.5 Location of the Palift ........................................................................................................... 12
4.0 Operational Restrictions .................................................................................................. 13
4.1 Availability of a Forklift ........................................................................................................ 13
4.2 Variation in Density of the Load .......................................................................................... 13
4.3 Layering of the Load........................................................................................................... 13
4.4 Rotating the Turntable ........................................................................................................ 13
4.5 Relocation of the Palift ....................................................................................................... 14
4.6 Load Capacity .................................................................................................................... 14
5.0 Operating the Palift .......................................................................................................... 14
5.1 Basic Operation .................................................................................................................. 14
5.2 Spring Selection ................................................................................................................. 14
5.3 Spring Selection Chart ....................................................................................................... 15
5.4 Changing the Springs ......................................................................................................... 16
6.0 Other Features .................................................................................................................. 16
7.0 Maintenance ..................................................................................................................... 17
8.0 Warranty ........................................................................................................................... 17
9.0 Safetech Divisions ........................................................................................................... 18
10.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Control for Palift......................................... 19
10.1 Crushing and Shearing Injuries as a Consequence of Pinch Points ................................... 19
10.2 Crushing and Shearing Injuries as a Consequence of Pinch Points (Turntable) ................. 19
10.3 Crush Injuries due to Uncontrolled Descent ....................................................................... 19
10.4 Crushing by Falling Palift or Load ....................................................................................... 20
10.5 Blow from Moving Palift ...................................................................................................... 20
10.6 Descent Due to Spring Breaking ........................................................................................ 20
10.7 Descent Due to Spring Buckling ......................................................................................... 21
10.8 Collision (Mobility Kit only) .................................................................................................. 21
11.0 Trouble Shooting ............................................................................................................. 22
12.0 Identification and Spare Parts ......................................................................................... 23
12.1 Static-Base Square-top Palift (PST3) ................................................................................. 23
12.2 Static Base Turntable-Top Palift (PTG3) ............................................................................ 25
12.3 Palift Mobile Dolly kit (PMBD) ............................................................................................. 28

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1.0 Introduction
Palift is an Australian invention that makes manual loading and unloading of pallets safer, faster and
easier. Palift keeps the active layer of the load at or above waist height, eliminating bending and
lifting. It is highly effective at reducing the risk of back strain and back injury, the most common of
all workplace injuries (1994, Worksafe Australia
1
). Palift is now used worldwide.
Palift is a spring and scissor mechanism, simple, easy to use and requiring no maintenance.
Different springs are used depending on the height and weight of the load. The Palift incorporates a
shock absorber, which prevents any bouncing as the pallet is loaded.
Palift has a built-in turntable for operators to rotate the load. This eliminates stretching or walking
around the load.
Palift can be relocated using a mobility kit, forklift or pallet truck.
Read this manual before installing or using the Palift.
For assistance contact your Palift agent.
Post: Safetech Pty Ltd
PO Box 360
MOE VIC 3825
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
1.1 Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, currency and completeness of the information
contained in this manual, Safetech does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the
information is correct, accurate or current.
Safetech is not liable for any loss, claim, cost or expense of any kind arising in any way whatsoever
from the information contained in this manual.
1.2 Copyright © 2016
Safetech of 39-45 Della Torre Road, Moe Victoria, 3825, all rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced or utilised in any means, by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recordings or any information storage or retrieval system,
without the express permission from Safetech.
1
Worksafe Australia (1994), The Compendium for Worker's Compensation Statistics 1991/92: Australian Government Publishing
Services.

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1.3 Owner’s Responsibility
To ensure both your safety and the safety of others, and the continued effective operation of your
Safetech Palift, your responsibilities are as follows:
 Before operating the Palift, please read and ensure you understand both the safety
instructions and the operating instructions.
 If you do not fully understand these instructions, contact either Safetech or an authorised
Safetech agent for clarification before operating your Palift.
 The Owner must review the Risk Assessment in this manual.
 Please Note: That in the Risk Assessment a number of items have been flagged as
Completed? = No. The Owner must include these hazards in their own operational risk
assessment and ensure that action is taken to address the hazard.
 The owner is responsible to ensure all operators have been adequately trained on the
safe operation of the Palift.
 The owner is responsible to ensure that a risk assessment on the Palift in their operating
environment is done.
2.0 Safety
This manual identifies hazards which may occur in the use of the Palift. It provides instructions or
precautions which should be taken to avoid or minimise these hazards. Safetech uses the following
system of identifying the severity of the hazards associated with its products:
"Danger” Immediate hazard which will result in severe personal injury or death.
"Warning" Hazardous or unsafe practice which could result in severe personal injury or death.
"Caution” Hazardous or unsafe practice which could result in minor personal injury or property
damage.
3.0 Installing the Palift
3.1 Lifting and Handling
Remove the Palift from the shipping pallet:
Cut strapping and remove all packaging.
The Palift has fork tyne sockets in the base frame for relocation by forklift. Alternatively the Palift can
be transported from the underside of the top frame

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Caution: When lifting the Palift from the underside of the top frame, the Palift will extend as it is
raised. Ensure that the Palift is fully extended and clear of the shipping pallet before
driving the forklift.
Figure 1
3.2 Transit Damage
Check Palift for transit damage.
Ensure that circlips and fasteners have not dislodged
3.3 Installing the Springs
Spring installation is best performed by two people.
Refer to Figures 2 to 7:
If the Palift incorporates a turntable, lift off the rotating ring and remove the plastic cover sheet.
(Figure 2)

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Figure 2
Open one hinged spring cap by squeezing the red spring loaded locking tabs together to unlock the
spring cap.
Raise the handle and open the spring cap. (Figure 3)
Spring Cap locks engaged
Spring cap locks disengaged

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Figure 3
Place one of the coil springs in the lower spring cap. (Figure 4)
Figure 4
Lift the top frame to full height and close the hinged spring cap over the spring. The locating pin in
the cap must be inside the top coil of the spring. Squeeze the locking tabs together, push the handle
fully down and release the locking tabs. (Figure 4)
NB: locking tabs must be fully engaged before releasing pressure from handle.

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Figure 5
The unit is now supported by the first spring (figure 5)
Repeat the process to insert the second spring (figure 6)
Figure 6
Warning: Both springs must be correctly located in the spring caps.
Replace the round plastic sheet (turntable models) evenly over the top frame and lower the angle
ring onto the centre pivot bearing. Ensure the angle ring rotates freely. (Figure 7)

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Figure 7
3.4 Installing the Palift Mobility Kit
Figure 8
A mobility kit enables manual relocation of a Palift.
The height of the Palift (compressed or elevated) increases by 25mm when installed.
Load capacity is unchanged.