Fewer problems with rust and maintenance on the tail lift

Tail lifts are frequently exposed to moisture, road salt and other corrosive influences. This is a particular challenge for the twelve bearing points on the lifting gear close to the ground. If metal bearings are used here, continuous lubrication is required to prevent damage and failure. Ensuring this is not easy with different drivers per vehicle in haulage companies. There is also the hygiene factor in the case of ambulances or food transporters: Where should the grease syringe for lubrication be stored?

Another problem is edge loads that occur if, for example, the lift is loaded on one side or misused as a snow shovel in winter. This increases the risk of damage to the metal bearing and shaft.

When MBB Palfinger received the order from Great Britain to build tail lifts for ambulances (panel vans with twin wheels on the rear axle and weighing five tons), the designers were not satisfied with the previous solution offered by the competition. They decided to switch to stainless steel bolts and looked for compatible plain bearings that would minimize the risk of corrosion and maintenance.

Together with our bearing experts, MBB Palfinger found the perfect solution with the heavy-duty material iglide® Q290, which came onto the market at exactly the right time. To ensure that the bearings fitted into the existing mountings of the construction, igus® realized a new dimension from the new material exclusively for the customer.

Like all iglide® bearing materials, this one is also optimized for friction and wear, corrosion-free and does not require external lubrication. iglide® Q290 also has very good friction and wear values with stainless steel as a mating partner and was therefore a very good fit for the new bolts from MBB Palfinger. The material is suitable for forces of up to 55 MPa and is particularly resistant to shocks, impacts and edge pressure. Thanks to the flexible plastic material compared to metallic bearings, there is no risk of damage to the bearing and shaft.

In addition to the elimination of lubrication and the long service life, the simple installation is another plus point. MBB Palfinger and the end customer will be just as pleased if the costs for materials, personnel and maintenance can be reduced in this way.