Tail lifts are an essential part of any modern delivery operation, helping move goods safely and efficiently between the ground and the vehicle bed. Cantilever lifts are a popular choice for medium and heavy vehicles, while column tail lifts are often preferred for lighter, multi-stop deliveries. Understanding the differences between these two types of lifts ensures your fleet operates efficiently and safely.

Making the right choice between cantilever lifts and column tail lifts can have a direct impact on delivery speed, cargo safety, and operator well-being. By knowing the strengths, limitations, and applications of each lift type, you can match your vehicle equipment to your operational needs and improve overall logistics performance. This guide explores six key differences between cantilever and column lifts, helping you make an informed decision.

Column Tail Lifts: Structure and Operation

Column tail lifts, sometimes called railgate lifts, are designed with two vertical columns mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The platform moves strictly up and down along these columns, providing a straightforward and reliable lifting solution. Their simplicity and robustness make them particularly suitable for vehicles making frequent stops or operating in urban delivery environments.

The vertical-only movement ensures fast operation and easy maintenance. With fewer moving parts, column lifts are generally lightweight, cost-effective, and require minimal upkeep. They are powered by hydraulic or electric systems, providing smooth lifting action while maintaining stability, especially on flat and level surfaces.

Key Features of Column Tail Lifts:

  • Vertical platform movement only, no tilting
  • Fast cycle times for frequent deliveries
  • Lightweight construction preserving vehicle payload
  • Simple hydraulic or electric operation
  • Limited platform depth and size due to leverage constraints

Column lifts excel at moving light to medium loads quickly, often up to 750 kilograms. Their design allows for easy retrofitting to existing vehicles, making them a practical choice for small vans and delivery trucks. While they are ideal for flat terrain, they are less suitable for uneven surfaces or very heavy goods.

Cantilever Lifts: Structure and Operation

Cantilever lifts are mounted directly to the vehicle chassis and operate using hydraulic rams. This system allows the platform to move vertically and tilt, adding versatility and the ability to bridge uneven ground or loading docks. Cantilever lifts are commonly used on medium to heavy trucks carrying bulky, palletised, or heavy loads.

The tilting platform of cantilever lifts often doubles as the rear door of the vehicle, reducing the need for additional equipment. Hydraulic control provides smooth, safe operation even with high-capacity loads. Cantilever lifts are robust, making them suitable for longer routes, irregular terrain, and heavier deliveries where stability and adaptability are essential.

Key Features of Cantilever Lifts:

  • Tilting platform that can act as a ramp
  • High load capacity up to several tonnes
  • Large platform suitable for bulky or palletised goods
  • Hydraulic operation with multiple rams for lift and tilt
  • Can serve as the vehicle rear door

Cantilever lifts reduce manual handling, improve safety, and provide the flexibility needed for complex delivery routes. Their larger platforms and heavier-duty design make them well-suited to long-distance deliveries or transport of machinery and agricultural equipment. They are heavier and require more maintenance than column lifts but provide superior versatility.

Key Differences Between Cantilever and Column Tail Lifts

1. Platform Movement

Column tail lifts move strictly vertically, which provides fast and stable operation. However, they are limited on uneven or sloped surfaces, where load stability can become a concern. Cantilever lifts, with tilting capability, can act as ramps, bridging uneven ground or docking points and enhancing load safety.

Column lifts work best on flat, level surfaces, while cantilever lifts offer adaptability for varied terrain. This makes cantilever lifts a better choice for deliveries to rural areas, construction sites, or locations without standardised loading docks.

2. Load Capacity

Column lifts typically handle light to medium loads up to around 750 kilograms. They are ideal for parcels, groceries, and smaller commercial deliveries where frequent stops are required. Heavy-duty column lifts exist but are generally limited in capacity compared to cantilever models.

Cantilever lifts can accommodate much heavier loads, sometimes up to 10 tonnes depending on the model. Their hydraulic tilting platform allows safe handling of pallets, machinery, and other large items, reducing the need for manual labour and protecting goods from damage.

3. Platform Size

Column tail lifts have a limited platform size due to mechanical leverage and load constraints. This restricts them to standard parcel-sized items or small loads. Their compact design is advantageous for multi-drop urban routes where space and speed are priorities.

Cantilever lifts typically feature larger platforms that can handle pallets and oversized goods. This is beneficial for businesses transporting machinery, large boxes, or other heavy cargo that requires stability during loading and unloading.

4. Delivery Suitability

Column lifts are suited to frequent, multi-drop deliveries, particularly in urban areas. Their fast vertical movement allows operators to complete stops quickly, enhancing route efficiency without sacrificing safety.

Cantilever lifts excel in fewer, heavier deliveries. They are ideal for medium and heavy trucks where each stop involves substantial loads, offering versatility for different ground conditions and load types.

5. Terrain Compatibility

Column lifts perform best on flat and level surfaces. Uneven ground can challenge vertical-only movement, making careful handling essential to maintain safety and balance.

Cantilever lifts can adapt to variable terrain due to their tilting function. This allows safe loading and unloading on sloped surfaces, ramps, or uneven areas where column lifts might struggle.

6. Installation and Maintenance

Column lifts are lightweight, simple to install, and easy to retrofit onto existing vehicles. Their fewer moving parts result in lower maintenance requirements, making them cost-effective and practical for fleets with many vehicles.

Cantilever lifts require a more complex installation and are heavier. Their advanced hydraulic systems and tilting mechanisms require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure long-term reliability and safety. Despite higher upkeep, their flexibility and load capacity make them valuable for heavy-duty operations.

Services and Expertise of Dhollandia SA

Dhollandia SA has over 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-quality tail lifts for commercial vehicles. They provide expertise across cantilever lifts, column lifts, truck lifts, van lifts, and passenger lifts. Their products cover capacities from 500 kilograms up to 3,000 kilograms, catering to light, medium, and heavy-duty applications.

Key Services and Features:

  • Custom installation and retrofit support
  • Four-cylinder hydraulic systems with lift and tilt rams for cantilever lifts
  • Low-maintenance bearings and accessible lubrication points
  • Hot-dip zinc or galvanised lift frames for corrosion protection
  • Steel or aluminium platforms with anti-slip surfaces and synthetic rollers
  • Comprehensive after-sales support and maintenance

Dhollandia SA ensures their lifts are safe, reliable, and suited to each customer’s specific operational requirements. Their team provides guidance on choosing the right lift, professional installation, and ongoing support to maintain optimal performance and safety.

Tail lifts from Dhollandia SA are designed for efficiency, safety, and durability. Their expertise allows operators to handle heavy or bulky loads with ease, whether in urban or rural delivery environments, helping businesses maximise productivity and minimise risks.

Maximising Efficiency with the Right Tail Lift

Understanding the differences between cantilever lifts and column tail lifts is essential for any business that relies on vehicle-based deliveries. Column lifts offer speed, simplicity, and suitability for frequent, light deliveries, while cantilever lifts provide versatility, high load capacity, and adaptability to uneven terrain. Choosing the right lift ensures safe and efficient operations tailored to your delivery requirements.

If you are looking to equip your fleet with the right tail lift solution, we encourage you to get in touch with us at Dhollandia SA. Our team can help you choose between cantilever lifts and column lifts, provide professional installation, and offer ongoing support. Let us help you improve safety, efficiency, and reliability across your delivery operations.