ZLS Series: Owner's Manual
ZLS Series: Owner's Manual
ZLS Series
Floor Height Lift Tables
Model #_______________________________________
Serial # _______________________________________
Contents
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................4
RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNERS AND USERS...............................................................5
SAFE SERVICING OF THE LIFT.....................................................................................6
SAFETY ...........................................................................................................................7
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ...................................................................................7
Preparation .........................................................................................................7
Positioning the Lift ..............................................................................................8
Hydraulic Connections.........................................................................................8
Hydraulic Oil Specifications.................................................................................8
Electrical Connections.........................................................................................9
Testing ................................................................................................................9
OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS .......................................................................................10
Safety Label Compliance...................................................................................10
Labels and Precautionary Markings.................................................................. 11
Operating Procedures and Precautions............................................................12
MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................14
Hazards ............................................................................................................14
Routine Periodic Maintenance ..........................................................................14
Repacking the Cylinders .................................................................................. 15
Replacing the Rollers ...................................................................................... 15
Troubleshooting Check List ..............................................................................16
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS ..........................................................................20
WARRANTY STATEMENT ............................................................................. Back Cover
List of Figures
INTRODUCTION
Southworth’s “ZLS” Series includes Southworth’s floor height lift units. The lift table on
each unit may be lowered to floor height. This allows the operator to move loads on and
off with only a hand pallet truck. The “ZLS” series includes three models: Model ZLS2
has a lift capacity of 2000 lb. (900 kg.) and a vertical travel of 35” (88.9 cm). The ZLS24
can lift 4000 lb. (1800 kg.) with a travel of 35” (88.9 cm). Model ZLS6 can lift 6000 lb.
(2700 kg.) with a travel of 34” (86.3 cm.).
This manual contains information to help you to learn about the safe and proper
installation, use, and upkeep of a “ZLS” Series lift table. Please be sure that this manual
is available to anyone who works with the lift table. Be sure that everyone who uses the
lift has read the manual.
In the interest of safety, please read all of this manual carefully, and be familiar
with its contents before you install, use, or service the “ZLS” Series. If you have
any questions about any of the instructions in this manual, please contact your
dealer or Southworth Products Corporation.
Southworth’s product warranty is shown on the back cover of this manual. This instruction
manual is not intended to be or to create any other warranty, express or implied,
including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose, all of which are hereby expressly excluded.
As set forth more specifically in the product warranty, Southworth’s obligation under that
warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of defective components, which shall
be the buyer’s sole remedy, and Southworth shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or
damage to persons or property, nor for any direct, indirect, or consequential damage of
any kind resulting from the “ZLS” Series table.
Deflection
It is the responsibility of the user/purchaser to advise the manufacturer where deflection
may be critical to the application.
Repairs
All repairs shall be made by qualified personnel in conformance with Southworth’s instruc-
tions.
Operators
Only trained personnel and authorized personnel shall be permitted to operate the lift.
Before Operation
Before using the device, the operator shall have:
• Read and/or had explained, and understood, the manufacturer’s operating instruc-
tions and safety rules.
• Inspected the device for proper operation and condition. Any suspect item shall be
carefully examined and a determination made by a qualified person as to whether
it constitutes a hazard. All items not in conformance with Southworth’s specification
shall be corrected before further use of the equipment.
During Operation
The device shall only be used in accordance with this owner’s manual.
• Do not overload.
• Ensure that all safety devices are operational and in place.
Modifications or Alterations
Modifications or alterations to any Southworth industrial positioning equipment shall be
made only with written permission from Southworth.
WARNING!
Both the maintenance devices must hold the lift table in the full-up position! A partly-
raised lift may apply too much leverage against the base frame. This can cause the
machine to fail, and this can cause severe personal injury to a worker.
• Lower the table a bit so the movable legs are resting against the maintenance devices. This
will release the pressure in the hydraulic system and hold the maintenance devices in place.
If you do not do this, pressure may remain in the hydraulic system. If this pressure is released
suddenly, you may be hurt, or the lift may be damaged.
• While you are working on the lift, do not let anyone else use the controls.
• Finish working under the table top, then reverse the process to get the lift ready for operatio
• Go through all of these steps every time you must work under the table top. Do this even if you
will only be under the table top for a moment!
SAFETY INSTALLATION
Southworth is concerned about the safety of everyone INSTRUCTIONS
who operates, maintains, repairs, or works near the
“ZLS” Series unit. The lift table is a powerful machine Preparation
with moving parts, and is capable of causing personal 1. Before you start to install the lift, check for local
injury if proper precautions are not taken. codes and ordinances which may apply. It is your
Therefore, throughout this manual, Southworth has responsibility to obtain any necessary permits.
identified certain hazards which may occur in the use 2. Read all of these installation instructions
of the lift table, and provided appropriate instructions carefully. Be sure to read and understand all of the
or precautions that should be taken to avoid these warnings!
hazards. In some cases, Southworth has also pointed
3. The lift should be placed indoors, or protected from
out the consequences that may occur if Southworth’s
the weather.
instructions or precautions are not followed. Southworth
uses the following system of identifying the severity of WARNING!
the hazards associated with its products: Protect the lift from rain or moisture. If the
electrical parts in the power unit get wet,
“DANGER” - Immediate hazard which will result in
workers may be hurt by electrical shock. The
severe personal injury or death.
electrical parts may fail if they are wet.
“WARNING” - Hazard or unsafe practice which could
WARNING!
result in severe personal injury or death.
The electric motor can create sparks. Do not
“CAUTION” - Hazard or unsafe practice which could install the lift in an area where flammable
result in minor personal injury or property damage. gases may be present.
Please read and follow this instruction manual,
4. You will need these tools to install the lift:
including all safety instructions and precautions,
carefully and completely. • A crane or lift truck that can life the unit safely.
• Shims and lag bolts.
• A masonry drill and bit to drill the holes
for the lag bolts.
• Wrenches to fit the lag bolts and the nuts
on the lifting eyes.
5. As you work on the lift, you will need two safety
blocks to hold up the table top. Make up two blocks
using using pieces of 2’’ x 4’’ lumber which are 18’’
long.
3. Install the lift as shown in Fig. 2. Bolt the lift to the CAUTION!
floor using four lag bolts. These should run through If you do not install the vented plug in the tank,
the pump may be damaged.
the lag plates at each end of the base frames.
Insert and tighten the lag bolts to secure the lift.
Grout under the base rails to prevent vibration and
distortion of the base frame.
CAUTION!
Table 1 – Hydraulic Oil Specifications
Do not try to move the lift by supporting the
If the lift will be used at normal ambient temperatures,
table top. One end of the table top is free.
Southworth supplies the unit with CONOCO 32 oil. This
WARNING!
may be replaced by any other good quality oil with 150
If the lift is mounted on an unstable surface,
SSU at 100° F and rust and oxidation inhibitors and
it may tip over when it is in use. You may
anti-wear properties. If the lift will be used at ambient
be hurt, and the lift and load may be
damaged. temperatures below 0°F, use aircraft hydraulic oil. Use
Type 15 aircraft hydraulic oil.
4. Attach the flexible safety lip to the front of the unit
using the screws supplied (#10-24 x 3/8’’).
The following are equivalent to CONOCO 32:
5. The standard unit has a 5 foot hose (1.2m)
connecting the power unit to the lift. This can be TYPE ........................MANUFACTURER
extended to a maximum of 50 feet (12.7m). DTE 24 .....................EXXON/MOBIL
NUTO H32 ................EXXON/MOBIL
AMOCO AW32 .........CHEVRON (AMOCO CO.)
Hydraulic Connections
CITGO AW32.............CITGO
(External Power Units Only – If Internal Power Unit,
proceed to step 10.)
8. Install the power unit. Install the hydraulic line CAUTION!
between the power unit and the lift as shown on the pit It is very important to keep the hydraulic
plan. oil free of dirt, dust, metal chips, water, and
9. Blow out the hydraulic line with compressed air other contamination. Most of the problems
before connecting it to the power unit. Replace the solid with hydraulic systems are caused by
plug on the hydraulic fluid tank with the vented plug
contamination in the oil.
supplied, then attach the vent line to the vented plug.
Electrical Connections 4. Test the lift with the rated load. If the lift does not rise,
and you hear a loud squealing noise, the pressure
DANGER! relief valve is operating. Contact Southworth for
The lift may use a power supply of up to 575 instructions.
Volts AC. This voltage can kill you. Do not WARNING!
work with the electrical parts unless you are When adjusting the flow control, always
a qualified electrician. raise the lift table and insert the maintenance
devices, as shown in Fig. 1. Do not try to
1. The lift is supplied with a power cord which is 10’
adjust the flow control while pressing the
long (305 cm). You must provide a two-prong outlet
“down” button. If you try this, the lift table
within this distance fromthe lift. The circuit should
may drop suddenly, and you may be hurt.
be provided with a 20 amp circuit breaker or fuse.
WARNING! 5. As a final step, clean up all spilled hydraulic fluid.
To avoid fire danger, be sure to provide a Spilled hydraulic oil is slippery, and may present a
circuit breaker or fuse. fire hazard. If you clean up any spilled fluid, you will
be able to tell right away if the lift begins to leak.
2. The foot switch assembly is attached to the lift by
a 10’ cable (305 cm). Position the control box in a
convenient location near the lift.
3. Check the level of the hydraulic fluid in the tank.
When the lift is fully lowered, the oil should be 1/2’’
to 3/4’’ (13 to 19 mm) below the top of the tank. Add
oil as necessary.
Testing
1. Clear the area around the lift. Remove any loose
wires, lumber, or other materials which might get
in the way of the lift as it raises or lowers.
2. Warn others to stay away from the lift. Operate the
lift through its full range of travel. The lift should
rise smoothly with a quiet humming sound, and
lower smoothly and quietly. Raise and lower the lift
a few times to check the clearances around the lift
table.
WARNING!
As the lift table moves up and down, “pinch
points” are created at the places shown in
Fig. 5. If you are standing too close to the lift
when it is moving, your arm or leg may be
caught in the moving parts, and you may be
hurt. Stay away from the pinch points when
the lift is moving.
3. If the lift is lowering too quickly or too slowly, you
can change the “down speed” by adjusting the flow
control.
If you want the table top to lower more slowly, turn
the control clockwise up to 1/4 turn at a time. If you
want the table top to lower more quickly, turn the
control counterclockwise up to 1/4 turn. Don’t move
the control more than 1/4 turn at a time.
OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS
SAFETY LABEL COMPLIANCE
To aid in understanding the concept and the importance of the symbol and signal word, the following
has been excerpted from ANSI Z535.4.
The meaning of different signal words as defined by ANSI Z535.6 and Z535.4 standards may be
provided in collateral materials. The following artwork may be used for this purpose.
(Orange Background)
(Blue Background)
OPERATING PROCEDURE
AND PRECAUTIONS
WARNING!
Do not try to lift a load that exceeds the Fig. 4 – Center the Load
maximum rating. If you try this, the lift may
fail suddenly. Someone may be hurt, and
the lift and load may be damaged.
• Place the load in the center of the lift table, as shown
in Fig. 3.
• Do not try to load the lift while the lift table is moving.
• If you are lifting pipes or other objects which may
be able to roll or move, fasten them down, or hold
them in place with blocks as shown in Fig. 4.
WARNING!
As the lift table moves up and down, “pinch
points” are created as shown in Fig. 5. Stay
away from these pinch points! Part of your
body or clothing may become caught, and
you may be hurt.
WARNING!
If you hear a squealing noise from the
pump, the pressure relief valve is operating.
Do not continue to use the lift! The pump
will overheat very quickly, and may be
permanently damaged. The relief valve is
included to protect the machine operators
– do not change the relief pressure setting.
5. When the table reaches the end of its travel, you
will hear the pump motor speed up. Release the
control button to stop the lift. It is better to stop the
lift just a moment before the table reaches the end
of its travel. This will reduce wear on the pump and
motor.
WARNING! Fig. 6 – Pinch Points
The warning labels on the lift are there for
your safety. If you find that the labels are
worn or missing, or have been painted
over, ask Maintenance to replace the labels
before you use the lift. The labels are shown
in Fig. 6.
• Check all of the hydraulic fittings and hoses, and Repacking the Cylinders
tighten the connections as necessary. Sometimes
The lifts in the “ZLS” Series may use several different
the fittings can be worked loose by the vibrations
types of cylinders. To order a repacking kit and receive
from the power unit.
repacking instructions, please call the Southworth Parts
WARNING! Department at (207) 878-0700 or (800) 743-1000. When
If a hydraulic fitting becomes loose, or if a ordering, specify the model number and serial number
hydraulic hose breaks, the hydraulic fluid may of the lift.
escape from the system under pressure. If the
lift table is elevated when this happens, it can
drop quickly. Someone may be hurt, or the lift Replacing the Leg Rollers
or load may be damaged. Be sure all hydraulic For instructions, please call the Southworth Parts
fittings are tight. Department at (207) 878-0700 or (800) 743-1000. When
• The clear plastic vent line and the surface of the ordering replacement parts, please specify the model
cylinder rod should be free of hydraulic fluid. If number and serial number of the lift.
you find much fluid in either place, the cylinder
seals may be leaking. (It is also possible the tank
may be overfilled.) Contact the Southworth Parts
Department for instructions on repacking the
cylinder.
• Disassemble the down valve. Blow the valve
plunger clean with compressed air. Reassemble
and reinstall the valve.
• Drain and discard the hydraulic fluid. The suction
filter is in the tank, at the point where the suction
line runs out to the pump. Unscrew the hydraulic
line, then remove the filter. Blow the filter clean with
compressed air. Reinstall the filter in the tank and
reassemble the hydraulic line.
• Refill the tank with new hydraulic fluid.
CAUTION!
If you continue to use fluid after it has “worn
out,” the moving parts in the system will wear
more quickly.
• Be sure all of the warning labels are in position
and legible. The labels are shown in Figure 6. The
warning labels are intended to protect your workers.
If the labels are missing, or if they have been painted
over, replace them.
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE CHECK THIS
Weight of load too heavy Check the actual weight of the load
Motor not running Check the main disconnect switch, fuses, and
wiring to the motor. A 20 amp, designated braker
must be supplied for 110V
Hydraulic oil level low When lift is raised as far as possible, oil level
should be 3/4” from bottom of tank. When lift is
down, 3/4” from top
Lift has reached its upper limit Upper limit switch may need to be adjusted
Motor may be “single phasing” If motor hums but does not turn, check motor wir-
ing and line fuses.
Lift will not raise Motor voltage too low Supply voltage should be +/- 10% of the rating at
the motor terminals.
Tank vent plugged If supplied, remove solid plug from tank, insert
vent plug.
Suction filter clogged Clean suction filter as described in periodic main-
tenance
Vacuum leak in suction line Check all fittings in suction line
Down valve may be energized Check wiring to down valve, and solenoid in the
valve
Missing coupling Check to insure the coupling has been installed
between the pump and motor
Down valve may be leaking Remove down valve and inspect for debris which
may be preventing it from closing.
The lift fails to hold Down valve may be energized Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter.
Cylinder may be leaking Check for oil in cylinder in the vent line.
Down valve may be de-ener- Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter
Lift will not lower gized
Flow control needs adjustment Adjust flow control as needed
Voltage may be low Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage
is being supplied
Foreign material clogging suction Remove necessary components and clean
Lift raises too
filter, breather cap or pressure
slowly line
Pump may be overheating due Check oil level and oil viscosity
to insufficient oil
Down valve may not be fully Remove down valve and clean
Lift lowers too open or stuck closed
slowly Flow control may need adjust- Adjust flow control as needed
ment
TROUBLESHOOTING WARNINGS
All servicing should be done by qualified personnel. Qualified personnel should be able to read and understand
wiring and hydraulic diagrams. They should be able to troubleshoot live electrical circuits safely and in accordance
with accepted practice. For safety’s sake, if in doubt, please contact your dealer or Southworth Products Corp.
Before servicing the lift, read and understand this entire section and the section entitled “Operating
Instructions.”
WARNING!
Before working underneath the lift, always raise the lift and insert the maintenance devices, as
shown in Figure 1. Failure to do so may result in damage to the lift and severe personal injury!
If the lift will not raise: If the lift elevates, but fails to hold a load:
CAUTION ! WARNING!
Do not continue to hold the “up” button for Failure to insert the maintenance devices
more than 2 or 3 seconds. You may damage may result in damage to the lift and severe
the pump. personal injury!
WARNING!
Do not change the relief valve setting. This
valve has been included for the protection of If the lift fails to lower:
workers who install, use, or service the lift.
WARNING!
If it is ever necessary to repair or reset the
Failure to insert the maintenance devices
valve, contact Southworth Products Corp.
may result in damage to the lift and severe
for instructions.
personal injury!
WARNING!
DANGER!
Do not disconnect the up limitswitch.
Do not try to adjust the flow control while
Instead, loosen the adjusting screw, and
pressing the “down” button. If you try this,
change the position of the arm. If you do
the lift table may drop suddenly, and you
disconnect the switch, when the lift platform
may be hurt.
moves up, it may not stop at the correct
point. If the platform rises above the normal
stopping point, the frame of the unit may
be damaged. People working nearby may
be hurt.
CAUTION!
If cavitation is allowed to continue, the pump
may be damaged, and may have to be replaced.
Fig. 8 – Parts Ilustration — Front End of Lift Fig. 9 – Parts Ilustration — Rear End of Lift
Parts replaced under warranty are on a “charge-credit” basis. We will invoice you when we ship the
replacement part, then credit you when you return the worn or damaged part.
Parts Department
Southworth Products Corp.
Telephone 207) 878-0700 or (800) 743-1000
FAX : (207) 797-4734
repairparts@SouthworthProducts.com
www.SouthworthProducts.com
2 YEAR WARRANTY
Spring PalletPal Load Leveler Lift with Flush Mount Turntable Portable Container Tilters
Dock Lifts
Portable Lifts
Positioning
Floor to
Mezzanine Lifts
Stretchwrapping
Pallet Rotators