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Tail Lift Training
Learn how to safely use different types of tail lift / liftgate from Zepro, Dhollandia, Anteo and more
$49 +GST per person ($56.35)
4 x $12.25
Tail Lift Training
Learn how to safely use different types of tail lift / liftgate from Zepro, Dhollandia, Anteo and more
Tail lifts (also called liftgates) are an important piece of equipment used in transporting freight. Drivers must understand safe loading and unloading or they risk breaking the tail lift, having items fall off, falling off the tail lift themselves, or damaging people or objects around the tail lift.
Overloading tail lifts and falling off tail lifts are two common issues; falls can cause serious injuries such as broken bones and head injuries.
Incorrect use of the tail lift can invalidate the warranty.
This course is valid for tail lift operators worldwide who want to reduce their risk of injury and damage, and get better productivity from their tail lift.
Why do a tail lift online course?
If you've never been shown how to use a tail lift correctly, you could be putting yourself and others at risk, damaging or prematurely wearing out the equipment, or risking goods falling off.
As tail lifts are common, especially on smaller trucks, they are where many drivers begin in their trucking career. Gaining knowledge through these types of courses helps a new driver quickly become safe and productive, and it helps experienced driver sharpen their skills.
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What will you learn?
- The different types of tail lift
- How to open and close tail lifts
- How to load and unload a tail lift
- Common issues and how to troubleshoot them
- How to do a pre-start check on a tail lift
- How to do a risk assessment before unloading
- How to operate multiple types of load handling equipment when loading the tail lift
- How to load to the tail lift using a forklift or a dock
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Who is this course for?
- Drivers with a tail lift on a truck or ute/pickup
- Managers and supervisors
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What do you get with the course?
If you are purchasing the course for yourself:
- Full access to all training materials for 6 months.
- Download a certificate once the course is complete
If you are purchasing the course for your drivers:
- Free access to all management software
- Track driver training and produce reports
- Print or download certificates
- Invite other managers to help you manage drivers
- Group your drivers however you like
- Self-service setup and free support
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FAQs
What happens when you pass the course? You get a certificate of completion.
What training does this complement? Tail lift training is an excellent course to pair with Pre-trip inspection and Heavy vehicle load security.
Is there any instructor-led training? This course is online-only.
How long is the certificate valid for? Generally, training on this type of machinery is conducted every three years.
Does this course include a practical assessment? No, but that's not to say that you can't conduct a practical assessment in-house using your own tail lift.
Do I have to do NZQA unit standards? No, unit standards are optional. This course contains more information, tips and tricks than the unit standard course.
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What tail lift brands and types are covered?
It covers folding or cantilever tail lifts (with some mention of column tail lifts), plus folding tail lifts (tuck-under and slider-type).
We feature cantilever and folding tail lifts from Zepro, Palfinger, Anteo and Dhollandia. We show generic operation, it's not a specific training course for their products. The methods taught are applicable across all tail lifts worldwide.
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Requirements
- You will need one course licence per person taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple drivers
- It helps if you have access to a truck with a tail lift to practice, but it's not essential
- You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training
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Languages available
- Video subtitles/captions are available for all videos - see above for the list. Choose the language in the video.
- Questions: 76 languages are available - check the language option at the top of the page (note that written answers must be in English).
- Question audio: play audio of every question in English
- Documents: English
- Some captions are AI-generated and, as such, may have occasional errors.
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What countries is this training relevant for?
New Zealand - it complies with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 in relation to requirements for training on plant and vehicles
Australia - it complies with Safe Work Australia's requirements to train on plant, machinery and vehicles. No high-risk work licence is required for a tail lift.
UK - when lifting items or people on a tail lift, it comes under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), which requires operators of lifting equipment be properly trained and competent. This course complies with the requirements, but is not CPD accredited.
Ireland - complies with requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 under 'Use of Work Equipment'
South Africa - complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 (1993) (General duties of employers to their employees).
America (liftgates) - complies with OSHA requirements (additionally, it supports the specific requirement of 'receiving training in a language they understand')
Canada (liftgates) - complies with Occupational Health and Safety Regulations SOR86-304 section 19.6
Other countries: we offer 13 languages in our video subtitles (see above). The operation and safety concerns are the same regardless of the country you are in, and the rules will be similar. Most companies have some kind of health and safety at work legislation which governs safe use of plant, machinery and vehicles.
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What do our clients say?
"We have used Axle weight limits, and vehicle dimensions and mass, Manual handling and back injury prevention and Tail Lift training. We always find our team takes something useful away from your courses."
Bonnie McRae, General Manager, Direct Couriers
$49 +GST per person ($56.35)
4 x $12.25
Course provided by
TR Driver Training
TR Driver Training is New Zealand's largest training company for heavy vehicle drivers
Training modules
Tail Lift Modules
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The basic concepts of tail lifts on commercial vehicles, including their primary purpose, main types (focusing on folding tuck-under and vertical designs), key safety features like stabiliser legs6 minutes
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The operational differences between folding and vertical tail lifts, including their advantages and limitations for various loading scenarios (such as forklift access and bridge plate usage), whilst explaining the key mechanical components, safety features, and control systems that operators need to understand for safe operation.3 minutes
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Daily and weekly inspection requirements for tail lifts, covering essential safety checks of components like hydraulic systems, mechanical parts and warning devices, whilst emphasising the importance of regular maintenance and prompt reporting of any faults or irregularities.2 minutes
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Essential pre-operation procedures for safe tail lift operation, including proper vehicle positioning, personal protective equipment requirements, risk assessment of the working area, control system setup, and the importance of maintaining security and safety awareness whilst operating alone or in public areas.5 minutes
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How to interpret and apply tail lift load charts and safe working loads (SWL), emphasising the importance of considering total weight calculations (including equipment and operator), load positioning, centre of gravity limitations, and maintaining clear safety zones during operation.5 minutes
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The various layouts of controls and generically how they work.6 minutes
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The process for opening and closing cantilever and folded tail lifts while maintaining the safety of the load and personnel4 minutes
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Preparing the platform for loading, getting on and off it, working on the platform, and dealing with camber and slopes9 minutes
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Detailed instructions for safely handling pallets and pallet jacks on tail lifts, covering essential techniques for weight assessment, load positioning, movement control on slopes, proper pallet jack operation, and the specific procedures for loading and unloading whilst maintaining stability and operator safety throughout the process.5 minutes
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The safety considerations and proper handling techniques for different types of trolleys and wheeled racks on tail lifts, emphasising the importance of careful movement, speed control, proper grip height, and wheel alignment when transitioning onto platforms to prevent tipping and injury.4 minutes
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Avoiding manual handling injuries2 minutes
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Specific considerations for using tail lifts in conjunction with forklifts and loading docks, including guidance on when to use bridge plates versus platforms, managing suspension changes during loading and unloading, and proper forklift approach angles for maintaining platform stability.3 minutes
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Transferring from truck-to-truck, using docks and bridge plates, and safety considerations when driving a forklift into a truck3 minutes
Tail Lift Training
Learn how to safely use different types of tail lift / liftgate from Zepro, Dhollandia, Anteo and more
$49 +GST per person ($56.35)
4 x $12.25