Southworth Products is part of Southworth International Group (SIGI), the parent company of leading manufacturers of ergonomic vertical positioning equipment. For more information visit SIGI-Global.com.

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Please use this helpful information to troubleshoot issues with your Southworth equipment. Just find your equipment category and click on it to reveal a list of common issues and suggestions for resolving them. If you don't find what you need, don't worry, just give us a call, 800-743-1000.

Lift Tables - Click to Expand

All lift tables including LL, LS, DL, LST, LSH, ZLS, and LiftMat Series.

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CHECK THIS

Lift will not raise 

Weight of load too heavy

Check actual weight of the load.

 

Motor not running

Check the main disconnect switch, fuses, and wiring to the motor. A 20 amp designated breaker 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 wiring and line fuses.

 

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 and insert vent plug.

 

Suction filter clogged

Clean suction filter as described in periodic maintenance.

 

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.

Lift fails to hold

Down valve may be leaking

Remove down valve and inspect for debris which may be preventing it from closing.

 

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.

Lift will not lower

Down valve may be

de-energized

Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter.

 

Flow control needs adjustment

Adjust flow control as needed.

Lifts raises too slowly

Voltage may be low

Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage is being supplied.

 

Foreign material clogging suction filter, breather cap or pressure line

Remove necessary components and clean.

 

Pump may be overheating due to insufficient oil

Check oil level and oil viscosity.

Lift lowers too slowly

Down valve may not be fully open or stuck closed

Remove down valve and clean.

 

Flow control may need adjustment

Adjust flow control as needed.


Roll-On Level Loaders - ROLL-C - Click to Expand

All ROLL-C Models

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CHECK THIS

Lift will not raise 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflector Blocked Check to ensure nothing is blocking reflector or photoeyes

Weight of load too heavy

Check actual weight of the load.

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 wiring and line fuses.

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 and insert vent plug.

Suction filter clogged

Clean suction filter as described in periodic maintenance.

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.

Lift fails to hold

 

 

Down valve may be leaking

Remove down valve and inspect for debris which may be preventing it from closing.

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.

Lift will not lower

 

Down valve may be de-energized

Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter.

Flow control needs adjustment

Adjust flow control as needed.

Lifts raises too slowly

 

 

Voltage may be low

Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage is being supplied.

Foreign material clogging suction filter, breather cap or pressure line

Remove necessary components and clean.

Pump may be overheating due to insufficient oil

Check oil level and oil viscosity.

Lift lowers too slowly

 

Down valve may not be fully open or stuck closed

Remove down valve and clean.

Flow control may need adjustment

Adjust flow control as needed.


Portable Container Tilters - Click to Expand

PTU2 & PTU4 Models

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CHECK THIS

Tilt platform will not raise 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battery may need charging    Battery volt level.
 Is the charger putting out 12 volts?
 Check that 12 volts is being reached at the motor and motor relay.
 Is the charger operating properly

Weight of load too heavy

Check actual weight of the load.

Unit is low on oil

Inside the tank, make sure the oil is full to the elbow in the filler pipe.

Tank vent may be plugged

Make sure the solid plug is not in place of the vent plug.

Suction filter may be clogged

Remove and clean the suction filter

Down valve coil may be energized

Remove the down valve and ensure that it is not being energized when the up button is pushed. Check wiring to the down valvle

Unit elevates but will not hold a load

 

Down valve coil may be energized

Remove the down valve and ensure that it is not being energized when the up is pushed. Check wiring to the down valve.

Ensure that debris is not holding the down valve plunger open.

Cylinder may be leaking

Check the vent line for signs of oil.

Unit fails to lower

 

 

Down valve may not be energized

 

 

Make sure that the coil is energized when the down valve button is pushed.

Ensure that the down valve itself is shifting and allowing oil to go back to the tank. Do not remove when under pressure.

Check that nothing is binding, causing the unit not to lower.


Upenders / Tilters - Click to Expand

Upender / Tilter Models

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CHECK THIS

Machine will not raise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weight of load too heavy Check actual weight of the load.
Motor not running Check the main disconnect switch, fuses, and wiring to the motor. A 20 amp designated breaker must be supplied for 110V.
Hydraulic oil level low When unit is raised as far as possible, oil level should be 3/4" from bottom of tank. When lift is down, 3/4" from top.
Machine has reached its limit switch Limit switch may need to be adjusted.
Motor may be "single phasing" If motor hums but does not turn, check motor wiring and line fuses.
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 and insert vent plug.
Suction filter clogged Clean suction filter as described in periodic maintenance.
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.

The machine fails to hold a load

 

 

Down valve may be leaking Remove down valve and inspect for debris which may be preventing it from closing.
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.

Machine will not lower

 

Down valve may be de-energized Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter.
Flow control needs adjustment Adjust flow control as needed.

Machine raises too slowly

 

 

Voltage may be low Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage is being supplied.
Foreign material clogging suction filter, breather cap or pressure line Remove necessary components and clean.
Pump may be overheating due to insufficient oil Check oil level and oil viscosity.

Machine lowers too slowly

 

Down valve may not be fully open or stuck closed Remove down valve and clean.
Flow control may need adjustment Adjust flow control as needed.

PalletPal Level Loaders - Click to Expand

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CHECK THIS

Unit lowers too easily and too early

Springs may be too weak Check the spring ratings.

Unit lowers too hard and too late

The springs may be too strong Check the spring ratings.

Top of unit rotates away from me/towards me on its own

Frame of the unit may not be level Move the unit to a level surface or install the optional adjusting feet to level base frame.

 Top of unit bounces

Shock absorber may be damaged Check for leaks or dents. Replace if necessary.

Excessive “rumble” when the rotating ring is turning

Excessive wear or lack of lubrication to bearings under the turntable Remove the turntable and replace the bearings.

Wear on the underside of the turntable

This is a normal condition caused by work-hardening of metal No repair is necessary.


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Southworth Products Corp
P.O. Box 1380 
Portland, ME 04104-1380 
Toll-Free: 800-743-1000
TEL: 207-878-0700
FAX: 207-797-4734
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SOUTHWORTH PRODUCTS CORP | P.O. Box 1380 | Portland, ME 04104-1380
Toll-Free: 800-743-1000 | TEL: 207-878-0700 | FAX: 207-797-4734 | Site Map |

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