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
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PROBLEM |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CHECK THIS |
|---|---|---|
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Lift will not raise |
Weight of load too heavy |
Check actual weight of the load. |
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Motor not running |
Check the main disconnect switch, fuses, and wiring to the motor. A 20 amp designated breaker must be supplied for 110V. |
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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. |
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Lift has reached its upper limit |
Upper limit switch may need to be adjusted. |
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Motor may be "single phasing" |
If motor hums but does not turn, check motor wiring and line fuses. |
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Motor voltage too low |
Supply voltage should be +/- 10% of the rating at the motor terminals. |
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Tank vent plugged |
If supplied, remove solid plug from tank and insert vent plug. |
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Suction filter clogged |
Clean suction filter as described in periodic maintenance. |
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Vacuum leak in suction line |
Check all fittings in suction line. |
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Down valve may be energized |
Check wiring to down-valve, and solenoid in the valve. |
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Missing coupling |
Check to insure the coupling has been installed between the pump and motor. |
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Lift fails to hold |
Down valve may be leaking |
Remove down valve and inspect for debris which may be preventing it from closing. |
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Down valve may be energized |
Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter. |
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Cylinder may be leaking |
Check for oil in cylinder in the vent line. |
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Lift will not lower |
Down valve may be de-energized |
Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter. |
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Flow control needs adjustment |
Adjust flow control as needed. |
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Lifts raises too slowly |
Voltage may be low |
Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage is being supplied. |
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Foreign material clogging suction filter, breather cap or pressure line |
Remove necessary components and clean. |
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Pump may be overheating due to insufficient oil |
Check oil level and oil viscosity. |
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Lift lowers too slowly |
Down valve may not be fully open or stuck closed |
Remove down valve and clean. |
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Flow control may need adjustment |
Adjust flow control as needed. |
Roll-On Level Loaders - ROLL-C - Click to Expand
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PROBLEM |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CHECK THIS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lift will not raise
|
Reflector Blocked | Check to ensure nothing is blocking reflector or photoeyes |
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Weight of load too heavy |
Check actual weight of the load. |
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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. |
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Lift has reached its upper limit |
Upper limit switch may need to be adjusted. |
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Motor may be "single phasing" |
If motor hums but does not turn, check motor wiring and line fuses. |
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Motor voltage too low |
Supply voltage should be +/- 10% of the rating at the motor terminals. |
|
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Tank vent plugged |
If supplied, remove solid plug from tank and insert vent plug. |
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Suction filter clogged |
Clean suction filter as described in periodic maintenance. |
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Vacuum leak in suction line |
Check all fittings in suction line. |
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Down valve may be energized |
Check wiring to down-valve, and solenoid in the valve. |
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Missing coupling |
Check to insure the coupling has been installed between the pump and motor. |
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Lift fails to hold
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Down valve may be leaking |
Remove down valve and inspect for debris which may be preventing it from closing. |
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Down valve may be energized |
Check the solenoid in the valve with a volt meter. |
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Cylinder may be leaking |
Check for oil in cylinder in the vent line. |
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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. |
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Lifts raises too slowly
|
Voltage may be low |
Check voltage at motor to ensure proper voltage is being supplied. |
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Foreign material clogging suction filter, breather cap or pressure line |
Remove necessary components and clean. |
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Pump may be overheating due to insufficient oil |
Check oil level and oil viscosity. |
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Lift lowers too slowly
|
Down valve may not be fully open or stuck closed |
Remove down valve and clean. |
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Flow control may need adjustment |
Adjust flow control as needed. |
Portable Container Tilters - Click to Expand
|
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 | ||
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Weight of load too heavy |
Check actual weight of the load. |
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Unit is low on oil |
Inside the tank, make sure the oil is full to the elbow in the filler pipe. |
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Tank vent may be plugged |
Make sure the solid plug is not in place of the vent plug. | |
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Suction filter may be clogged |
Remove and clean the suction filter | |
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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 |
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Unit elevates but will not hold a load
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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. | ||
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Cylinder may be leaking |
Check the vent line for signs of oil. |
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Unit fails to lower
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Down valve may not be energized
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Make sure that the coil is energized when the down valve button is pushed. |
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Ensure that the down valve itself is shifting and allowing oil to go back to the tank. Do not remove when under pressure. |
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Check that nothing is binding, causing the unit not to lower. |
Upenders / Tilters - Click to Expand
|
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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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
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PROBLEM |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CHECK THIS |
|---|---|---|
|
Unit lowers too easily and too early |
Springs may be too weak | Check the spring ratings. |
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Unit lowers too hard and too late |
The springs may be too strong | Check the spring ratings. |
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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. |
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Top of unit bounces |
Shock absorber may be damaged | Check for leaks or dents. Replace if necessary. |
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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. |
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Wear on the underside of the turntable |
This is a normal condition caused by work-hardening of metal | No repair is necessary. |
