How big is a tail lift?

[Huntsman]

I need to shift an object. Its 125 by 144cms, on casters, about 300kgs.

I can load with forks at our end, but it has to be unloaded on a site with no forks available.

So I am thinking if it goes on a truck with a tail lift I can unload on site using that.

But what size are tail lifts?

Looks like Luton van ones are 100cms, so no good.

Do bigger trucks have bigger tail lifts?

What am I looking for?

Failing this I'll have to hire a set of forks

[Huntsman]

I sorted this, called a transport co, they have a 26 ton truck with a gicantasaurus tail lift.

[Huntsman]

Not a piano.

I'm lucky enough to work in a very interesting field, we're doing a technology demo for a customer.

[grumpy52]

It tends to be the bigger the truck the bigger the tail lift .
Several different types out there.
Most common these days is the tuck under type that folds in half and operate on a central ram . These allow you to back up to loading bays with the lift well our of the way .
Others are pillar lift that run up and down uprights either side of the rear opening . These are lighter in weight and much more common on cheaper bodies and have been used for a long time.
It's always helpful when dealing with transport companies to give them information about sizes ,weight ,size of castors and if the package is top heavy/stable etc .
It's no fun trying to hold something on a sloping tail lift and operate the controls .
It's scary watching someone drop £500k worth of delicate equipment off a lift .

[fooman]

Mostly tail lifts are big enough for a standard pallet or two (1x1.2m each) anything bigger they'll expect you to have a forklift to load. There are some odd ones like Royal Mail trucks that have huge tail lifts about 2m square.