Service

Order spare parts conveniently via our online shop. Using the device or serial number, you can quickly find the correct genuine parts for your tail lift.
For online orders, you receive a 3% discount. Deliveries within Germany and Austria are carriage-free for orders with a minimum order value of €60 and are shipped via parcel service.*

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at servicembb@palfinger.com or +49 4221 853 355.

*Available for PALFINGER tail lifts with a serial number starting with 8XXXXXX.

The training covers, among other topics, equipment design, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting, using models, circuit diagrams and technical documentation.

The content reflects current technical developments and legal requirements. Upon completion of the training, participants will have the necessary technical and legal basic knowledge for inspection and safe operation of tail lifts. Each participant receives a personal certificate.

Online training dates (training conducted in German)

• Wednesday, 4 March 2026
• Wednesday, 22 April 2026
• Wednesday, 10 June 2026
• Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• Wednesday, 9 December 2026

For organisational or content-related enquiries, please contact: seminarembb@palfinger.com

In the event of a malfunction, there are several ways to respond quickly and safely. Depending on the situation, you can use the tail lift’s emergency operation or – if required – request support from our technical support team.
Our service team is happy to assist you by phone if you have any questions or uncertainties: +49 4221 853 355

Emergency operation of the tail lift
In the event of a malfunction, the control systems of PALFINGER Tail Lifts enable operation in manual emergency mode. Sensors and non-essential consumers are selectively deactivated in order to eliminate potential sources of error.
This allows systematic troubleshooting to be carried out, the tail lift to be brought into transport position, and the vehicle to be transferred to a service or partner workshop as quickly as possible.

Activating emergency operation
(Control systems of the K, K-Plus, K-1 Plus, MBB Control and Basic E series)

If a sensor is defective, the tail lift can be moved using emergency operation – sensors are no longer queried during this process.

Operation via one- or two-hand control: 

• Press the “Open” and “Lower” buttons simultaneously and – if available – the additional button
• Hold the buttons for at least 10 seconds

Operation via Slimpanel:

• Press the additional button and any three function buttons simultaneously
• Hold the buttons for at least 10 seconds

The 7-segment display shows “E” – the tail lift is now in manual emergency operation. Automatic sequences are deactivated.

Important note on emergency operation
During emergency operation, all sensors are deactivated. The tail lift can move beyond its end positions. Observe all movements carefully and release the controls immediately once the intended position has been reached. There is a risk of damage to property.

Manual closing of the platform
If the tail lift cannot be operated via the controls even in emergency operation, the platform can be closed manually. To do so, activate the motor contractor and valve S5 directly at the hydraulic power unit.

Access to the hydraulic power unit
For tail lifts with a slide-in power unit

• Open the right-hand cover of the stand tube
• Loosen the fixing screw securing the hydraulic power unit to the stand tube.
• Pull out the hydraulic power unit until the motor contactor and valve S5 are accessible.

For tail lifts with box-type, universal or reversible power unit:

• Loosen and remove the hydraulic power unit cover

Raising the platform

• Bridge contacts 1 and 2 on the motor contactor until the platform reaches loading height

Closing the platform

• Bridge contacts 1 and 2 on the motor contactor
• At the same time, press valve S5 (e.g. using a screwdriver)

Completing installation 
For tail lifts with slide-in power unit:

• Slide the hydraulic power unit back into the stand tube and secure it with the fixing screw
• Close the cover

For tail lifts with box-type, universal or reversible power unit:

• Refit and secure the power unit cover

To ensure that your tail lift operates reliably over the long term, regular and condition-based maintenance is essential. This includes simple visual and functional checks as well as recurring service work.
The following guidelines support you in daily operation and help to reduce wear while maintaining operational safety.

Service and maintenance
As a general rule, your tail lift should be maintained according to its usage and subjected to regular professional servicing.

Important practical tips

• Lubricate bearings regularly: All bearing points should be lubricated according to the intensity of use to prevent unnecessary wear.
• Annual oil change recommended: The hydraulic oil should be changed annually, particularly before operation in winter conditions.
• Check carbon brushes: Carbon brushes are wear parts. Depending on on the frequency of use (single-shift or multi-shift operation), inspection is recommended 1 to 4 times per year.
  Damage caused by worn carbon brushes is not covered by warranty.

The complete maintenance and service schedule can be found in your inspection logbook.

Lubricants and operating materials
Hydraulic oil – recommendations

Standard version: 
Shell Tellus S2 V 15 
Operating temperature: –20 °C to +60 °C

Cold climate option: 
Aero Shell Fluid 41 
Operating temperature: –54 °C to +90 °C

Greases / oils – recommendations
For bearings on tilt and lift cylinders:

• Shell Gadus S2  (heavy-duty grease)
• Or a comparable grease with similar specification

For guide rails of tuck-under tail lifts: 

• Interflon Grease OG 
• Or a comparable grease with similar specification

For plastic bearings: 

• Interflon LUBE EP+ 
• Or a comparable lubricating oil

Technical documentation
Every PALFINGER Tail Lifts is supplied with a specific electrical and hydraulic diagram for the respective tail lift type. These documents are located directly next to the control board inside the support tube.

Identification and classification of your tail lift
Tail lifts differ in only a few, but crucial, characteristics. Clear identification is a prerequisite for: 

• selecting the correct spare parts
• using the correct electrical and hydraulic diagrams

Key characteristics include:

• Load capacity (e.g. 1,000 kg at standard load distance)
• Design type (cantilever, foldable, retractable, vertical)
• Year of manufacture (relevant for technical developments)

This information can be found on the tail lift type plate:

• on the rear of the platform
• on the mounting tube / main beam – attached either on the top of the driver’s side or on the underrun protection device

In addition, there should always be an inspection logbook in the vehicle documents. This is required for routine inspection according to the European machine norms and will be checked by a certified expert.

Electrical system & control
The control systems of PALFINGER Tail Lifts have been continuously developed, with a focus on ease of operation, efficiency and reliability.
A key component is the MBB Control system, which can be used across multiple product series.

Current control system types:           

• MBB CONTROL Eco, Plus or Premium       
• Basic E

Hydraulics
The hydraulic systems are based on a proven and reliable design. Their operation can be easily understood using the respective hydraulic diagram. Standard hydraulic diagrams can be found in the operating manual. In addition, each tail lift is supplied with an individual electrical and hydraulic diagram located directly on the vehicle.

Cylinder design and repair
All cylinders are manufactured exclusively in our own production facilities. This ensures that all components are available as spare parts and that the high PALFINGER quality is maintained over the long term. Certain repairs – such as replacing a seal kit on the tilt cylinder – can be carried out directly on the vehicle. Removal of the entire cylinder is not required. The time required is approximately one hour.

The automated feasibility study is currently available for selected C-type tail lifts* and vehicles**.
For all other tail lifts, we carry out the feasibility study individually based on the information you provide.

Please submit the required vehicle and body data via the relevant online forms. After review, our specialist team will provide a project-specific installation proposal.

• Feasibility study form for standard, foldable and retractable tail lifts
• Feasibility study form for vertical lifts

* Available tail lift types:

• MBB PTC 750 L / S
• MBB PTC 750 L / S
• MBB C 1000 L / S
• MBB C 1500 L / S / SZ
• MBB C 2000 L / LZ / S
• MBB C 2500 L / S / SZ
• MBB C 3000 S

**Available vehicles:

• DAF: CF, LF, XF, XB, XD, XG
• Iveco: Daily 4x4 SX / DX, E, S-Way, Stralis
• MAN: TGA, TGL, TGM, TGS, TGX
• Mercedes: Actros 5, Atego
• Mitsubishi: Canter
• Renault: C, D, T
• Scania: CB, P, R
• Volvo: FH, FL, FM, FE

The following overview contains the currently available certificates in accordance with UNECE Regulation No. 58 for underrun protection devices.

Cantilever

• MBB PTC 750 L: E4-58R03-00-0986-01_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 L: E4-58R03-02-1076-00_aw.pdf
• MBB PTC 750 S: E4-58R03-03-0874-02_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 S (1): E4-58R03-02-1115-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 S (3): E4-58R03-01-1005-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 S (3): E4-58R03-01-1006-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 SPL / SPR: E4-58R03-02-1007-00_aw.pdf
• MBB PTC 1000 LLW: E4-58R03-00-0992-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 750 LD - MBB C 1500 ML: E4-58R03-01-0425-02_aw.pdf
• MBB C 1000 SPL/SPR (1/3): E4-58R03-02-1010-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 1000 SPL/SPR (2/3): E4-58R03-02-1011-00_aw.pdf
• MBB PTC 1000 L - MBB PTC 1500 L: E4-58R03-03-1502-01_aw.pdf
• MBB PTC 1500 S - MBB PTC 2500 L: E4-58R03-03-1503-00_aw.pdf
• MBB C 1000 S - MBB C 3000 S: E4-58R03-02-0997-01_aw.pdf
• MBB C 1500 SZ - MBB 2000 LZ: E4-58R03-02-0997-01_aw.pdf
• MBB C 2000 SK - MBB C 2500 SK: E4-58R03-03-1009-01_aw.pdf

Foldable

• MBB F 1500 L / LX: E4-58R03-02-0997-01_aw.pdf

Retractable

• MBB R 1000 LM - MBB R 2500 S: E4-58R03-00-0383-01_aw.pdf

Vertical

• MBB V 1000 L: E4-58R03-01-1004-00_aw.pdf
• MBB V 4000: E4-58R03-02-1055-00_aw.pdf