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DEC 16, 2025

How the Anthony MTU-GLR Platform System Works

The Anthony MTU-GLR and Anthony MTU-GLR-WR series are Magnum tuck under liftgate systems designed around a mechanically controlled, predictable platform motion. This article focuses only on the MTU-GLR platform system itself: how the platform, linkages, and wedge design work together to create the Gentle Level Ride sequence.

• Documentation Resources from Palfinger
• Introduction to the MTU-GLR Platform System
• Platform Components in the MTU-GLR Platform System
• Gentle Level Ride Operation
• Platform Motion Through the Full Cycle
• Wedge Platform Design
• Mechanical Support Systems: Springs, Rollers, Dock Bumpers
• Conclusion: How the MTU-GLR Platform System Delivers Gentle Level Ride

Documentation Resources from Palfinger

Information in this article is sourced from Anthony MTU-GLR manuals and brochures, as well as the LiftGateMe team expertise. Always refer to your specific liftgate’s manuals for complete procedures and serial number, model, and year-specific details.

Reference PDFs used:

• Anthony MTU-GLR Installation Manual
• Anthony MTU-GLR Operation Manual
• Anthony MTU-GLR Brochure (2014)
• Anthony AST Installation Manual

Introduction to the MTU-GLR Platform System

The MTU-GLR platform system appears across multiple models and capacities. The 2014 brochure lists the Anthony MTU-GLR with lifting capacities of 2,500, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 6,000 lb (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1). The Anthony MTU-GLR-WR brochure lists WR models with 3,000 and 4,000 lb capacities (MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1).

In all cases, the core platform mechanics are built around Gentle Level Ride, a wedge-style platform and a linkage system that allows the platform to lower level, tilt at ground, and then re-level before the lifting cycle begins (Installation Manual, p. 35; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1).

Platform Components in the MTU-GLR Platform System

The Installation Manual provides a Platform Nomenclature diagram that defines the main mechanical elements of the MTU-GLR platform system (Installation Manual, p. 9). Key components include:

• Main Platform – Primary platform section identified as “Main Platform.”
• Flip-over Platform Section – The outboard section that pivots down to form the ramp surface, labeled “Flip-over Platform Section.”
• Radius Arm – Linkage connecting the platform assembly to the lift structure, identified as “Radius Arm.”
• Wheel Arm – A separate linkage labeled “Wheel Arm” that assists unfolding of the platform during lowering (Installation Manual, pp. 9, 22).
• Lift Frame – Structural element supporting the platform and linkages, identified as “Lift Frame.”
• Adapter Frame Tube – Structural tube between the body and lift frame labeled “Adapter Frame Tube.”
• Platform Installation Bracket – A bracket identified in the nomenclature and detailed later during installation as “platform installation brackets,” which help hold the liftgate and set spacing to the floor extension (Installation Manual, pp. 9, 16–17).
• Additional items in the same diagram include floor extension assembly, mounting plates (bolt-on and weld-on), dock bumpers, gussets, and transport latch pin (Installation Manual, p. 9).

These terms and diagrams define the mechanical elements discussed throughout the rest of the article.

How These Components Relate to Platform Behavior

The manuals do not present a single “mechanism description” paragraph, but they do show these components in context:

• The adapter frame tube and mounting plates determine geometry so the platform can travel through its full cycle correctly (Installation Manual, pp. 18–19).
• The wheel arm is explicitly described as helping the platform unfold as it is lowered from the stored position, and it can be adjusted for more or less unfolding force (Installation Manual, p. 22).
• Platform installation brackets help hold the liftgate against the floor extension and provide proper spacing (Installation Manual, pp. 16–17).

Together, the named platform and linkage components define the mechanical structure that enables Gentle Level Ride.

Gentle Level Ride Operation

Core GLR Behavior

The Installation Manual’s Gentle Level Ride description states that the MTU-GLR platform:

• Maintains a smooth, level up and down operation until the platform reaches the ground.
• Then tilts gently forward.
• The platform then re-levels itself at the start of the lifting cycle.

(Installation Manual, p. 35; wording echoed in MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1.)

Ground Contact and Forward Tilt

During testing and adjustment, the Installation Manual further describes the motion:

• The platform should lower parallel to the ground until the back portion nearest the truck touches the ground.
• It should then tilt forward until the front edge touches the ground.

(Installation Manual, p. 21.)

This description ties directly into Gentle Level Ride: level travel, initial ground contact at the rear, then forward tilt.

Re-leveling Before Lifting

The full-cycle check in the Installation Manual notes that the platform again levels itself before raising during the Up cycle (Installation Manual, p. 19). This matches the GLR summary that the platform re-levels at the start of the lifting cycle.

In practice, this means the operator uses the standard control switch, and the platform’s leveling/tilting sequence is governed by the linkage geometry rather than separate manual tilting controls.

Platform Motion Through the Full Cycle

Definition of a Full Cycle

The Installation Manual defines a complete platform cycle:

• A full cycle is when you perform all of these functions: Up, Down, Open, Close, Tilt-Down, & Tilt-Up. (Installation Manual, p. 19.)

Anthony uses this definition as the standard for confirming correct mechanical motion after installation.

Opening and Unfolding

The Operation Manual’s operating instructions describe the basic sequence (Operation Manual, pp. 10–11):

• Move the latch pin to release the liftgate.
• Press DOWN until the folded platform rests on the ground.
• Manually unfold the main platform.
• Manually unfold the flip-over section.
• Use UP and DOWN to raise or lower the platform.
• Reverse the steps to fold and store the platform, ensuring it is locked in the storage position.

A separate instruction/decal page notes that as the platform lowers, it begins to open as it lowers (Operation Manual, p. 12).

Lowering, Rollers, and Tilt-Down

On the operation decal, the lowering behavior is described as follows:

• Press the DOWN button.
• The platform lowers until it contacts the ground, then tilts downwards towards the ground.
• As the rollers contact the ground when lowering, the platform begins tilting, and the operator continues until the ramp edge touches the ground (Operation Manual, p. 12).

This matches the Installation Manual’s description that the platform moves parallel to the ground until the rear portion touches, then tilts forward until the front edge touches (Installation Manual, p. 21).

Tilt-Up and Raising

The same operation decal explains that when the UP button is pressed, the platform tilts up, then begins to raise (Operation Manual, p. 12). In the full-cycle description, the Installation Manual notes that the platform levels itself before raising during the Up cycle (Installation Manual, p. 19).

This confirms:

• Tilt-Down occurs after ground contact during lowering.
• Tilt-Up occurs at the beginning of the raising sequence.
• The platform passes through level positions as part of both lowering and lifting, as described under Gentle Level Ride.

Behavior When the System Is Not Geometrically Correct

The manuals limit “diagnosis” to geometry-dependent behavior:

• If the platform does not travel correctly through its full cycle, the mounting plates may be incorrectly positioned.
• The manual notes that the main issue in the platform not raising and lowering correctly is an incorrect distance between the top of the adapter frame tube and the truck frame (Installation Manual, p. 19).

This article does not go into troubleshooting steps—only the mechanical consequence that incorrect geometry prevents the platform from completing its defined full cycle.

Wedge Platform Design

Wedge Platform Concept

The 2014 brochure lists “Wedge Platform – Wedge design provides easy, secure loading” as one of the key advantages of the Anthony MTU-GLR (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1).

The 2016 WR brochure describes an “Aluminum Wedge Platform – Large wedge design provides plenty of space and easy loading for all types of cargo” for Anthony MTU-GLR-WR models (MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, pp. 1–2).

Together, these statements establish that the MTU-GLR and MTU-GLR-WR use a wedge-shaped platform geometry intended to ease loading and provide a generous usable area.

Platform Materials and Sizes

The 2014 brochure lists Available Platforms for the MTU-GLR:

• Steel main / aluminum flip 80" x 60" wedge
• All aluminum 80" x 60" wedge (not available on MTU-GLR-6)

(MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1.)

The 2016 WR brochure lists:

• All aluminum 80" x 60" wedge platforms for the WR-3 and WR-4 models (MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 2).

This confirms the core wedge geometry and material options for both standard GLR and Anthony MTU-GLR-WR models.

Mechanical Support Systems: Springs, Rollers, Dock Bumpers

Spring-Assist Platform (Torsion Springs)

Under “Key Advantages” and “Standard Features,” the brochures call out Spring Assist Platform:

• “Dual torsion springs provide effortless platform operation.” (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1.)

These torsion springs are mechanical supports that reduce the effort required to handle the platform, especially the flip-over section during unfolding and folding.

Ground-Contact Rollers

Both brochures list Ground Contact Rollers as a standard feature:

• “Rollers prevent scraping damage to liftgate and concrete or asphalt.” (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1.)

The operation decal further ties the rollers to the motion sequence:

• “As the rollers contact the ground when lowering, the platform begins tilting…” (Operation Manual, p. 12.)

So, the rollers serve:

• A protective function (avoiding scraping damage).
• A mechanical role as the point at which the platform transitions from level travel to tilt-down in the Gentle Level Ride sequence.

Dock Bumpers

Dock bumpers are also listed as standard:

• For MTU-GLR: “Max Duty Dock Bumpers – Helps protect floor extension from contact with dock. Includes rubber bumpers.” (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1.)
• For MTU-GLR-WR: “Max Duty Dock Bumpers – Protects liftgate from contact with dock. Includes rubber bumpers.” (MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1.)

In the context of platform mechanics, this means the dock bumpers act as physical stops that limit how far the rear of the truck can back toward a dock, helping to keep the platform and floor extension from contacting the dock structure.

Conclusion: How the MTU-GLR Platform System Delivers Gentle Level Ride

From the Anthony documentation, the MTU-GLR platform system can be summarized mechanically as follows:

• A defined set of components—main platform, flip-over section, radius arm, wheel arm, lift frame, adapter frame tube, and platform installation brackets—are identified in the platform nomenclature (Installation Manual, p. 9).
• Gentle Level Ride describes the motion: the platform stays level through lowering, contacts the ground at the rear, tilts gently forward as the ramp edge comes down, then re-levels at the start of the lifting cycle (Installation Manual, pp. 19, 21, 35; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1).
• A full cycle is clearly defined as Up, Down, Open, Close, Tilt-Down, and Tilt-Up (Installation Manual, p. 19).
• Wedge platform designs in steel main/aluminum flip or all-aluminum configurations are sized at 80" x 60" and are described as providing easy, secure loading and plenty of space for cargo (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 2).
• Mechanical support systems—spring-assist torsion springs, ground-contact rollers, and dock bumpers—reduce handling effort, protect the equipment and surface, and participate in the platform’s controlled transition between level and tilted positions (MTU-GLR Brochure 2014, p. 1; MTU-GLR-WR Brochure 2016, p. 1; Operation Manual, p. 12).

For fleets evaluating a tuck under liftgate for sale, this mechanically focused view of the Anthony MTU-GLR and Anthony MTU-GLR-WR platforms shows how their defined linkages, wedge geometry, and Gentle Level Ride sequence come directly from the manufacturer’s own descriptions.

If you’d like help selecting the right tuckunder liftgate configuration for your fleet—or need OEM platform components for any Anthony MTU-GLR or Anthony MTU-GLR-WR model—contact the LiftGateMe team. We can assist with verifying part numbers, confirming model compatibility, and ensuring you receive the correct equipment for your truck or trailer application.