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NOV 13, 2025

Choosing the Right Anthony AST Liftgate for Your Truck Fleet

For more than 80 years, Anthony Liftgates has set the standard for durable, low-maintenance lift solutions built for the delivery industry. The Anthony AST TuckUnder™ liftgate series carries that tradition forward with a lineup engineered for dependability, straightforward installation, and long service life.

While each AST model shares Anthony’s hallmark grease-free design and rugged construction, the AST, AST-Plus, and AST-L models are tailored for different vehicle bed heights and operational needs.

• Documentation Resources from Palfinger
• The Anthony AST Family
• AST and AST-Plus Overview
• AST-L (Low-Bed) Overview
• Platform and Material Options
• Optional Upgrades and Customization
• Choosing the Right Model for Your Fleet
• Why Fleets Trust the AST Series
• Conclusion

Documentation Resources from Palfinger

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

Reference PDFs used:

• Anthony Liftgates Product Guide
• Anthony AST Brochure (2014)
• Anthony AST Operation Manual
• Anthony AST Installation Manual
• Anthony AST Parts Manual (L-101A-10-2018)

The Anthony AST Family

The AST TuckUnder™ line represents Anthony’s standard tuck-under liftgate series for light and medium-duty trucks. All models mount neatly beneath the truck chassis to maintain full access to rear doors when stowed, combining a simple mechanical layout with a reputation for long-term reliability.

Core design features include grease-free bushings, low-pressure hydraulics, and a stainless-steel pump box—a combination that minimizes wear and eliminates routine lubrication requirements.

AST and AST-Plus Overview

The AST and AST-Plus models are built for general delivery applications requiring consistent lift performance across a wide range of truck beds. Each model delivers lift capacities from 1,500 lb to 3,500 lb, with a bed-height range of 38″ to 57″.

The following table shows their specifications in more detail.

Design highlights

• Grease-free bushings: Lifetime-warranty bushings at all pivot points; no lubrication required.
• Centralized Hydraulic System (CHS): All sensitive components sealed within a stainless-steel pump box for corrosion resistance and ease of service.
• Heavy-duty mechanical safety latch: A redundant lock that secures the platform when stowed.
• Spring-assist platform: Dual torsion springs reduce manual effort when folding or unfolding the platform.

Best use cases

The AST and AST-Plus serve medium-duty delivery fleets, particularly those handling mixed-weight cargo such as parcel shipments, furniture, or general goods. Their broad lifting range and sturdy wedge-style platforms make them a balanced choice for most box-truck configurations.

AST-L (Low-Bed) Overview

For trucks with lower chassis heights—common in refrigerated or cab-over models—the AST-L offers the same proven design with shorter lift geometry.

The model’s 36″ to 44″ bed-height range and 2,000 – 2,500 lb capacity are specifically optimized for vehicles that sit closer to the ground.

Here are the AST-L specifications in detail.

The AST-L’s compact lifting arms lower the deck angle for smoother loading of carts and pallet jacks while maintaining the same rugged durability found in the full-size AST line.

Platform and Material Options

Anthony platforms are purpose-built to match diverse cargo and operator preferences:

• Wedge Platforms – Tapered front-to-back for easy cart and dolly movement.
• ARR (Aluminum Retention Ramp) – A 3-position pivoting ramp for adjustable dock alignment and cart handling.
• Steel Platforms – Maximum durability for heavy-duty or high-impact environments.
• Aluminum Platforms – Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, ideal for northern climates or coastal operation.

All platform assemblies use Anthony’s grease-free pivot bushings and spring-assist linkage to maintain effortless folding motion and long service intervals.

Optional Upgrades and Customization

Anthony AST liftgates can be factory-equipped or dealer-modified with options that improve versatility and longevity:

• Power-down hydraulics – Provides controlled, powered descent (useful in cold-weather or uneven-load applications).
• Galvanized finish – Adds corrosion resistance and extends service life.
• ICC bumper – Optional rear-impact structure listed among available equipment (no FMVSS claim made in manufacturer materials).
• Cart stops – Mechanical stops prevent roll-off of wheeled cargo; compatible with wedge platforms.
• Walk-ramp compatibility – Certain floor-extension kits allow ramp attachments for combined loading flexibility.
• Electrical cut-off switch or solenoid – Recommended for operator safety and to prevent unauthorized use.

Choosing the Right Model for Your Fleet

Selecting the right tuck-under liftgate depends primarily on vehicle bed height, payload weight, and delivery style.

The following table will help you with your selection process. Keep in mind this is just a general rule of thumb, and should only be used as an initial guide. The right choice will always depend on your specific case and needs.

According to Anthony’s installation guidelines, the liftgate model must match both the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and bed-height range to ensure proper geometry and safe operation.

Why Fleets Trust the AST Series

Each AST liftgate is factory-assembled, filled, and function-tested before shipment to ensure consistent operation and simplified installation.

All models operate under low hydraulic pressure, which reduces strain on hoses and fittings while extending the system’s lifespan.

The grease-free bushing technology, introduced by Anthony in 1993, remains a defining feature—offering quiet, reliable pivot motion and eliminating routine lubrication.

Together with the stainless pump box, spring-assist linkage, and mechanical safety latch, the AST series delivers dependable performance designed for decades of real-world use.

Conclusion

Whether your fleet handles general delivery routes or temperature-controlled distribution, the Anthony AST family provides a trusted foundation built on precision engineering and ease of maintenance.

The AST and AST-Plus models cover standard-height vehicles with flexible configuration options, while the AST-L ensures reliable lifting for lower-bed trucks without compromising capacity.

All models share Anthony’s commitment to OEM liftgate parts, low-pressure hydraulics, and American-built durability.

For verified units or genuine liftgate parts for any AST model, contact our team at LiftGateMe for assistance and expert support.