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MAY 14, 2026

How to Operate a Maxon BMR Column Liftgate Safely and Correctly

The Maxon BMR column liftgate is part of Maxon’s Columnlift series, and proper operation depends on following the exact sequence.

This guide explains how to operate the liftgate from deployment to stow based on the procedures shown in the Maxon BMR operation documentation.

• Documentation Resources from Maxon
• Understanding BMR Controls
• Opening the Platform
• Lowering the Platform to Ground
• Operating the Retention Ramp
• Loading the Platform Properly
• Raising and Loading into Vehicle
• Unloading Process
• Stowing the Platform
• Using Cart Stops (If Equipped)
• Conclusion

Documentation Resources from Maxon

Information in this article is sourced from Maxon BMR manuals, technical guides, and 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:

• Maxon BMR Operation Manual
• Maxon BMR Spec Sheet

Understanding BMR Controls

The Maxon BMR uses two standard operating control locations. The ground access control is the column switch, and it allows the operator to raise, lower, fold, and unfold the platform while standing on the ground (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 12).

The platform access control is the runner switch on the right-hand runner. That switch allows the operator to raise and lower the platform only, and it stays within reach when the operator rides the platform up and down (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 12).

Some BMR units are also equipped with a power-down function. On those units: 

• The operator presses the POWER DOWN button once and then pushes and holds the DOWN toggle to lower the platform
• The POWER DOWN button illuminates to show that the function is activated

This feature is shown for both the column switch and the runner switch (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 13).

The spec sheet also identifies this as “Power Down on Demand” (Maxon-BMR-Spec-Sheet.pdf, pp. 1-2).

Before operating the liftgate, the operation manual also shows a pump box master select switch. For a single pump box, the switch must be turned to 1 to operate the liftgate. If equipped with a dual pump box, the master select switch can connect battery power to pump 1 or pump 2, and turning the switch OFF removes battery power from both pumps (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 14).

 In practice, the column switch is used for deployment and stowing, while the runner switch is used when riding the platform during lifting and lowering operations (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 12, 19, 23, 25-27).

Opening the Platform

For loading, the platform is first opened with the column switch. Here are the steps:

• The operator pushes the toggle switch to the DOWN position to lower the platform until the runner arrow and the yellow marker plate are about even.
• The platform is released from the locking wedges on the liftgate column (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 16).
• After the alignment is reached, the operator uses column switches 1 and 2 to UNFOLD the platform.
• Both toggle switches are held until the platform reaches the unfolded, horizontal position, and then released (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 16).

The same basic opening sequence is shown again in the unloading section of the manual (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 21).

The manual also notes that the two platform flashing lights flash when the platform is unfolding and when it is unfolded. Those lights stop flashing when the platform is folded or stowed (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 16, 27).

The spec sheet also lists flashing platform lights as a BMR feature (Maxon-BMR-Spec-Sheet.pdf, p. 1).

Lowering the Platform to Ground

Once the platform is unfolded, it is lowered to the ground.

• During the loading sequence, the operator must use the column switch to lower the platform to the ground and release the toggle switch when it reaches the ground (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 16).
• During the unloading sequence, the operator must use the runner switch to lower the platform to the ground and release the switch when the platform reaches ground level (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 21, 25).
• The operator is to stand to one side of the platform and be certain that the area the liftgate moves through is clear of obstacles (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 6).

Before lowering during unloading, the operator must ensure the area surrounding the platform is clear of people and objects, and if standing on the platform, must not let feet extend beyond the inboard edge (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 25).

Operating the Retention Ramp

The Maxon BMR retention ramp is operated with a lock mechanism. To unfold the retention ramp into the ramp position:

• Pull the lock in the direction of the arrow and rotate the ramp to the ground (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 17).
• Pull the lock mechanism in the direction of the arrow and lift the retention ramp until it locks in the retention position when unloading,

The operation manual shows three distinct positions in use during operation: stowed position, ramp position, and retention position (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 17, 22, 26).

The spec sheet also notes a new retention ramp locking mechanism (Maxon-BMR-Spec-Sheet.pdf, pp. 1-2).

Loading the Platform Properly

At ground level, loads should be placed as close as possible to the inboard edge of the platform, with the heaviest part toward the truck body (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 18).

The same placement guidance applies for unloading at bed level when the load is positioned on the platform before lowering (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 24).

Also, loads should be moved across the ramp to the platform, but loads should never be rested on the ramp or raised on the ramp (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 18).

Other best practices include:

• A load should never extend past the edges of the platform.  
• Unstable loads should not be placed on the platform.
• The load must not exceed the lifting capacity of the liftgate (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 18, 24).

If the operator stands on the platform with the load, the manual shows a footprint area and instructs the operator not to allow feet to extend beyond the inboard edge of the platform (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 18, 24).

Raising and Loading into Vehicle

After the load is positioned on the platform for loading, the ramp is folded until it locks in the retention position (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 19).

The operation manual includes a caution that a ramp in the retention position can trip the operator when stepping over it. So, the operator to must get on the platform before putting the ramp in the retention position (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 19, 22).

With the ramp locked in retention position, the operator uses the runner switch to raise the platform from ground level to bed height and releases the switch when the platform reaches bed height (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 19).

The load is then carefully moved into the vehicle (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 19).

If there are more loads to put into the vehicle, the manual shows lowering the platform back to ground level with the runner switch and repeating the loading steps for each load (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 20).

Unloading Process

The unloading process begins with opening the platform using the same deployment sequence:

• Lower with the column switch until the runner arrow and yellow marker are about even
• use switches 1 and 2 to UNFOLD the platform until it is horizontal (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 21)
• The platform is then lowered to the ground with the runner switch
• The operator can place the ramp in retention position by pulling the lock and lifting the ramp until it locks (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 21-22)
• The platform is then raised from ground level to bed height with the runner switch (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 23)

When positioning the load for unloading, push the load out of the vehicle to the correct position on the platform.

Pulling the load from the vehicle to the platform can result in a fall from the platform and serious injury, so the operator should always push the load out onto the platform during unloading (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 24).

After the load is positioned, the runner switch is used to lower the platform to ground level. The operator then pulls up on the lock mechanism and lowers the retention ramp to the ramp position, and the load is carefully moved off the platform (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 25).

Stowing the Platform

When unloading or loading is complete, the retention ramp is pushed back to the stowed position (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 26).

To stow the platform, the operator first uses the column switch to raise the platform until the runner arrow and yellow marker plate on the left-hand column are aligned (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 26). This alignment step matters because the manual warns that the platform and bottom stops could be damaged if the platform is folded with the heel below the column bottom stops. It specifically says to align the arrow decals on the column and runner before folding, so the platform heel will be above the bottom stops (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 26).

After alignment, the operator holds both column switches 1 and 2 to FOLD the platform (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 27).

Then the operator uses the column switch to raise the platform to the upper locking position until the round wedge on each opener arm is behind the upper locking wedge on each column (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 27).

The manual warns that the upper locking wedges must be engaged before moving the vehicle (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 27).

Using Cart Stops (If Equipped)

Some BMR liftgates are equipped with cart stops. Cart stops prevent loaded carts from rolling off the outboard end of the platform (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 28).

A single cart stop is one section about the same as the overall width of the platform and operates with one set of controls. Dual cart stops are two identical sections with a combined width about the same as the overall width of the platform, and each one is independently operated with its own controls (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 28).

Cart stops should be closed before walking on and off the outboard end of the platform to prevent injuries caused by tripping and falling (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 28).

Also, cart stops are usually closed when not in use. To open them, the operator pushes the cart stop lock down with a foot, and the manual notes that the cart stop lock keeps them open (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, p. 29).

Conclusion

The correct BMR operating sequence is consistent throughout the Maxon operation manual: deploy with the column controls, load or position the platform correctly, use the runner switch for lifting and lowering while on the platform, and stow the platform only after aligning the runner arrow and yellow marker and fully engaging the upper locking wedges (Maxon-BMR-Operation-Manual-rev-C-2024.pdf, pp. 16-27).

Following that sequence helps the operator use the column liftgate exactly as Maxon describes for loading and unloading.

For help with liftgate parts or selecting a column liftgate for sale, contact our Team at LiftGateMe at parts@liftgateme.com or by calling (774) 266-8892.