View all Posts

MAR 13, 2026

How to Safely Operate a Maxon GPTLR Tuck Under Liftgate

Safe operation of a tuck under liftgate depends on following the exact procedures outlined by the manufacturer. The Maxon GPTLR series is designed for controlled loading and unloading when operated correctly. According to the Operation Manual, incorrect operation can result in serious personal injury, and untrained persons must not operate the liftgate.

This guide walks you step-by-step through proper operator procedure using only the official Operation Manual.

• Documentation Resources from Maxon
• Importance of Proper Operation
• Lowering & Unfolding the Platform
• Loading at Ground Level
• Loading at Bed Level
• Cart Stops (If Equipped)
• Retention Ramp (If Equipped)
• Roadside Operation Advisory
• Forklift Advisory
• Proper Stow Procedure
• Conclusion

Documentation Resources from Maxon

Information in this article is sourced exclusively from official Maxon GPTLR documentation, as well as LiftGateMe’s technical review of those documents. Always refer to your specific liftgate’s manuals for complete procedures and serial number, model, and year-specific requirements.

Reference PDFs used:

• Maxon GPTLR Operation Manual rev B 2023

Importance of Proper Operation

Maxon states that incorrect operation of this liftgate can result in serious personal injury and requires compliance with all warnings and operating instructions (Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 5). Operators must not allow untrained persons or children to operate the liftgate (p. 5).

During operation, Maxon instructs the operator to stand to one side of the platform and ensure that the area through which the liftgate will move is clear of obstacles and bystanders (p. 5). The manual also states that no part of the body should be placed under, within, or around moving portions of the liftgate or where body parts could become trapped between the platform and vehicle floor or the platform and ground (p. 5).

Operators must also never use a cell phone while operating the liftgate (p. 5). These warnings apply whether the liftgate is deployed as a tuckaway liftgate, a tuck-under liftgate, or in any other configuration within the GPTLR series.

Lowering & Unfolding the Platform

Correct deployment begins with proper lowering and unfolding procedures.

Lowering the Platform

To begin:

• Stand to the side of the platform
• Push the toggle switch DOWN
• Lower the platform until it touches the ground

(Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 14)

Standing to the side is specifically instructed in the manual (p. 14) and reinforces the general safety guidance on page 5.

Warning About Switch Use During Unfolding

Maxon clearly states:

“Never operate control switch while unfolding platform.” (Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 14)

Once lowered to the ground, the platform is unfolded manually (p. 14).

Flipover Unlatching Procedure

Before unfolding the flipover:

• Push down on the flipover
• Pull the latch to release

(Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 15)

The manual warns to pull the latch only as shown to prevent injury and notes that the flipover must be unlatched before it can be unfolded (p. 15).

Unfolding the Flipover

With the platform on the ground, unfold the flipover as shown in the manual (p. 16). At this point, the platform is ready for loading.

Raising & Lowering the Platform

To raise the platform:

• Push the toggle switch to the UP position
• Wait one second after the platform reaches bed height before releasing the switch

To lower:

• Push the toggle switch DOWN

Releasing the toggle switch stops platform movement (Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 16).

Loading at Ground Level

Lower Fully to Ground

For ground-level loading, the manual again instructs lowering the platform until it touches the ground before loading (p. 17).

Move Load Onto Platform

With the platform fully lowered, move the load onto the platform at ground level (p. 18).

Load Positioning Requirements

Maxon warns:

• A load should never extend past the edges of the platform
• Do not place unstable loads on the platform
• Do not exceed the lifting capacity of the liftgate

(Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 18)

Rated capacities are listed as:

• GPTLR-25: 2,500 lb
• GPTLR-33: 3,300 lb
• GPTLR-44: 4,400 lb
• GPTLR-55: 5,500 lb

(p. 5)

Inboard Edge & Foot Placement

Loads should be placed as close as possible to the inboard edge with the heaviest part toward the vehicle body (p. 19). If standing on the platform, do not allow feet to extend beyond the inboard edge (p. 18).

Loading at Bed Level

Push Load Out — Never Pull

The manual states:

“Pulling the load from vehicle to platform can result in a fall from platform and serious injury. When unloading vehicle, always push the load out on the platform.” (Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 19)

This instruction appears multiple times throughout the cart stop and retention ramp sections as well (pp. 19, 27, 30).

Proper Load Placement

When positioning loads at bed level:

• Place loads close to the inboard edge
• Position the heaviest portion toward the vehicle body

(p. 19)

Lower to Ground & Remove Load

After positioning at bed level and lowering to ground, move the load off the platform (p. 19).

Cart Stops (If Equipped)

Some Maxon GPTLR tuckunder liftgate models are equipped with cart stops.

Single vs. Dual Cart Stops

The manual explains that:

• Single cart stops are one section across the platform width
• Dual cart stops are two independent sections

(Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 25)

Standard Cart Stop Operation

When loading at ground level:

• Ensure cart stops are closed before loading
• Push on the opener block to close

(p. 25)

To open cart stops:

• Push on the opener block as shown

(p. 26)

Maxon cautions that to prevent injuries caused by tripping and falling, cart stops must be closed before walking on and off the outboard end of the platform (p. 25). Cart stops must also be latched closed when not in use (p. 28).

Back Cart Stops

For liftgates equipped with back cart stops:

• Open by stepping on the cart stop and sliding foot over the latch (p. 28)
• Close by stepping on the stop and rotating to latch (p. 31)

Load positioning requirements remain the same: close to inboard edge, heaviest part toward vehicle body (pp. 29–30).

Retention Ramp (If Equipped)

Some Maxon GPTLR models include a retention ramp instead of cart stops.

The manual explains that a retention ramp prevents loaded carts from rolling off the outboard end, similar to a cart stop, but allows use of the entire load surface of the platform (p. 32).

Ramp Position vs Retention Position

The ramp can be rotated and locked in either:

• Ramp position (for walking on/off platform)
• Retention position (to retain loads)

(p. 32)

Maxon cautions that to prevent tripping and falling, the retention ramp must be in ramp position before walking on and off the outboard end of the platform (p. 32).

Operating the Retention Ramp

To release:

• Unhook the ramp
• Pull toward the outboard end

(p. 33)

The manual cautions to stay clear of the retention ramp path while moving it (p. 34).

When loading at bed level, the retention ramp must be in retention position (p. 35). During unloading at ground level, the ramp must be returned to ramp position before moving carts off the platform (p. 36).

When stowing, hook the retention ramp to the catches on the flipover (p. 37).

Roadside Operation Advisory

Operating the liftgate near traffic increases the chance of injury and damage (p. 13). Maxon recommends placing at least two traffic cones on the traffic side of the platform loading area to increase visibility (p. 13). Cones should be removed after the platform is stowed and before moving the vehicle (p. 13).

Forklift Advisory

The manual explicitly states: “Keep forklift OFF of platform.” (p. 12). Driving a forklift onto the platform is prohibited (p. 5, p. 12).

Proper Stow Procedure

Before moving the vehicle:

• Remove load from platform
• If at bed height, lower platform to ground

(Maxon-GPTLR-Operation-Manual-rev-B-2023.pdf, p. 20)

Maxon warns:

“Never move the vehicle unless the Liftgate is properly stowed.” (p. 20)

Raise 2 Inches

Push the toggle switch UP to raise the platform approximately 2 inches above ground to prepare for folding (p. 20).

Fold Flipover

Fold the flipover onto the platform. Keep hands clear of the platform support while folding (p. 21). Ensure the flipover is latched securely after folding (p. 22).

Fold Platform

For standard extension plate:

• Fold platform on opener (p. 22)

If equipped with roller:

• Fold against roller
• Push toggle switch DOWN to lower platform onto opener (p. 23)

Final Stow

Raise the platform to the fully stowed position by pushing the toggle switch UP. Wait one second after it reaches full stow before releasing the switch (p. 24).

Maxon states: “Stow Liftgate under hydraulic pressure.” (p. 24)

Only after completing these steps is the liftgate ready for transport (p. 24).

Conclusion

Proper Maxon GPTLR operation requires strict adherence to the Operation Manual Rev. B (December 2023). Operators must lower fully before loading, push loads out rather than pull, position weight toward the inboard edge, correctly operate cart stops or retention ramp if equipped, and stow the liftgate completely under hydraulic pressure before moving the vehicle.

The Maxon GPTLR is a high-capacity tuck-under liftgate designed for controlled loading when operated according to manufacturer instructions. For help identifying the correct configuration, parts, or a tuck under liftgate for sale, contact our Team at LiftGateMe for assistance.