APRIL 14, 2025

Preventative Maintenance for Maxon TE-Series Liftgates

Keeping your Maxon TE liftgate in peak working condition isn’t just about performance—it’s about safety, reliability, and avoiding costly downtime. Whether you’re running a TE-20, TE-25, TE-30, or TE-33 model, Maxon outlines specific service intervals to help fleet operators stay ahead of wear and tear. This maintenance checklist distills those factory-recommended steps into one clear guide, based directly on Maxon’s official manuals, so you can confidently schedule inspections and service with zero guesswork.

This article summarizes those recommendations into a practical checklist, based entirely on Maxon’s official documentation.

• Maxon’s Documentation Resources
• Maintenance Intervals Defined
• Quarterly / 1,250-Cycle Maintenance Checklist
• Platform Condition and Structural Integrity Inspection
• Torsion Spring Inspection and Replacement Readiness
• Semi-Annual / 2,500-Cycle Maintenance Checklist
• Fluid Recommendations
• Cautions During Service
• Grease Points Diagram
• Conclusion

Maxon’s Documentation Resources

Information in this article is sourced from Maxon’s manuals and technical guides. Always refer to your specific liftgate’s manuals for complete procedures and serial number, model, and year-specific details.

Reference PDFs used:

• TE-20 M-16-35D
• TE-33 M-17-12C

Maintenance Intervals Defined

There are two key preventive maintenance intervals defined for the tuck under lift gate TE series by Maxon:

• Quarterly or every 1,250 cycles (whichever comes first)
• Semi-annually or every 2,500 cycles (whichever comes first)

These intervals apply to the TE-20 (M-16-35 Rev D) and TE-33 (M-17-12 Rev C) manuals and are designed to catch early wear or damage before it becomes a costly issue.

Quarterly / 1,250-Cycle Maintenance Checklist

Perform the following checks every 1,250 cycles or each quarter:

• Hydraulic Fluid Level: Check the reservoir fluid level with the platform at bed height. Top off if necessary using ISO 32 or ISO 15 fluid based on ambient temperature.
• Decals: Ensure all warning and instructional decals are present, clean, and legible.
• Bolts, Nuts, and Roll Pins: Verify all fasteners are present and secure. Roll pins should protrude evenly from both sides of the hinge collar.
• Platform Hinge Pins: Check for excessive wear or broken welds.
• Hydraulic Hoses and Fittings: Inspect for signs of chafing, cracks, or leaks. Tighten or replace as needed.
• Electrical Wiring: Look for damaged insulation or loose connections. Apply dielectric grease to protect terminals from corrosion.
• Rust or Oil: Clean off any rust or oily surfaces. For galvanized finishes, Maxon recommends cold galvanizing spray to restore protection.
• Grease Fittings: Lubricate all grease points on the lift cylinders and arms until grease oozes from the bearing ends. Wipe off excess.

Platform Condition and Structural Integrity Inspection

Both the TE-20 and TE-33 manuals by Maxon Liftgate include detailed guidance on inspecting the condition of the platform and flipover sections. These checks should be included as part of regular maintenance:

• Inspect for Cracks, Holes, or Bends: Examine the load-carrying surfaces of both the platform and the flipover for any cracks, holes, or significant bends. (TE-20 M-16-35D p.9)
• Check Torsion Bars and Coil Springs: Make sure torsion springs and any coil springs, if equipped, are in place and undamaged.
• Fastener Condition: Confirm all fasteners on the platform and flipover are present, secure, and not showing signs of damage or corrosion.
• Cleanliness: Ensure that all surfaces are clean and free from oil, debris, or corrosion to maintain traction and visibility of damage.

If any of these issues are found, the liftgate should not be used until the problems are resolved by a qualified mechanic.

Torsion Spring Inspection and Replacement Readiness

Torsion springs are key components in the liftgate’s platform folding system. Maxon includes a service procedure for torsion spring replacement, which also serves as a guide for inspection:

• Visual Inspection: Look for any deformation, cracking, or corrosion on the torsion spring. Ensure the long and short legs of the spring are correctly positioned and retained within their mounting points. (TE-20 M-16-35D p.21; TE-33 M-17-12C p.18)
• No Tension During Disassembly: If replacement is needed, make sure there is no tension on the torsion spring before removing the hinge pin to prevent injury. (Warning shown in both manuals)
• Roll Pin and Hinge Pin: Inspect the roll pin that retains the hinge pin to ensure it protrudes evenly and is not damaged. These parts should be replaced if worn.
• Correct Bracket Hole: For the TE-33, verify that the torsion spring is installed in the correct bracket hole depending on whether the platform is steel or aluminum. Maxon provides a selection chart for this. (TE-33 M-17-12C p.19)

Routine inspections of the torsion spring can help prevent operational issues with the flipover section and reduce the chance of in-service failures. Using genuine Maxon liftgate parts during replacements helps maintain safety standards and ensures compatibility with TE-Series models.

Semi-Annual / 2,500-Cycle Maintenance Checklist

At this longer interval, repeat the full quarterly checklist plus the following:

• Repeat Hinge Pin and Platform Checks: Check again for cracks or wear that may have developed.
• Confirm Maintenance Compliance: Ensure all checks from the 1,250-cycle list have been performed again.

Fluid Recommendations

• ISO 32 hydraulic oil is recommended for climates between +50°F to +120°F.
• ISO 15 or MIL-H-5606 is recommended for climates below +70°F.

Approved brands include:

• Mobil DTE 10 Excel 32
• Chevron AV MV32 / HIPERSYN 32

(Source: TE-20 M-16-35D p.14, TE-33 M-17-12C p.15)

Cautions During Service

• Always park the vehicle on level ground before beginning maintenance.
• Never paint or coat the polished section of hydraulic cylinder rods — this can damage seals and contaminate the hydraulic system.
• Disconnect the battery before performing electrical maintenance.
• Protect exposed lines and components from contaminants while servicing.

Grease Points Diagram

Maxon provides lubrication diagrams in its manuals. The grease fittings are located on:

• Left and right lift arms
• Left and right parallel arms
• Left and right hydraulic cylinders

Make sure each point is greased until clean grease escapes the bearing area. (TE-20 M-16-35D p.12, TE-33 M-17-12C p.13)

Conclusion

Maxon’s TE-Series liftgates are built for reliable, heavy-duty service, but they depend on routine inspections to stay in optimal condition. By following the manufacturer’s 1,250- and 2,500-cycle checklists, fleet managers and technicians can prevent costly failures and extend the life of their equipment — all with procedures fully supported by official Maxon documentation.

We’re here for you if you need assistance and liftgate parts for your tuckaway liftgate by Maxon.