Air Pallets use air casters or air bearings in multiples to allow one person to move a heavy load across a distance safely and efficiently using a platform floating on a cushion of air. Airfloat offers a wide variety of standard and custom-designed air bearing platforms to move pallets or any large heavy load. Four air bearings support each platform in a nearly friction-free manner. Using plant air, a few pounds of force is all that is required to move a heavy load in any direction.
U-Platform Air Pallet
Series "U" Air Platforms are low-profile, general purpose, type platforms sized for loads weighing up to 12,000 lbs. They are equipped with four air bearings connected by internal pneumatic plumbing to an on/off valve. Accessories include an operator handle, guide wheel, and a deadman-type control valve. They are typically used for easy manual movement of container and pallet-sized loads at workstations not having lift truck access or for omni-directional positioning of loads for machine loading and assembly operations. See how a U-platform transports of large paper rolls.
Contact Airfloat to put 40 years of material handling experience to work in your operation.
L-Platform and XL-Platform Air Pallets
Series "L" and Series "XL" Air Platforms are heavy-duty, welded steel structures designed for carrying large loads up to 150,000 lbs. These highly mobile air bearing equipped platforms are efficient for use in assembly lines, crane bay transfer, and random movement of any heavy load. Typical industries are machine tool, transformer, construction equipment, and aerospace. These platforms can be equipped with powered drives, guide wheels, and pendant controls.
Custom Platforms Available
omni-directional movement
completely custom-designed
cushioned, near frictionless movement
low profile, low floor pressure
extremely high load capacity
spark-free operation
Custom air platforms are useful in assembly lines, bay transfer, and omni-directional movement. Use them to move machine tools, transformers, construction equipment, or any other large loads.
Tire Platform & Transporter
Tire Transporter Case Study
Application:
A major construction equipment manufacturer required equipment that would eliminate one person from a tire mounting workstation on their assemby line.
Solution:
The tire transporter system consists of an air bearing platform mounted under a tire handling fixture platform. The air bearings allow virtually friction-free, omni-directional movement of heavy loads by manual movement of optional air-motor-powered steerable drive (0-180 degree rotation). The operator loads the tire on the platform with an overhead crane or fork truck and activates a clamping fixture. The clamping fixture is a fail-safe design that allows for positive tire holding in case of a loss of air pressure to the tire transporter.
Benefits:
Handling fixture can be raised or lowered (0 – 6”) to adjust to a proper axle alignment.
A pneumatic scissors lift keeps fixture properly positioned during lifting; the operator then can move the tire onto an axle.
Free access from back side allows for good visibility and clearance to mount tire onto axle.
All controls are pneumatic rocker switches and located on back of U-handle.
All controls and valves are easily accessible from back side.
System air requirements are (60 PSI @ 75 CFM).
Transporter can be easily lifted onto truck by crane or fork for movement to new location
Air Bearing Platforms Video
Click on the arrow button in the middle of the player below to watch a short video demonstrating a U-Platform Air Pallet.
U-Platform Air Pallet 
Series "L" and Series "XL" Air Platforms 
Application: