Mass Equipment Solutions Inc.

Category: Design

  • Custom Leveling System for a Race Car Trailer

    Custom Leveling System for a Race Car Trailer

    Project Overview

    Mass Equipment Solutions was entrusted with designing, fabricating, and installing a custom equalization system for the rear tailgate of a specialized two-level race car trailer owned by Santos Motorsports, a premier drag racing team based in Ontario, Canada. This trailer is essential for transporting their high-performance dragster to races across the country, but its existing lift system presented operational challenges that needed an innovative solution.

    The Challenge

    The trailer’s unique design features a tailgate that doubles as a car lift, allowing seamless movement of the race car between the ground and the upper storage level. However, the tailgate relied on two independent hydraulic motors, each driving a screw mechanism within concealed vertical columns. Without a built-in synchronization system, one side of the tailgate often moved at a slightly different speed than the other. This imbalance required constant manual adjustments by the operator—an inconvenient and time-consuming process that also posed a risk to the vehicle, particularly after long race days when precision and safety were paramount.

    Engineering a Solution

    Our project commenced during an ongoing trailer upgrade by Santos Motorsports, which included rebuilding the tailgate using lightweight aluminum and addressing mechanical wear issues. Partnering with Prolift Solutions Inc., we reinforced critical mechanical components such as glide blocks and bearings, increasing load capacity and longevity.

    At the core of our solution was the development of a fully electronic control system equipped with a feedback loop to maintain tailgate level during operation. The goal: to transition from a manual adjustment process to a seamless, one-touch automated lift system.

    Key Enhancements:

    1. Custom Electronics Panel: Concealed behind the trailer’s interior walls, this panel acts as the central control unit, integrating various system components.
    2. Laser Distance Sensors: Two high-precision sensors were installed in the confined space between the hydraulic motors and the carriage. These sensors provide real-time positional data to ensure both sides of the lift move in perfect sync.
    3. Remote Touch Screen Panel: This interface offers real-time lift status updates and doubles as an emergency backup control system.
    4. Failsafe Wired Control: While the existing system included wireless and wired remote controls, the client requested the wired remote to serve as a failsafe in case of any system malfunctions. We integrated this requirement seamlessly into the wiring architecture.
    5. Smart Positioning Logic: The tailgate had to function in two distinct positions:
      • Fully Opened: To allow vehicle access to the upper deck without obstruction.
      • Fully Closed: Ensuring a snug fit within the cowling at the top of the trailer to prevent structural damage.
    6. Flush Platform Alignment: To facilitate a smooth transition between the tailgate and upper deck, our system continuously monitors distance measurements, guaranteeing perfect alignment at all times.

    Overcoming Space Constraints

    One of the biggest challenges was the limited space available for mounting sensors. We carefully selected compact, high-precision sensors capable of delivering accurate measurements over long distances, ensuring that our system functioned flawlessly despite spatial constraints.

    The Outcome

    With our custom leveling system in place, Santos Motorsports now benefits from a dramatically improved tailgate lift experience. The new system:

    • Eliminates manual adjustments, reducing operator workload and potential errors.
    • Enhances safety, protecting the race car from lift-related damage.
    • Streamlines post-race operations, allowing the team to focus on performance rather than troubleshooting lift inconsistencies.
    • Increases reliability and efficiency, making vehicle loading and unloading a seamless, one-touch operation.

    By combining cutting-edge electronics with precision engineering, we transformed a cumbersome, labor-intensive process into a reliable, high-tech solution tailored to the demands of professional motorsports. Santos Motorsports can now transport their race car with confidence, knowing their trailer’s tailgate lift is as fast and precise as the dragster it carries.

    Here are some images of the install

    Team from DK Automation wiring the new control Panel (left) to existing electrical components (right)
    Touch panel and E stop
    Laser distance sensor in column
  • Portable lift to relocate tire changers.

    Portable lift to relocate tire changers.

    Project Scope:

    • Conduct initial assessment and report on condition of existing 2 post and 3 post heavy duty inground vehicle lifts
    • Measure current fleet configurations
    • Inform client of currently available technology and best suited alternatives.
    • Prepare equipment replacement budget
    • Prepare Vehicle Hoist replacement specification (Section 14)
    • Provide support for Electrical, Mechanical and Structural Engineering contractors.

    moving equipment into tight locations with one person mpllift mpl1000 tirechanger mover
  • What is a Solutions provider?

    What is a Solutions provider?

    For our very first blog, we wanted to give you a quick introduction to who we are and what we do. Simply put, we are a hands-on engineering company that create solutions to improve safety and efficiency of equipment. We work with clients in the construction, manufacturing and service industries to manage and implement modifications to existing equipment or create innovative modern technology. We are skilled at integrating a variety of mechanical, electrical and software solutions into existing equipment to enhance functionality, improve safety, enhance mobility and add remote connectivity for monitoring or control also known as “connected devices” or the “Internet of things” (IoT).

    When would you call on us?

    If you have a safety or productivity concern related to lifting, movement or storage then we are the team to work with. Don’t assume that those issues will disappear on their own. A single injury could cause serious financial strain on your company and you must act diligently.

    Why choose us over others?

    Well for starters, we are seriously committed to making simple, safe, reliable and efficient equipment. Since most of us can’t bench press 200lbs, we put a lot of thought into developing ergonomic, light, easy to assemble solutions that carry their own weight efficiently during transport. We go to great lengths to understand how our equipment is used and strive to reduce or eliminate stress on the body when using our devices. We have extensive experience with hydraulic, pneumatic and portable electric lifting and motion systems and know when to employ these systems. We involve the assistance of occupational or physical therapists in the design of our equipment to further identify improvements in ergonomics and lifting mechanics.

    When Prolift Solutions Inc., a well known automotive lift service company, wanted to solve a nagging safety issue of moving lifts and raising heavy posts off their concrete anchors, they got us involved. With their input, we designed a purpose built portable 12v battery operated remote-controlled lifting machine that solved their problem and became much more. It’s light, portable, can fit into a small van like a Ford Transit, lift and move 1000lbs of equipment during service and installation. Over the next few blogs we will dive into the details of the development of this portable lift with extensive input from automotive equipment service technicians. Stay tuned.