MARLEX Engineering Inc.

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Presense-Sensing Safety step mounted on garbage truckClose-up view of Presense Sensing safety step on a garbage truck showing detection zone

Presence-Sensing Step

The MARLEX ultrasonic obstacle detection technology has proven itself in the harshest of automotive environments. This same technology has been adapted to other applications for automatically enabling or disabling (lock-out) of equipment when the presence of an object or person is detected. MARLEX Engineering Inc. has developed several versions of single and dual presence-sensing steps that are currently employed to disable the packer forward motion on side loading garbage trucks (view the specifications for our PSS-24 Presence-Sensing Step[PDF]). We are continuously customizing our technology for use in new and unique applications.

Information on obtaining Presence-Sensing Steps

PSS-24 Presence-Sensing Step, CAD model

Presence-Sensing Steps - Features

  • Increased Safety – minimizes the potential for serious injury to operators by halting movement of the packer unit while a person is using the step.
  • Automatically Shuts off Packer – sensors scan the step 50 times a second so when a person is detected the packer unit is immediately shut down.
  • Plug-and-Play Installation – electronics interface to the vehicle’s existing connectors so no soldering or permanent wiring modifications are required on the vehicle.
  • Status Indicators – three LEDs provide visual indication of the step’s operation and status.
  • Self-Diagnosis – continually performs self-tests and warns if the step is not operating properly.
  • Wide Operating Temperature Range – from -40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F).
  • Rugged Design – allows the step to function in and withstand the harshest of environments.
    • heavy-duty metal step
    • recessed and fully encapsulated sensors
    • recessed and fully encapsulated controller
    • weatherproof connectors
  • Maintenance-Free Operation – simply attach the step to the vehicle and it is cleaned whenever the vehicle is cleaned.
  • Wide Operating Voltage Range – operation from 10V to 14.5V DC means the step can be installed on all vehicles with a 12V electrical system.
  • Operates with the Labrie Expert 2000 Packer Control Module.
PSS-24 Presence-Sensing Step, CAD model

Obtaining Presence-Sensing Steps

The Presence-Sensing Step is available through the following companies or by getting in touch with us directly (see our contact information):

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