Dock Leveler & Commercial Equipment FAQ

Short Answer: bridge the gap between the loading dock of a building and a truck for loading and unloading.

A loading dock is typically an elevated opening (or openings) in a building’s sidewall where shipments are sorted and staged for loading and unloading of trailers, shipping containers or rail cars.

To bridge the gap you would have to consider several factors, most importantly: dock height, truck height, load weight (including forklift or carrier). Additional factors include: approach level of driveway (decline or incline), type material and industry you are in, frequency of use and cost considerations.

In general, a longer board will provide greater service range for higher and lower trucks. A mechanical dock leveler has a lower cost upfront but requires more maintenance/repair, a power dock leveler (hydraulic, air bag) has a higher upfront cost with lower maintenance cost/repair.

Short Answer: Call DOCKS.N.DOORS and we will ensure to install the best dock leverler to match your needs.

The first consideration is the dock height and the truck height; normal dock height is 48”from the ground and regular trucks range from 36”- 48” for a straight truck to 48” - 60” to a container & flatbed trucks. A regular size pit leveler have a service range of +12”/-12” from dock height; an edge of dock (EOD) has a service range of around +6”/-6”.

When it comes to cost considerations, an EOD (Edge of dock) does not require digging and forming the pit and is less expensive, with the shorter service range. When it comes to pit levelers, a mechanical dock leveler has a lower cost upfront but requires more maintenance/repair, a power dock leveler (hydraulic, air bag) has a higher upfront cost with lower maintenance cost/repair.

Load capacity is another important consideration, this includes the net weight of your load plus the weight of the forklift of pallet jack. Rule of thumb take the combined weight of your forklift and load and multiply by 2.55.

Short Answer: add the combined weight of your forklift and load and multiply by 2.55.

This gives you a safe range and account for momentum of the forklift in and out of the truck. For example a 12,000lb forklift plus 3,500lb load times 2.55 equals 39,525.Round up to 40,000.

Short Answer: Yes!

A very important part of the loading dock equipment to ensure the safety of both workers and load is the truck restraint.

The basics: a truck restraint is a piece of equipment installed at the loading dock. It’s intended to help a transport vehicle from intentionally or unintentionally leaving during the loading/unloading process. Things like trailer creep or trailer up-ending. This function alone helps to prevent potentially fatal accidents to personnel on forklifts, pallet jacks or those simply walking in and out of the trailer. It also helps as this visual deterrent to cargo theft.

Although you may choose the more budget-friendly wheel chock, a wall or ground-mounted vehicle restraint can help to securely keep a trailer and its cargo at the loading dock. Additionally, many vehicle restraints incorporate a red and green light system, along with signage to improve communication between dock workers and truck drivers.

Short Answer: Depends if you are looking to seal it or cover it 

When it comes to weather protection a variety of devices are used to protect workers and loads from rain, snow, ice, heat and humidity. Aside from the overhead door, it includes a dock seal or a dock shelter

A dock seal or weather seal is a rubber or canvas covered pad or drape that extends a few inches out from a dock face to seal the gap between the dock and the trailer’s entrance. The sealing of this gap improves energy consumption as there is limited air transfer between the inside and outside of the building.The most common opening width for a loading dock is 8’. Most of the trucks are 8’ wide with a limited number 8’6”. A seal to properly function has to have a face opening of 7’6”. The side pads have a wedge geometry to properly seal the gap.

A dock shelter is a cover that can be extended to protect the opening between the door of a rail car or truck and a warehouse from inclement weather. Think of it as a canopy with side curtains projecting out from the building. If your door is 10” wide or more, a dock shelter is the way to go

Short Answer: Loading and/or unloading

Short Answer:Majority of commercial industries that ship or receive products