Having high-quality, dependable dock equipment is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is safety. Eastern Lift Truck Co.’s Dock & Door Division sells all different types of dock equipment, including a variety of dock levelers and restraint systems, and provides the routine maintenance and emergency repair service needed to keep your employees safe and loading dock running smoothly.
Today it is common for new warehouses to be built with dozens or even hundreds of loading docks. Even the smallest, older commercial buildings have at least one or two docks. Regardless of building size or number of dock positions, savvy companies understand that installing high-quality dependable dock equipment provides an excellent return on investment by facilitating a consistent flow of products, in and out of their facility, and more importantly, by helping prevent costly accidents involving people and property.
Two major components of a loading dock are the dock leveler and the truck restraint system. Both require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure the safety of forklift operators who travel across the leveler to enter and exit trucks and trailers.
Dock Levelers
Dock levelers connect the loading dock to visiting trailers and other over-the-road vehicles. They must handle high capacities (think 50,000 to 80,000 pounds!), heavy usage, and are usually subject to dirt, debris, and changing temperatures and weather conditions.
Dock levelers are available in three main types: pit, edge-of-dock, and top-of-dock.
Pit levelers, by far, are the most popular type of leveler. They may be controlled by hydraulics, air (pneumatic) or mechanically. Pit levelers usually include solid-state proximity sensors and helpful functions such as an automatic “return to safe cross traffic” position, when a truck departs. They also have a heavy-duty main cylinder and safety stop to guard against free-fall in the event of premature truck departure.
Edge-of-dock levelers are available in mechanical, barlift, and hydraulic operation, with an operating range of five inches above and five inches below the dock. For comparison, pit levelers have a standard operating range of twelve inches above and twelve inches below the dock, with customization available.
Top-of-dock levelers are hydraulically operated and may raise the effective height of a dock by as much as twelve inches.
Vehicle restraint systems are paired with dock levelers to provide another layer of safety and security, providing forklift operators confidence and physical evidence the trailer they are about to drive into is securely attached to the loading dock.
Truck Restraint Systems
Truck restraint systems are separated into two types: non-impact restraints and rear-impact hook restraint.
A non-impact restraint system may be operated manually or automatically and is designed to secure virtually all trailers to the loading dock with 30,000 to 50,000 pounds of restraining force.
Rear-impact hook restraint systems use a large rotating hook to secure a trailer’s rear impact guard (R.I.G.) thus preventing unscheduled departure, trailer creep, and tip overs. They have a similar restraining force as the non-impact restraints and a mounting force in excess of 100,000 lbs. The system indicates a “fully captured” R.I.G. by changing inside and outside lights, a design that provides redundant positive hook feedback.
Thanks for reading. We hope this basic information was helpful. The Eastern Lift Truck Co. Dock & Door team is always available to answer your more detailed and specific questions regarding our loading dock products and services. Use this link to contact us and start the conversation.
We work with a number of excellent dock equipment manufacturers. In addition to dock levelers and truck restraints, we also offer dock seals, dock shelters, dock bumpers, bollards, guarding equipment, and a complete range of overhead and man doors including high-speed doors and fire-rated doors.
Have a safe day!
