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If you’re working in a loading bay, you’re going to see the passage of countless goods and equipment daily. These goods can take many forms, such as valuable furniture, industrial machinery, heavy pallets of retail items and so much more. In short, these items need to be loaded in and out of the dock safely. Trying to manage the lifting and moving of these items can result in injuries and damge if the proper loading bay equipment isn’t in place. That’s where dock levellers come in.
This piece explores the application of dock levellers, expanding on what they do and some of the different formats that they can come in for different loading bays.
What is a dock leveller?
Dock levellers are designed to bridge the height and distance gaps between warehouse/loading bay floors and the vehicles carrying the loads. This allows the load to be transferred from the vehicle to the dock in one swift motion, reducing handling time and ensuring safety – which is vital as 25% of all warehouse injuries occur at the loading dock.
Picture this: A van shows up with a huge L-shaped sofa that needs to be brought into your warehouse. The issue is that there’s a significant height and distance gap between the van and the bay, meaning carrying the sofa becomes a kerfuffle, with multiple people handling a heavy load over a treacherous space. A good dock plate leveller makes this process a lot smoother and easier for everyone, saving time and reducing the risks.
How dock levellers work
Dock levellers generally work with a lifting mechanism and some sort of lip, with the former lifting the latter to bridge the gap between the vehicle and dock leveller pit. The best levellers need to meet the EN1398 standard, ensuring they’re fully safe to use.
The right provider should be able to offer you:
- Made-to-measure options to suit your workplace
- Optional finishes (painted, galvanised, stainless steel) for weather requirements
- Specific colours to suit your branding
- Lip operation options (more on that now)
All of this should be supported by high-quality materials like sturdy stainless steel, along with reinforced anti-twist platforms to compensate for lorry tilting.
Dock leveller options
Telescopic-lip dock levellers
These dock levellers are the largest options, used to bridge significant gaps between warehouses and vehicles. The platform and lip are mechanically driven by hydraulics to extend for heavier loads delivered further away.
Swing lip levellers
Swing model levellers are the all-around option for all sorts of loading bays, found across countless of the UK’s 400,000+ warehouses. These models use hydraulic tilting mechanisms and folding lips to bridge gaps, allowing the lorry to rest firmly on the trailer deck.
Manual edge-of-dock levellers
These are the perfect solution for the smallest gaps, offering a manual option for bridging the distance without the need for a proper pit installation. They may be small and simple but they pack a punch, with many manual levellers capable of supporting up to 6000kg loads.
Finding the right levellers
If your loading bay needs a leveller, it’s best to seek out a well-known business with a history of serving 1000s of businesses all over the world in a range of different industries. Also, it’s important to choose a supplier that’s versed in dock leveller repairs and services, offering full installations and plenty of customisation options. With the right guidance and expertise, you’ll be able to improve your bay’s efficiency and safety in no time.
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