Loading ramps act as bridges between buildings or docks, and truckbeds. Loading ramps can be found in every industry and are used in a wide range of market places. They are engineered to make the loading and unloading of trucks as safe and expedient as possible. Some loading ramps are intended to be used specifically for rail cars, but the majority of them are manufactured for trucks and trailer beds. In certain instances, specialty loading dock equipment such as wheel risers and steel platforms may also need to maximize safety and process flow.
Dockboards
Dockboards are loading ramps that span the gap between the dock and the truck and make loading and unloading safe. They are designed to support power equipment such as fork trucks. Dockboards are built with curbs on the sides that prevent vehicle runoffs and provide additional structure and weight capacity. Because they must support vehicles as well as products and workers, most models are made from heavy duty steel, although Easy Rack does supply lightweight aluminum models when appropriate and requested. Capacities range from 6,000 to 40,000 lbs.
Aluminum Dock Plates
Plates made are manual loading ramps made from high grade diamond deck aluminum. They are somewhat similar in design to dock boards, but they are not to be confused with them. Dockplates are to be used only with manual loading on hand trucks or pallet jacks.
Edge of Dock Levelers
These loading ramps are used in high docks that constructed without pit mounted levelers. They are ideal for truck traffic, LTL, and fork truck traffic that is from 5” below dock level to 5” above dock level. A unique design features molded bumpers and a mechanical spring operation that takes heavy work out of the lifting and helps ensure that the unit is correctly positioned each time it is used.
Steel Yard Ramps
These loading ramps are used for loading trucks from the ground, either because there is no truck high dock present, or because there are more trucks than docks. Yard ramps are portable and can be towed with a forklift. A hydraulic pump allows the height of the yard ramp to be adjusted, and deep side members prevent forklift runoff.
Mini Ramps
These loading ramps offer an economical solution when the target height is ½ or less that of normal dock heights (generally 33” or less). Minis can be used with manual equipment and fork trucks. Capacities start at 12,000 lbs and range upward. The mini ramp can be shipped with an optional mobility package that allows the unit to be relocated without a hydraulic actuated undercarriage. Capacities start at 12,000 lbs with standard and custom sizes available.
Hook & Apron Walkramps
These aluminum loading ramps are designed for foot traffic, hand trucks, and pallet jacks moved by hand. Standard lengths run from 3 to 16 and two widths of 29 or 39 .
Steel Platform Portable Docks
Steel Platforms allow facilities to enlarge their dock areas incrementally by installing platforms one at a time or by ganging them together to create a significantly larger dock space for loading and unloading. Capacities begin at 16,000 lbs.
Wheel Risers
If the dock is too high for incoming trucks, unloading and loading the truck can be hazardous and time consuming. Wheel risers are small ramps that fit under truck wheels so the bed of the trailer can be positioned properly above dock for safer and faster loading.
Visit http://www.easyrack.org for more information on loading ramps and other material handling equipment.
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