Dock levelers are available from many manufacturers and are designed to suit either a preformed three-sided pit installation or a pour-in-place dock leveler installation. So, what’s the difference?
Preformed Pit Dock Leveler Installation
Pit model dock levelers are shipped to the construction site, off-loaded, and positioned into a preformed three-sided pit.
Preparing the pit requires a combination of costly on-site labor and materials. These materials typically include:
- Plywood required to form the three walls of the pit
- Steel angle iron attached to the top of the plywood forms at the finished floor level
- Wooden cross-bracing required for support during the final concrete floor pour
After the concrete has been poured, additional on-site labor is required to remove the plywood forms, clean the pit, and prepare it for the arrival of the dock leveler.
Once the dock leveler arrives on site and is off-loaded into the pit, qualified loading dock technicians are required to weld the dock leveler into position and complete the installation.
Pour-In-Place Dock Leveler Installation
This costly on-site labor and material requirement can be avoided by using pour-in-place dock levelers.
Pour-in-place dock levelers begin as a dock leveler manufactured for a preformed pit installation. Prior to leaving the factory, a four-sided steel enclosure is added to the dock leveler. This steel enclosure covers the two sides, the back, and the bottom of the dock leveler.
As a result, the dock leveler is shipped already installed within its own pit, minimizing on-site labor and material requirements.
Upon arrival at the construction site, the dock leveler is off-loaded and positioned on a concrete slab, shimmed to level, and lagged into position prior to the final concrete floor pour. When poured into position, the dock leveler becomes an integral part of the new facility.
Typical Pour-In-Place Dock Leveler Design
The following link shows a typical pour-in-place dock leveler design and installation steps:
https://www.pentalift.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Pour-In-Dock-leveler-Benefits-1-1.pdf
Cost Savings and Construction Benefits
Although the initial equipment cost of a pour-in-place dock leveler is slightly higher than a pit model dock leveler, the overall cost savings at the construction site are significant.
These savings are achieved by minimizing:
- On-site materials required to form the pit
- Labor to strip the pit
- Labor required to install the dock leveler
Pour-in-place dock levelers also eliminate the risk of preformed pits being poured to an incorrect length, width, or depth, which could otherwise result in costly on-site modifications.
Summary: Why Choose a Pour-In-Place Dock Leveler?
In summary, overall building costs are significantly reduced at the construction site by using pour-in-place dock levelers.
For additional information on any Pentalift dock leveler or loading dock equipment, please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.