During building construction the Contractor pre forms and pours individual 3 sided dock leveler pits that are recessed flush into the buildings floor at the loading dock area. The pits are formed and poured by the Contractor to suit the pit dimensions provided by the selected dock leveler manufacturer.
The dock leveler pit has steel angle iron imbedded into the concrete flush with the buildings floor on the top 3 sides of the pit. After the concrete has been poured the pit forms are stripped ... Read More
Designed to minimize energy loss at the loading dock area dock leveler weather seal is one of the most common loading dock equipment options ordered.
During building construction the dock leveler pit is designed to provide 1” of clearance between both sides of the dock leveler deck assembly and the pit side wall. This 1” clearance is an industry standard that allows for any minor lateral movement of the dock leveler deck assembly during the operating cycle.
With the dock leveler in the... Read More
The majority of lift tables are manufactured to be in service for up to 8 cycles per hour, 8 hours per day, and 5 days per week. Any lift table application that calls for repetitive operating cycles greater than outlined should consider incorporating an optional high cycle design feature.
As standard all lift table scissor leg pivot points are equipped with lubricated for life bushings. In an optional high cycle package these standard bushings are replaced with greasable spherical bearings fo... Read More
When considering a lift table application it is important to ask a number of questions to ensure that the lift table meets with the needs and requirements of the application.
In order to recommend a suitable solution, it is important that the manufacturer /provider of the lift table fully understands the application and the purpose of the lift table.
Listed below are a number of the primary questions to be asked.
1. What is the maximum height the product is to be raised or from what hei... Read More
A customer that specializes in aluminum castings contacted Pentalift with a custom design request for a combination lift table(s) with a sliding deck assembly to be used during maintenance on their aluminum casting tables.
The lift tables are installed in a stationary position and the customer’s aluminum casting tables are installed on adjacent rollaway carriages. During maintenance the casting tables are moved into position on the rollaway carriages until they are within close proximity of... Read More
The majority of loading docks that are equipped with dock seals have a level approach. Compression style dock seals perform best with 4” - 6” of foam compression with the truck backed into position tight to the face of the dock bumpers. With less compression the seal is not as effective. With over compression the seal may be damaged.
With a declining loading dock approach the truck backs down a ramp towards the loading dock therefore the dock seals must be designed to accommodate for this... Read More
In the majority of applications the incoming trucks back into position level at a 4’ elevated loading dock area. The 4’ elevated loading dock area is achieved through a combination of building design and site grading during the building construction.
There are some sites that initially have grade level loading only. Converting a site with grade level loading to a site with a 4’ high loading dock involves site excavation and grading. Starting at floor level the Contractor excavates down ... Read More
As standard hydraulic dock levelers are provided with a wall mounted up button, often referred to as a jog start. Dock levelers that include additional operating features or dock levelers that are interlocked with other equipment are provided with a wall mounted control panel.
The dock leveler wall mount control panel is sized depending upon the number of operating features specified. The additional operating features can include dock leveler auto return and deck stop.
It is most common f... Read More
To understand dock leveler end loading first we should review the standard dock leveler unloading sequence of operations.
With a truck backed into position at the loading dock the overhead door is opened, the truck door is opened and the dock attendant cycles the dock leveler. The dock leveler deck assembly raises from the stored/closed position, when the deck assembly is fully raised the hinged lip assembly extends.
The dock attendant then lowers the deck assembly with the hinged lip ext... Read More
It is very common for lift tables to be installed into a recessed pit with the top of the lift table platform flush with the floor. This type of installation provides floor level platform access for wheeled equipment such as a pallet truck, cart etc.
As standard most lift tables are provided with straight (vertical) toe guards on the platform. However if the operator’s foot is on the floor but projected over the side or the end of the pit introduces a potential pinch / shear point as the un... Read More