Hydraulic conversion kits are used to convert a structurally sound, mechanically activated dock leveler to full hydraulic operation. If a mechanical dock leveler is to be replaced due to operational problems, there are two approaches that can be investigated. One is to completely remove the existing dock leveler and replace with a hydraulic dock leveler. However if the original dock leveler deck assembly, lip assembly, hinge pins and spools are structurally sound, then a hydraulic conversion kit... Read More
Interlocking dock equipment is becoming more common than ever. Interlocking the equipment improves safety at the loading dock area and also reduces potential for loading dock area equipment damage. First let’s identify some of the equipment that is commonly interlocked...usually equipment such as hydraulic dock levelers, vehicle restraints, overhead doors and inflatable dock seals. For example if the hydraulic dock leveler is interlocked to the overhead door, the door must be open before the d... Read More
The Edge of Docks, commonly referred to as EOD’s, are offered both in a mechanically operated version, the EDML, and in a hydraulically operated version, the EHD. The EDML mechanical version is supplied with an actuating bar that the dock attendant uses to raise and position the EOD on the truck bed for loading to begin. There are loading dock applications that have a specific requirement for equipment that is physically easy for the operator to use, in this case a hydraulic version is availab... Read More
Edge of Docks, or EODs, will not work at all shipping doors but they do work very well in the right application. Most loading dock heights are in the range of 46” to 50” with 48” being most common.
The EOD extends approximately 27” from the building wall when it is in position on the truck with the hinged lip extended. Because of the relatively short deck length the EOD will not work with trucks that are any more than 4”-5” above or below dock height because the ramp is too steep.... Read More
There are two common methods to install an Edge of Dock (EOD) to the front of the building's foundation wall. At many loading dock areas it is quite common for a steel angle iron or a steel channel to be cast directly into the concrete at floor height. If the steel plate is there, then the EOD is welded directly to the steel plate. If there is no embedded steel angle, then the EOD is bolted directly to the front of the foundation at the shipping door. Once the EOD is in place, then the dock bump... Read More
Most dock heights are in the range of 46” to 50”, with 48” being the most common. An Edge of Dock, commonly referred to as an EOD, is an economical alternative to a portable aluminum dock plate. Pentalift offers both a hydraulic version and a mechanical version.
The EOD acts as a ramp between the truck bed and the building floor when the truck is being loaded or unloaded. EOD’s are a cost effective way to move a pallet truck, 2 wheel cart etc. from the building floor to the truck. In ... Read More
Why do most loading dock equipment manufacturers offer both a pit model and a surface model of dock lifts? The majority of dock lifts are manufactured to suit a recessed pit installation. In some applications the site is unable to accommodate a recessed pit, perhaps due underground services and the difficulty and/or expense associated with rerouting them. In this application, temporary applications, or perhaps just for flexibility in the future, a surface installed dock lift equipped with an app... Read More
What does dock leveler deck cant mean? Deck cant means that the dock leveler platform can tilt or flex up to 4” per side. If the truck and dock leveler are both level then the deck cant feature is not required. However if the incoming truck is up to 4” higher on one side than the other, this could be caused by an uneven approach, snow/ice build-up on one side of the drive etc. then the deck cant becomes a very important feature. As the dock leveler is cycled the platform lowers to the truck ... Read More
Vehicle restraints were first introduced to increase safety at the loading dock approximately 35 years ago. The most common safety device has always been the wheel chock for the truck. Wheel chocks are like a wedge, and once the truck is backed into position, the chocks are manually positioned in front of the back wheels to the stop the truck from rolling forward while it is being loaded. Often these chocks go missing, or can can slip on the snow and ice during winter weather. Since they are usu... Read More
Dock levelers are basically an adjustable ramp or bridge designed to drive the lift truck across from the building onto the truck. Incoming trucks are not all the same height; some may be level with the building floor, some above floor height, and some below floor height. If the incoming trucks are always level with the building floor height a 6’ long dock leveler will work just fine. If the trucks are 4”-8” above or below dock height, then an 8’ long dock leveler works much better becau... Read More