To decide between a dock lift and a dock leveler you must first look at the application. Applications that do not have a conventional 48” high dock area would require ground level loading. Dock lifts are the best way to handle ground level loading applications. Dock levelers are best suited for applications that do have a fixed 48” dock height and are best for applications that require frequent use. Both pieces of equipment are safe and offer efficient ways of loading or unloading items from... Read More
In some loading dock areas floor space is at a premium, in an application like this it is common to install the dock leveler just outside the overhead door in a free standing frame. If there is an existing facility that requires an additional loading dock it is common to research what services (gas, electricity, water, drain etc.) are below the existing poured concrete floor. If there are no services under the slab a pit is constructed, if there is services below the poured concrete floor it is ... Read More
Although manual pallet trucks or power driven pallet trucks are the most common pieces of material handling equipment used on a dock lift some applications call for the use of a lift truck. If using a lift truck on a dock lift there is one very important option to consider. With the dock lift in the lowered closed position the operator drives the lift truck onto the dock lift platform. As soon as the up button is operated an optional automatic hinged hydraulic roll off stop on the dock lift is a... Read More
The majority of all loading dock positions service varying heights of incoming trucks, it is important to have a dock leveler service trucks higher than finished floor level. The hinged lip assembly when fully extended is not level (not the same trajectory) with the dock leveler deck assembly, by design it is slightly tapered downward. If the lip did not have this tapered downward (crown) feature when a truck is in position that is higher than the floor level the tip of the lip would project upw... Read More
Although there are many combinations available there are 2 very common interlocks specified. 1. Interlocking a vehicle restraint to a hydraulic or air powered dock leveler. This interlock is safety related, the dock leveler will not operate until the truck in position has been secured by the vehicle restraint. The truck secured signal from the vehicle restraint now renders the dock leveler controls operational. 2. Interlocking the overhead door to a hydraulic or air powered dock leveler. This in... Read More
Loading dock bumpers are designed to stop an incoming truck and prevent damage to the building. When the truck is in position and the loading begins it is common for the truck bed to raise and lower due to the weight change. The back of the truck is tight to the face of the dock bumper; this up and down movement causes abrasion to the face of the dock bumper and puts stress on the dock bumper anchor bolts. A laminated dock bumper with a steel face absorbs the energy from the truck as it is backe... Read More
The two main areas to investigate are dock leveler weather seals and overhead door dock seals. Many dock leveler installations have conventional weather seal installed at the top of the deck side plates. This weather seal provides the best seal with the dock leveler in the closed stored position. When the dock leveler is on the truck bed and the truck bed is higher than finished floor, this sealing effect is lost. A number of dock leveler manufacturers offer a secondary wedge seal design to seal... Read More
A vast amount of problems that occur in the field to dock equipment is because of improper installation. Different brands of dock levelers have different instructions and different methods of installation that vary from company to company. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a safe and successful installation to help minimize problems in the field.
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.... Read More
The hot dip galvanizing process has a number of factors to consider. Extended delivery-the equipment is first built, tested dismantled and shipped in sub-assemblies to the galvanizer. After the hot dip galvanizing process is completed the equipment is returned and re-assembled, there is often some element of rework such as re-threading tapped holes etc. Distortion-the sub-assemblies consist of many different steel materials and thicknesses. The hot dip process and the cooling stages often distor... Read More
Hot dip galvanizing is significantly more costly on the front end than a spray galvanized or a painted equipment finish. The increased costs can be associated with the extra handling during the manufacturing process, the shipping costs of the sub-assemblies to and from the galvanizer’s facility and any rework required before final assembly. In some applications hot dip galvanized equipment (although initially more costly) is not considered expensive in relation to the extended structural lifet... Read More