That is a very good question that does not have one simple answer.
The site and the application are often factors in selecting the most appropriate type of dock levelers for your use. All things being equal, think of the “good, better, best” comparison.
With that criteria, Mechanical Dock Levelers rate as good. Air Powered Dock Levelers rate as better and Hydraulic Dock Levelers rate as best. The application will be very important in assisting you with making the correct selection.
LODEM is a product council within MHIA (Material Handling Institute of America). In a document they created which can be found on their website under the sub section, ” What You Always Wanted to Know-Dock Levelers”, states: “The hydraulic option gives you more versatility than either Mechanical or Air Dock Levelers and typically would have lower service and maintenance cost.”
Contact a Pentalift Sales Representative for more information.