There are applications where trucks arriving at the loading dock have pallets that are positioned right at the very back of the truck bed. Pallets that are positioned right at the very back of the truck bed don’t leave enough room for the dock leveler lip assembly to be extended and positioned on the truck bed floor for unloading.
If the truck bed is level or above the finished floor level the dock attendant drives the lift truck onto the closed/stored dock leveler platform and reaches across the gap to remove the first row of pallets that are positioned right at the very rear of the truck.
Removing the first row of pallets now makes room for the extended dock leveler lip allowing the dock leveler to be cycled; the deck assembly raises, the hinged lip extends, the dock attendant lowers the deck assembly with the lip extended, when the hinged lip rests flat on the bed of the truck the unloading now safely resumes.
However if the truck bed is below the finished floor level with pallets positioned right at the very back of the truck bed he optional below level control is utilized.
The dock attendant first raises the dock leveler deck assembly approximately 6” above the finished floor level. The dock attendant then reaches down and pulls up on the optional deck installed below level control lever. Pulling up on the below level control lever “swings” the hinged lip assembly forward approximately 2”-3”, the tip of the hinged lip assembly now clears the dock leveler lower frame.
The dock attendant then walks the deck down to the fully below level position with the hinged lip positioned vertically outside the lower front frame. The lift truck now drives onto the lowered dock leveler deck assembly reaches across the gap with the lift truck forks and removes the first row of pallets from the back of the truck bed.
When the first row of pallets is removed from the back of the truck bed the dock leveler is then cycled. With the dock leveler cycled the hinged lip assembly is now positioned level on the floor of the truck bed and the remainder of the truck is unloaded.
For additional information on any Pentalift product please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.