A dock leveler is a vertically adjustable hinged ramp designed to provide a smooth transition for a lift truck or pallet truck from the building floor to the truck bed at the loading dock area. The vertical adjustment of the dock leveler allows it to accommodate varying truck bed heights. Dock levelers are most often installed in a recessed pit and are flush with the floor when in the closed, stored position.
The dock leveler platform is hinged at the back, when activated the dock leveler deck raises and a hinged lip extends at the front of the dock leveler. When the lip is fully extended the deck assembly lowers and the extended lip now rests on the bed of the truck. With the dock leveler in position the truck can be safely and efficiently loaded or unloaded. https://www.pentalift.com/PDF/DockLevelers.pdf#page=4
Dock levelers are available in a number of standard platform sizes, the most common platform size is 6’ wide, 8’ long with the lip fully extended. Dock levelers are available with mechanical, pneumatic or fully hydraulic operation, hydraulic dock levelers are considered to be the safest model available. Dock leveler capacity ratings range from 25,000 lb. to 100,000 lb. as standard however capacity ratings greater than 50,000 lb. are available in hydraulic models only. https://www.pentalift.com/
For 35+ years Pentalift has designed, engineered and manufactured high quality dock equipment to suit almost any loading dock area requirement. There are many factors to consider when selecting or specifying a dock leveler, Pentalift’s Loading Dock Design Guide outlines many of the important factors to consider.https://www.pentalift.com/PDF/dock-design-slide-presentation.pdf
For additional information on dock levelers and other loading dock equipment please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.