To understand dock leveler end loading first we should review the standard dock leveler unloading sequence of operations.
With a truck backed into position at the loading dock the overhead door is opened, the truck door is opened and the dock attendant cycles the dock leveler. The dock leveler deck assembly raises from the stored/closed position, when the deck assembly is fully raised the hinged lip assembly extends.
The dock attendant then lowers the deck assembly with the hinged lip extended, when the hinged lip rests on the bed of the truck the unloading begins.
In some applications there are pallets positioned right at the very back of the truck. In some cases, pallets that are positioned right at the very back of the truck don’t leave enough room on the floor of the truck bed for the hinged lip assembly to rest.
If the truck bed is at or above floor level the dock leveler is left in the stored/closed position. The lift truck drives onto the parked dock leveler platform and removes the first row of pallet(s) that are positioned at the very back of the truck. With the pallets removed from the very back of the truck the dock leveler is now cycled and when the lip assembly rests on the bed of the truck the remainder of the pallets is unloaded.
If the truck bed is below floor level with pallets positioned at the very back of the truck is where end loading comes into play.
On a mechanical or air actuated dock leveler first the deck assembly is raised approximately 6” above the finished floor level. The dock attendant reaches down and pulls up on the optional deck installed below dock control lever, this lever “swings” the hinged lip assembly forward 2”-3” clearing the dock leveler lower frame cross traffic stops. The deck is now able to lower to the fully below level position with the lip in the vertical position.
The lift truck now carefully drives onto the lowered dock leveler deck assembly and removes the first row of pallets that are positioned right at the very back of the truck. Once these pallets are removed the dock leveler is cycled normally. When the lip is resting on the floor of the truck bed the remainder of the truck is unloaded.
To end load with a hydraulic dock leveler the deck is raised, when the deck is in the fully raised position the hinged lip starts to extend. The dock attendant allows the lip to extend 3”- 4” and then releases the control button. The deck assembly lowers with the hinged lip partially extended; the partially extended lip clears the lower frame and the deck is lowered to the fully below level position.
The lift truck now drives across the lowered dock leveler deck assembly and removes the pallets that are positioned right at the very back of the truck. Once these pallets are removed the dock leveler is cycled, when the lip is resting on the floor of the truck bed the remainder of the truck is unloaded.
For additional information on dock leveler end loading please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.