What Is Dock Leveler Float?
With a truck backed into position at the loading dock and the vehicle restraint engaged it is safe for the dock attendant to now operate the dock leveler.
How the Dock Leveler Is Positioned for Loading
The dock leveler platform is raised and as the platform raises the hinged lip assembly extends from the vertical, stored position to the fully extended position. The dock leveler platform with the extended lip assembly is then lowered until the lip assembly makes contact with the truck bed. With the vehicle restrained and the dock leveler in position loading can now begin.
How Lift Truck Movement Causes Dock Leveler Float
During loading, as the lift truck drives across the dock leveler platform onto the truck bed, the weight of the lift truck naturally pushes the dock leveler platform downward while the truck’s suspension absorbs the load. When the lift truck backs off the truck bed and dock leveler platform, the platform rises again; as the weight is removed, the truck’s suspension lifts the truck bed and the dock leveler upward.
This natural up-and-down movement of the dock leveler platform during the loading process is referred to as “dock leveler float.”
Why Air-Ride Suspensions Affect Float
It is required that trucks/trailers that are equipped with air-ride suspensions exhaust the air from the air bags prior to loading to minimize the amount of dock leveler float during the loading cycle.
For information on any Pentalift product please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.