When the dock leveler is not in use it is stored in the closed, cross traffic position level with the building floor. When the dock leveler is activated the platform is hinged at the rear, the front section of the platform raises and when the platform reaches full height the hinged lip assembly extends.
The the raising of the deck assembly during operating cycle creates an opening between the underside of a hydraulic or pneumatic dock leveler platform and the building floor. Without guarding, this opening could cause a potential pinch point for the operator (typically standing beside the platform) as the dock leveler platform is lowered.
On conventional Pentalift hydraulic and pneumatic dock levelers this side “gap” is closed with full range toe guards.
– https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/hd-series-hydraulic-dock-leveler/Â
– https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/ad-series-air-powered-dock-leveler/
Full range toe guards include a protective fixed steel section welded to both sides of the platform and a lower steel hinged section attached to the upper section of the toe guard.
Full range toe guards provide a protective barrier for the dock attendant as they stand beside the dock leveler during operation preventing a foot from entering the potential pinch point zone as the platform lowers.
Vertical storing dock hydraulic levelers do not require full range toe guard protection. Many installation use a full width pit eliminating any potential pinch point as the platform lowers. Pit installed models of vertical storing dock levelers have a much wider pit, this increases the distance from the side of the dock leveler platform to the pit wall minimizing any potential pinch point.
– https://www.pentalift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Vertical-Brochure.pdf
As standard Pentalift mechanical dock levelers are equipped with the same fixed steel upper section toe guard welded to both sides of the platform. This design is referred to as working range toe guards.
– https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/pentalift-md-mechanical-dock-leveler/
When the dock leveler is in use with the hinged lip resting on the truck bed the working range toe guards eliminate the gap between both undersides of the platform and the building floor.
To lower a mechanical dock leveler the dock attendant walks onto the platform, the dock attendant’s weight lowers the platform and lip assembly into position on the truck bed.
The dock attendant standing on top of the platform as opposed to standing beside the platform eliminates any potential pinch point as the platform lowers. Â As well, based on the upward bias design of the mechanical the lowering force of the dock leveler is much lower than hydraulic or pneumatic dock levelers. Full range toe guards are not required on mechanical dock levelers however they are available as an option.
For additional information on any Pentalift product please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.