Dock equipment facilitates the efficient loading and unloading of materials at docks and warehouses. Dock equipment is generally made of aluminum or plastic. However, steel and rubber coated dock equipment are also available in the market. You can use dock equipment of any material that meets application requirements and is economical.

Dock equipment mainly includes dock levelers, boards, bumpers, doors and lifts. Each different piece of equipment serves a specific purpose: such as dock boards that act as a bridge between the dock and the material-handling vehicle (MHV), dock bumpers that minimize chances of collision between the dock and MHVs, and dock doors that serve the security and safety needs of the store or dock.

Before going to dock equipment suppliers, you need to know the following factors to purchase dock equipment:

1. Load carrying capacity of the dock equipment
2. Dimensions of the dock equipment
3. Weight of the dock equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a dock equipment manufacturer with a wide product range

Many manufacturers offer a wide array of dock equipment. You can compare products from different manufacturers and choose the right one from reputable dock equipment manufacturers.

I recommend: Beacon Industries, Inc., a major manufacturer, offers almost all kinds of dock equipment. They can also arrange financing through US Commerce Equipment Finance, LLC. Another good source for a wide range of dock levelers and dock boards is CLD Handling Systems, Inc. Bondor Manufacturing Company, another loading dock equipment manufacturer, supplies different types of equipment such as dock bumpers, dock ladders and dock levelers. Blue Giant offers various types of dock equipment such as dock levelers and dock lifts. Rite-Hite provides a wide range of dock levelers.

Buy dock equipment from dock equipment distributors

You can select dock equipment after referring to various manufacturers' products and their prices on a distributor's website.

I recommend: Pro-Lift, a large dock equipment distributor and support service provider, supplies dock levelers, doors, boards, lights and other equipment from various manufacturers such as Enviro, Bishamon and Marathon. Quality Material Handling, Inc. is a California-based warehouse equipment distributor offering various types of metallic dock equipment. F.E. Bennett Company is another dock equipment supplier that offers various equipment such as dock shelters, dock seals and dock plates.

Consider buying used dock equipment to save costs

You can buy used dock equipment to reduce the cost of your material handling operation.

I recommend: Raven Technological Service offers and installs various used dock equipment such as dock lifts and ramps. NorthWest Handling Systems is another resource where you can buy used equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Train your employees for proper use of dock equipment such as chocks and bumpers.
• •  Select dock equipment with higher load capacity than required to increase their useful life.
• •  Consult an expert before buying used equipment.