Loading Docks
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Loading Docks
Most businesses that entail shipping or receiving goods will have one or more loading docks to help facilitate the loading and unloading of trucks. These exterior entrances are designed to accommodate the height of a standard trailer truck, allowing the truck to nestle up to the building itself rather than forcing workers to use flimsy, unreliable ramps.
Loading docks have a wide array of features that often go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Surrounding the dock itself is typically a cushioned bumper that protects the building from being damaged by contact with the trailer and to seal off the entrance from the elements while the truck is docked with the building. Most loading docks also have bright yellow bumpers outside the dock that act as a barricade.
Many busier facilities will use a mechanical dock leveler that works as an adjustable bridge to fill the gap between the trailer and the dock itself, allowing motorized lifts direct access to palletized goods within the trailer itself. Some of these loading docks also have hydraulic restraint systems, which ensure that the trailer stays secured to the building during unloading procedures.
Business.com has lots of information available about loading docks. Take a look here and you will find some helpful links.
Loading Docks Key Terms
Familiarize yourself with the loading docks key termsBy Howard Robertson A loading dock is any functional space in a building or warehouse, where trucks or vans are loaded and unloaded. A common feature in industrial and commercial buildings, a loading dock helps in increasing the efficiency and productivity of all businesses that involve shipping or material transport.
If you want to use loading dock equipment to enhance the productivity of your business, you will need to know various technical terms associated with loading docks. This guide intends to familiarize you with the loading docks key terms, such as dock plates, dock boards, dock seals and dock lifts.
Dock plates
Dock plates are light-weight metal plates that form a bridge between a trailer and a loading dock.
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For more information about dock plates, you can read through the glossary at Purolator Courier Ltd., a reputable courier company.
Dock boards
Dock boards are heavy duty loading ramps made from steel. The basic function of dock boards is the same as that of dock plates. However, the load capacity of a dock board is much higher than that of a dock plate.
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Easy Rack, a reputable supplier of material moving equipment, provides detailed information about dock plates and dock boards.
Dock seals
Dock seals are the sealing devices used around a dock opening. These devices keep out rough weather and also act as a cushion to mitigate the force from a backing truck.
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A Plus Warehouse, an industrial equipment supplier, provides information about dock seals.
Dock bumpers
Dock bumpers are designed to protect loading docks and their cargo from impact damage. Dock bumpers may be laminated, steel-faced, molded or extruded.
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Bastian Material Handling (BMH) provides detailed information about various loading dock equipment and accessories, including dock bumpers. You can also refer to Dock Bumper Solutions, a supplier of loading docks and industrial accessories.
Dock lifts
As the name indicates, these lift tables are useful for loading and unloading operations at docks. Generally, these lift tables have a lift travel of less than 5 feet.
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Cherry's Industrial Equipment Corp., a reputable supplier of material handling products, offers a glossary of technical terms related to material handling equipment
Scissor lifts
This is another table lift category that is widely used in many industries for material handling, including loading docks. In a scissor lift, a criss-crossed mechanism is employed for lowering or raising the load. These lifts operate on hydraulic, diesel or electric power as per the application requirements.
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ScissorLiftRentals.net is an informative website for the prospective renters and customers of scissor lifts. In addition, GlobalSpec offers detailed explanation about scissor lifts and their applications.
Lift capacity
This is the most important specification of any material handling equipment. Lift capacity is the maximum load or force supported by the equipment. Before buying or renting such equipment, you must assess your requirements and calculate the lift capacity.
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Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) publishes a glossary of technical terms, including lift capacity.
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