Courtesy of McGuire
|
Standard
Pull-chain mechanical Dock Leveler Dock
levelers are used to bridge the gap between the dock and the trailer
and adjust for any height differences. The pull-chain
mechanical dock leveler is the most common type used. It is
important to know the weight capacity of the dock levelers as well
as rated safe height range. It is also important to have
regularly scheduled preventative maintenance performed on dock
levelers.
|
|
Courtesy of Blue Giant
|
Hydraulic
Dock Leveler A step up from
the mechanical dock leveler, the hydraulic dock leveler uses an
electric pump and hydraulic cylinder to engage/disengage the dock
leveler. This works from a remote switch which is generally
mounted on the wall next to the dock. Docks with high volume
will benefit from this automation.
|
Courtesy of Rite-Hite
|
Truck
Restraint: ICC Bar Type The
most dangerous aspects of loading and unloading trailers is trailer
creep caused by a lift truck entering and exiting the trailer or
when a driver starts to pull away from the dock while he is still
being loaded. While wheel chocks can help they are not as
effective as an automated restraint system. The ICC Bar type
restraints automatically engage the rear impact guard on the trailer
when it backs into the dock. After the trailer is
loaded/unloaded the restraint is disengaged via a control
panel.
|
Courtesy of Rite-Hite
|
Truck
Restraint: Automatic Wheel Type Another
automated truck restraint system, the wheel type system engages the rear wheels of the trailer
|
Courtesy of
GMR Safety |
Truck
Restraint: Other There are
numerous variations on wheel chocks and wheel restraint devices. The
Image shown on the left is a variation of a wheel chock that
provides several improvements, including a skid plate that locks the
chock in place, and sensors that connect to signaling devices.
|
Courtesy of Rite-Hite
|
Dock
Leveler with Safety Barrier This
dock leveler has a built in steel barrier which prevents the lift
truck from going over the edge of the dock when the leveler is not
engaged onto a trailer.
|
|
Courtesy of Blue Giant
|
Elevating Docks
Elevating docks are used where a
raised dock is not available. They operate via an electric
pump and a hydraulic lift cylinder. Generally these are used
with a hand pallet jack to unload trucks although I have seen them
used with forklifts. |
Courtesy of McGuire
|
Dock Seals Dock
seals come in a variety of configurations and are used to prevent
air, dirt, debris, insects, birds, and rain/snow from entering the
building while loading and unloading trucks..
|
|
Courtesy of Blue Giant
|
Signaling
Devices Signaling devices
are useful especially in high volume dock areas. They can be
used to indicate the correct dock to back into as well as to signal
the lift truck operator that it is safe to enter the trailer
(automatically checking truck restraining devices and dock levelers) |
|
|
