Equipment Pics: Loading Dock Equipment
The loading dock is generally considered the most dangerous part a warehouse/material handling operation. Every year there are numerous injuries and fatalities when lift trucks drive off the edge of a dock or fall between the dock and the trailer. The number one concern when purchasing dock equipment should be safety. Read my article on Dock Safety.
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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)
