Why do I need a dock leveler and not just a bare concrete?

Dock levelers make loading docks safer and more efficient. These essential pieces of equipment are used when a building has a truck-level door. They basically form a ramp to bridge the distance between the dock and the truck. They have a metal plate, known as a lip. The lip is raised from the dock then lowered on the back of the truck.

Dock levelers are typically either mounted to the dock face or recessed into a pit at the locking dock. This article will look at the multiple purposes that dock levelers serve, why you need a dock leveler, and when you may need to replace one.  

Dock Levelers Improve Safety and Protect Cargo

Dock levelers are especially essential because, in many cases, the height of your dock and the trucks that enter your loading one will be different. Whenever your dock and the height of the trunk don’t match, a gap can form between the dock and truck. This makes it not only difficult to load freight at your dock but also dangerous. Dock levelers are worth the investment for a variety of reasons, including:

• Levelers are durable and capable of supporting heavy loads.
• Levelers improve safety. All dock levelers have fixed and restricted ranges; therefore, business owners are only allowed to install them in a standardized dock height and design that ensures safety.
• Levelers ensure a smooth transition between the docks and trucks. This helps prevent accidents that could cause serious injuries.
• Many types of levelers are suitable for forklifts.
• Levelers are designed to absorb shocks during the loading and unloading that goes on at the dock.
• Levelers are relatively low maintenance because of the material they are composed of and the number of parts they have.

Reasons For Replacement

Dock levelers experience a lot of wear and tear over time and eventually need to be replaced. It’s important that you evaluate and pinpoint the signs that you need a new dock leveler. Some of the most common reasons to replace your dock leveler include:

• The lip is bent, warped, or cracked.
• The lip will not fully extend.
• The lip is not closing properly.
• The top deck is warped.
• The leveler is not working properly.
• The leveler is rusting.
• The beam welds are damaged.
• The leveler does not meet your loading requirements.
• The leveler has safety issues.
• The dock will not raise.
• The dock rises slowly.
• The dock is above floor level.

Contact Us Now

Parts Brite provides loading dock levelers and high-quality aftermarket dock leveler parts.  We offer loading docks parts that are specifically designed to fit your company’s unique needs. Our office is located in California, but we have distribution warehouses in California and Wisconsin. This allows us to provide parts to companies throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

If you have questions about dock levelers and the parts and services we offer, reach us at 1-855-PARTSBRITE (1-855-727-8727) or info@partsbrite.com.