Loading Dock Equipment Overview

About Loading Dock Equipment

There is a wide range of capacities, loading dock sizes, loading dock constructions and both hydraulic and mechanical operation to suit virtually any application, in any environment. Mechanical loading dock levelers are spring biased upwards and incorporate a hold down mechanism, while hydraulic units are powered by an electro-hydraulic system.

Regardless of your application the most economical and durable solution is a Loading Dock Leveler.

Common Types of Loading Dock Equipment

• Loading Dock Levelers - A loading dock leveler is variable grade ramp platform that is designed to be used as a bridge between the loading dock floor surface and the surface of the load bed of a transporter vehicle.
  • Hydraulic Dock Leveler - Hydraulic dock levelers are simple to operate and require no bending or pulling on the part of the operator.
  • Mechanical Dock Leveler - Mechanical dock levelers are operated by pulling the ring of the release chain
  • Vertical - Vertical Dock Levelers are specially designed for use in climate controlled applications where the overhead door must be kept closed when not in use.
  • Edge-of-Dock - The Edge-of-Dock Leveler is ideally suited for applications where standard size trucks are serviced.

   

• Loading Dock Lifts - A simple and flexible means of accommodating vehicle height variations is the installation of a hydraulic loading dok lift.
  • Stationary Loading Dock Lifts - The Stationary Loading Dock Lifts provides a safe and efficient way to handle endless material handling applications at grocery stores, schools, hospitals, postal services and distribution centers - anywhere a low-profile workhorse is required.
  • Semi-Portable Loading Dock Lifts - Semi-Portable Loading Dock Lift with its extremely low profile, provides added versatility for ground level loading/unloading operations. 

   

• Loading Dock Seals & Shelters - The purpose of installing loading dock seals or shelters is to maintain the internal climate of the facility and protect against product damage.
  • Loading Dock Seals - Designed for door openings typically 8’ W x 8’ H where trailers are generally a standard size.
    •  Fixed Head Pad Door Seal - Compression dock seals provide the most effective seal and are the most economical solution. Foam-filled side pads and fixed head pad - for servicing vehicles of the same size.
    • Adjustable Curtain Door Seal - The split curtain design allows for adjustment after the trailer is in position.
  • Loading Dock Shelter - Truck shelters are the most versatile solution because they will accommodate the widest range of vehicles.
    • Stationary Rigid Door Shelter - The unit sides and top are covered with rigid translucent plastic. A tight seal is maintained against the sides and top of the trailer body through spring-like fiberglass stays built into the side and top curtains as well as a foam bead at the leading edges.
    • Stationary Inflatable Door Shelter - Inflatable Shelters are the optimum truck shelter solution. They eliminate the usual wear and tear normally found on standard truck shelters and are the best solution for any size door opening. The tear-proof fabric was developed specifically for inflatable shelters and will provide years of trouble-free service.

   

• Loading Dock Safety - There are many risks and up to 100 opportunities a day, per shift, per single dock for the most serious accident to occur. With this risk multiplied by your number of working days per year, the possibility of occurrence increases quickly. Beaton Industrial, Inc., reduces the risks of physical injury and equipment damage, while increasing productivity, with a cost-effective choice of non-impact style Hydraulic and Mechanical Vehicle Restraint Systems.
  • Hydraulic Vehicle Restraint - Hydraulic Vehicle Restraint technology centers around a non-impact "swing-up" arm design that is designed to confine a vehicles rear impact guard or ICC bar. Vehicles remain safely stationed at the dock without time consuming and uncertain chocking.
  • Mechanical Vehicle Restraint - Simplicity of design, heavy-duty construction materials and minimal maintenance/ lubrication requirements reflect on long-term low cost of operation. 
  • Door & Dock Guard - The heavy-duty guard is specifically designed to prevent forklift roll-off and overhead door damage.

   

• Loading Dock Accessories
  • Loading Dock Conversion Kits - This is a full feature conversion that provides hydraulic operation of both the deck and lip. Easily adapts to all manufacturers pit style doc levelers. Complete installation instructions supplied with every unit.
  • Loading Dock Brush Weather Seals - At the loading dock a gap exists between the dock leveler and dock pit wall, often being around a 1” gap on either side of the dock leveler. The dock leveler - pit gap can amount to having a 12” x 12” window of air infiltration into your building per dock position. We highly recommend to close a this portion of your building opening to loss of conditioned air out and unconditioned air in with your choice of rubber or brush weather seals.
  • Loading Dock Replacement Lips - Since spools sizes vary between manufactures, we offer a replacement lip kit that includes the lip plate with welded lip spools, deck spools and the lip pin. This eliminates the potential problems involved in trying to interlink existing deck spools of one manufacturer with the new lip.
  • Loading Dock Bumpers - Each loading dock must be equipped with a form of loading dock bumper to protect the building from vehicle impact damage. Keep in mind that an approaching vehicle can generate up to 300,000 lbs. of impact force. Several styles of bumper are available to suit application requirements.
    • Molded - Fabric reinforced masticated rubber, shaped with lag bolt holes.
    • Laminated - Fabric reinforced rubber pads, laminated and secured between steel angles.
  • Loading Dock Wheel Chocks - At the loading dock a gap exists between the dock leveler and dock pit wall, often being around a 1” gap on either side of the dock leveler. The dock leveler - pit gap can amount to having a 12” x 12” window of air infiltration into your building per dock position. We highly recommend to close a this portion of your building opening to loss of conditioned air out and unconditioned air in with your choice of rubber or brush weather seals.
  • Loading Dock Lighting - 
    • Communication Lights - Communication light packages are standard features with most manufacturers' vehicle restraints, and are important factors in the overall safety of the loading dock. If the communication system is not a standard feature offered by a particular manufacturer then it should be requested as an optional item.
    • Loading Dock Lights - Loading Dock lights for the loading dock area are rugged, durable, and dependable. Our dock lights help increase safety by providing floods of soft, bright light to illuminate truck and train interiors. Dock lights help increase personnel safety and help eliminate product damage.

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