Selecting loading dock levelers

A dock leveler includes a ramp (hinged along its rear edge) and a lip (hinged at the front of the ramp). When not in use, the dock leveler is stored in its neutral position, flush with the loading platform floor.

Dock levelers bridge the gap and height difference between the dock and the trailer. They also compensate for the up and down float of the trailer bed during loading. A dock leveler includes a ramp (hinged along its rear edge) and a lip (hinged at the front of the ramp). When not in use, the dock leveler is stored in its neutral position, flush with the loading platform floor. To use a dock leveler, the operator raises the ramp and the lip swings out. With the lip extended, the operator lowers the ramp until the lip rests on the truck.

Distribution operations

When your facility handles high trailer volumes, you need reliable equipment designed to take a constant beating to ensure your loading dock keeps running smoothly. Regardless of your market segment or facility size, the right loading dock equipment can help you maximise operational efficiency through greater trailer turnaround, improved scheduling, improved communications, and improved equipment sequencing and utilisation. Gandhi Automations loading dock equipment can also enhance security and minimise downtime due to service issues or accidents.

Industrial operations

Heavy industrial facilities that handle large, weighty products such as pulp/paper, automotive or steel, have unique needs. It’s not about the footprint of the space, but the size and weight your equipment can handle within high-volume traffic flows. For these extraordinarily heavy loads, you need heavy-duty industrial dock equipment that can stand up to extreme loads while also providing operational efficiency and safety.

General warehousing

Just because you have a smaller operation doesn’t mean you don’t face similar security, safety and operational issues as larger operations. The dock solutions that work best for your facility will vary depending on frequency of use. Conventional non-powered dock equipment will typically work well for those docks processing a low volume of trailers daily, but powered dock levelers are recommended for moderate users as they provide a lower lifetime cost of ownership. And if you’re working in a leased space, you may have special equipment needs.

Food & beverage

Food & Beverage operations, regardless of warehouse/loading dock footprint, are often the most rugged of environments. Heavy loads, larger gross vehicle weight, high traffic volume, high productivity demands, higher need for flexibility and high load frequency are just some of the challenges these operations face. In addition, Food & Beverage facilities often require low maintenance and more regulatory demands, such as wash down, AIB, FDA and EN 1398. As a result, these dock products are recommended:

Operational efficiency

One of the biggest challenges facing companies is how to effectively respond to continually changing market forces in a cost-effective manner. Companies can often achieve operational efficiency by minimising redundancy and waste while leveraging the resources that contribute most to their success and utilising the best of their workforce, technology and business processes. Streamlining the core processes in your warehouse and loading dock is a vital piece of that puzzle. Picking the right loading dock equipment can help you: lower your lifetime cost of ownership of equipment, improve trailer scheduling, reduce cycle time of trailer loading/unloading, improve trailer management within the yard, and effectively sequence loading dock equipment and dock doors.

Safety & security

Creating and maintaining a safe work environment is the keystone of any successful warehouse and loading dock operation. The mixture of personnel and machinery in hectic, fast-paced environments means the opportunity for accident and injury is always present. However, a variety of Gandhi Automations products can improve environmental conditions and visibility and protect workers from dangerous situations.