Looking to improve your loading dock’s safety and efficiency? A new dock leveler can be a great place to start. Dock levelers serve as the literal bridge between delivery trucks and your loading bay. It’s important that your dock leveler meets your needs.

The question is…

What are Your Basic Needs?

Before you start browsing new dock levelers, you need to get a proper understanding of the basic requirements it must meet. What type of environment will it be operating in? How much weight does it need to lift? What dimensions does it need to have?

This is the most barebones list of features to ensure that the dock leveler has the size and power needed for the types of loads it will be handling. These requirements should help narrow your options once you begin shopping around.

Signaling and Safety

Dock leveler safety is an important part of overall facility safety. Today’s levelers can come with advanced LED lighting and alarm systems that can provide communication to both drivers and employees. This not only protects the levelers and your cargo, but human lives.

Traction and anti-slip features should be considered. You may also want to check whether the dock leveler has safety features such as safety lips that blocks off the edge of the leveler when its not deployed.

The Type of Leveler

In addition to different features that can come with dock levelers, there are different types of levelers.

Mechanical levelers are simple, yet effective. A release chain is pulled, causing the leveler to lift up. You then walk out on it, using your weight to lower it to the proper position. This type of leveler does require more bending and leaning, which can put a strain on employees over time. However, it tends to be the most budget friendly option.

A hydraulic leveler looks similar, but it allows workers to control the platform with the simple touch of a button.

Finally, edge of dock levelers mount directly on the edge of the dock, taking up less space, especially when they’re not in use. However, these types of levelers usually can’t support as much weight.

And of course, there are also elevating dock lifts. Rather than sitting at the end of the dock, these are typically below the docking bay, raising up from the ground. These are often used in situations where cargo is being loading from a truck to ground level, rather than bridging the gap between a truck and an elevated bay.

The Company You’re Buying From

When purchasing new dock levelers, you want to make sure to choose an experienced, yet personable company. At Springfield Overhead Door, customer service is our number one priority. We’re here to help you understand your options and make sure you end up with the leveler that’s best for you.

We have a wide selection of options available, and we’re confident we can find the perfect leveler for your needs. For dock levelers in Ohio, contact Springfield Overhead Door today!