Increase Vehicle Access With The Right Loading Dock Lift
Adding a dock lift can provide more options and safety for your operations
I suspect you’ve heard somewhere that your dock is the “lifeblood” of your facility. Certainly, there’s no denying this reality, given that so much consistently flows in and out of this highly charged area. The name of the game is to create the most efficient movements within your dock while also keeping a watchful eye on the safety and security of those within it.
To move more and reap more from that, you want to allow for any type of delivery vehicle to enter and exit. There’s certainly a wide variety, and enhancing your existing physical dock location and limitations is key.
More dock access means more possibilities
The name of the game is, of course, accessibility. In the loading and unloading of trucks at your dock, offering as much accessibility as you can means increased product flow.
Upgrading this dock access can be achieved through many means, but one key solution is by utilizing loading dock lifts. Don’t worry about your existing dock area; these lifts are built to adapt.
It could also simply be retained, with capital reserved for better options down the road. Automation isn’t always the right answer, but when it is, what are the risks of inaction?
Be all things to all trucks!
Dock lifts provide a versatile solution for efficiently loading or unloading various types of trucks, overcoming challenges related to dock heights and trailer elevations. Whether your dock is absent or positioned at an inconvenient height, these lifts ensure seamless operations.
By effortlessly matching elevations, dock lifts not only enhance safety but also contribute to ergonomic loading processes, making them faster and more efficient. Their adaptability makes them a valuable asset in scenarios where traditional docking setups may fall short.
Dock lifts – What to remember when selecting
- Review your existing dock system to determine size and fit needed
- Don’t forget local building codes, as these will be key when deciding on the type of dock lift to install.
- Pit or surface? Both have advantages, but it will come down to your layout
Find the fit for your dock environment
Before you look into which equipment solution will fit your needs, you need to review your existing dock to see what needs you’ve got. Multiple factors must be accounted for, and all are critical.
Dock loading criteria to consider
- Weight – First and foremost, you want to determine the weight of the items you’re loading or unloading from trucks and the weight of the equipment you use to transport them. Dock lift weight ranges vary by option, so having this information on hand helps you make the right choice.
- Equipment used – What’s moving items in and out of your dock? Whether you use a forklift, cart or pallet truck, you want to factor this in when selecting a dock lift. There could be only one method or multiple ways to move items, but the weight of each must be accounted for.
- Size of trucks – Your facility may see the same size and type of truck entering and exiting, or a “this, that and the other” variety. To find the right dock lift solution, you’ll want to review each vehicle and its corresponding height.
These three are the main pieces of information to use, but don’t forget items such as electrical access, permitting (depending on state or local rules) and construction costs (if needed). These are just as important, and you don’t want to wait until it’s time to install your shiny new dock lift without having them answered.
Read more: Loading ramp options
You’ve got choices
Once you’ve crunched the numbers and had a thorough overview of your dock area, then it’s time to choose the dock lift! While the choices aren’t vast enough to spin any heads, you’ve got options.
Dive into the pit
Pit mounted lifts are the all-around favorite. Offering the most choices in size and optional add-ons, these lifts are embedded within a concrete pit in the ground or a pit on an elevated concrete dock. Sizes and load weights vary but offer many options for dock operations. Since this option involves a concrete pit, you’ll want to review building codes just to make sure it will work for your facility.
Stay on the surface
The other main option for dock lifts is to consider a surface-mounted version. These lifts are designed to be installed on a concrete slab. While they come with a higher price tag compared to pit-mounted options, their installation costs are lower due to the absence of pit construction. Additionally, they do not pose the same drainage challenges as pit-mounted lifts and are more straightforward to relocate.
The drawback of the surface option is that you’re limited in size and loading weight options. This could offset the pit construction cost, but it will depend on your overall loading environment.
Read more: Dock guide for more options
Download our Dock Equipment Guide
Loading docks play a critical role as they receive and eventually ship everything. The right shipping & receiving setup means smooth product flow, faster putaway and more accurate fulfillment. In short, it means a safer and better operation. To help you protect your docks and your people, check out our new dock equipment guide.
Download the guide today
Evan Fleishacker is a Marketing Strategist at Cisco-Eagle. You can find him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/evanf