There are many choices available from many different distributors in Los Angeles County. While dock levelers are a popular choice, portable dock plates, boards and ramps are less expensive and often more versatile alternatives. Unlike dock levelers, these options can be freely relocated and put into use across numerous dock bays.

Dock plates are utilized to traverse a short distance from one area to another in material handling operations, usually between a dock and a truck. They are built as a flat piece of metal with a faint curve, and they commonly have a vertical safety foot installed on the underside that holds the plate in position during use. Dock plates come in either aluminum or steel and can reach capacities up to 17,000 lbs. They are often configured with a diamond plate facing for traction.

Dock boards are a heavier duty option for bridging gaps and have borders fitted on both sides, which reinforce the board and impede equipment from slipping over the edges. Dock boards come in both steel and lighter weight aluminum varieties. Curbs are either welded or bolted on either side. In similarity with dock plates, dock boards generally come equipped with a safety leg and are typically made with a diamond plate surface.

A yard ramp is basically a portable loading dock. It's a ramp that can be easily relocated within a shipping and receiving yard to allow pallet trucks and forklifts to climb safely from ground level up to a trailer or container and back. Nearly all yard ramps have a height setting mechanism to allow various sizes of containers and trucks.

For storage facilities without loading docks, yard ramps are vital for loading and unloading goods from containers and trailers. An alternative application is to enable vehicles to drive into a facility from surface level via a loading dock door.

A dock to ground ramp is useful when it's necessary to pass small trucks, vans or forklifts in and out of your warehouse on a routine basis. It is a permanent or semi-permanent ramp that enables vehicle travel from ground level to dock elevation.

In contrast to yard ramps, dock to ground ramps are not configured to be relocated frequently, and are intended as a long term alternative. There's also no need for an incline adjustment mechanism, since the ramp rests stationary in one position.

If you're looking to purchase or service loading dock equipment in Southern California, talk to a warehouse professional at Raymond West now by calling (562) 944-8067.