What is a Yard Ramp?

A yard ramp is the equivalent of a moveable loading dock. This style of ramp can be pushed up to the entrance of a shipping container, semi trailer or railroad car to permit access by lift trucks or pallet trucks.

Yard ramps have two basic roles and have a couple of specific categories:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps: For locations without a loading dock, they allow lift truck access to semi trailers and cargo containers for loading and unloading. Mobile ramps can be used at a permanent location or a temporary job site. Ramps can be readily repositioned and the height can be adjusted to various vehicle levels.
2. Stationary Yard Ramps: For buildings that have a loading dock, a yard ramp can enable lift trucks and other vehicles to move from dock height down to ground height and vice versa. Because this type of ramp doesn’t need to be moved on a regular basis, it generally doesn’t possess the positioning equipment included with a portable ramp.

Yard Ramp Configuration

Yard ramps are most often steel construction, but there are also lightweight aluminum styles available. The length of a yard ramp varies by application, but they are generally in the 30'-40' range. Ramps designed for lift truck traffic have a "level off" length at the top of the slope so that forklifts have some space to maneuver.

Portable yard ramps are frequently outfitted with solid pneumatic tires so they can be efficiently reoriented. Ramps can be moved with a forklift using a positioning sleeve attached to the bottom end of the ramp. The angle of the ramp can be modified with a hydraulic pump.

Ramp decking varies, but is commonly constructed of steel grating or diamond plate. Side rails prevent forklifts or other vehicles from rolling over the edge. On the top side of the ramp there is a lip meant to extend over the trailer deck or loading dock edge.

Yard Ramp Applications

As outlined, yard ramps can either facilitate retrieval of freight or goods from truck height, or allow vehicles to move on and off of a loading dock. That can be beneficial in many different situations:

• Building Access For Vehicles: Yard ramps can permit lift trucks to travel without restriction in facilities that have both a plant or warehouse and an outside storage yard. In addition, they can enable other vehicles like delivery vans or small trucks to drive into a facility for loading and unloading or maintenance. For buildings that require frequent travel from dock to ground, there are also stationary ramp options that can be installed.
• Material Storage Yards: Ramps are frequently put to use in material storage yards where no loading docks can be built.
• Equipment Relocation: Moving heavy equipment is another popular application, whether it's for construction, oil & gas, forestry, mining or other businesses that use large equipment.
• Work Sites: Yard ramps are often used at construction job sites to deliver materials, but there are many other remote job site situations where they may be employed: military supplies and equipment, agricultural totes, outdoor events and concerts, etc.
• Dock Expansion: When a plant or warehouse does not have enough loading dock slots available, whether because of volume peaks or unexpected demand, yard ramps can help increase capacity on a temporary basis without construction.

Yard Ramps Near Me

For yard ramp questions, sales or rentals, talk to a material handling expert at Raymond West today. We have a wide array of options for almost any application.

Raymond West's Orange County service area includes Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Orange County Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Orange County, CA
(714) 790-9300