What is a Yard Ramp?

A yard ramp is the equivalent of a mobile loading dock. It's a ramp that can be pushed up to the opening of a cargo container, semi trailer or railroad car to facilitate access by lift trucks or pallet trucks.

Yard ramps have two main purposes and have two different categories:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps: For locations lacking a loading dock, they allow forklift access to trucks and shipping containers for loading and unloading. Mobile ramps can be used at a permanent location or a short term work site. Ramps can be easily relocated and the height can be adjusted to fluctuating vehicle levels.
2. Stationary Yard Ramps: For facilities that are equipped with a loading dock, stationary yard ramps can allow lift trucks and other vehicles to proceed from dock height down to ground level and vice versa. Since this type of ramp doesn’t need to be moved on a regular basis, it generally doesn’t come equipped with the positioning features supplied with a portable ramp.

Yard Ramp Configuration

Yard ramps are primarily steel construction, but there are also lightweight aluminum styles available. Yard ramp lengths vary by application, but they are generally in the 30'-40' range. Mobile ramps usually have a "level off" length at the top of the slope so that forklifts have some space to maneuver.

Mobile yard ramps are generally equipped with solid pneumatic tires so they can be efficiently positioned. Ramps can be moved with a fork truck using a positioning sleeve mounted on one end of the ramp. The angle of the ramp is adjusted with a hydraulic unit.

Ramp decking varies, but is commonly made of steel grating or diamond plate. Side rails stop lift trucks or other vehicles from going over the edge. At the elevated end of the ramp there is a lip designed to extend over the trailer deck or loading dock edge.

Yard Ramp Applications

As mentioned, yard ramps can either facilitate retrieval of freight or goods from truck height, or permit vehicles to travel on and off of a loading dock. That can be advantageous in several scenarios:

• Vehicle Access To Buildings: Yard ramps can permit forklifts to travel freely in facilities that have both a warehouse or production plant and a storage yard. They can also allow other vehicles like delivery vans or small trucks to drive into a facility for loading, maintenance or other purposes. If your facility requires continual movement from ground to dock, stationary ramps are an excellent choice.
• Material Storage Yards: Yard ramps are often used in industrial storage yards where no loading docks can be built.
• Equipment Relocation: Another common application is for moving heavy equipment, whether it's for construction, oil & gas, forestry, mining or other businesses that use large equipment.
• Work Sites: While yard ramps are common in the construction industry, there are many other remote job site situations where ramps may be put to use: military supplies and equipment, agricultural totes, outdoor concerts and festivals, etc.
• Dock Expansion: If a facility does not have enough loading dock capacity, whether because of volume peaks or seasonal demand, yard ramps can help increase capacity on a temporary basis without construction.

Yard Ramps Near Me

For yard ramp questions, sales or rentals, get in touch with a material handling professional at Raymond West today. We have a wide range of options for almost any application.

Raymond West's Sacramento facility serves the greater Sacramento area and other parts of Northern California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Auburn, Placerville, Vacaville, Fairfield, Sausalito, Napa, Santa Rosa, Redding, Eureka and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Sacramento Material Handling Equipment Supplier

900 National Dr
Sacramento, CA 95834
(800) 675-2500