What is a Yard Ramp?

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

Yard ramps serve two main roles and have a couple of different categories:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps: For locations lacking a loading dock, they permit lift truck access to trucks and cargo containers for loading and unloading. This can be at a permanent place of business or a temporary job site. Ramps can be easily relocated and the height can be adjusted to fluctuating vehicle levels.
2. Stationary Yard Ramps: For locations that have a loading dock, a yard ramp can enable forklifts 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 relocated often, it generally doesn’t come equipped with the positioning equipment included with a portable ramp.

Yard Ramp Configuration

Yard ramps are most often made of steel, but there are also lightweight aluminum styles available. Yard ramp lengths vary by application, but they are quite often about 30-40 feet long. Mobile ramps usually have a "level off" segment at the top of the incline so that forklifts have some space to maneuver.

Mobile yard ramps are typically outfitted with solid pneumatic tires so they can be efficiently reoriented. Ramps can be moved with a forklift using a positioning sleeve mounted on one end of the ramp. The angle of the ramp is adjusted with a hydraulic unit.

Ramp surfaces vary, but are often constructed of steel grating or diamond plate. Rails along the sides prevent forklifts or other equipment from rolling over the edge. At the elevated end of the ramp there is a lip designed to overlap the trailer deck or loading dock edge.

Yard Ramp Applications

As mentioned, yard ramps can either allow cargo flow to and from truck height, or permit vehicles to move on and off of a loading dock. That can be advantageous in several scenarios:

• Building Access For Vehicles: Yard ramps can permit lift trucks to travel without restriction on properties 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 continual movement from ground to dock, stationary ramps are an excellent choice.
• Industrial Storage Yards: A very common use of yard ramps is in material storage yards where it is not possible to install a loading dock.
• Equipment Movement: Moving heavy equipment is another popular application, whether it's for oil & gas, construction, mining, forestry or other industries that utilize large equipment.
• Work Sites: Yard ramps are often used at construction job sites to deliver materials, but there are many other remote work site scenarios where ramps may be employed: loading agricultural totes, military equipment and supplies, outdoor concerts and events, etc.
• Dock Expansion: When a facility does not have enough loading dock slots available, whether because of volume peaks or unexpected demand, yard ramps can quickly increase capacity temporarily.

Yard Ramps Near Me

If you have question about yard ramps or need to discuss sales or rentals, talk to a material handling professional at Raymond West today. We have a vast range of options for nearly any application.

Raymond West's Santa Barbara County service area includes Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Santa Barbara Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Santa Barbara County, CA
(805) 749-2777