What is a Yard Ramp?

A yard ramp is basically a moveable loading dock. These ramps can be abutted against the entrance of a freight container, trailer or rail car to permit access by lift trucks or pallet trucks.

Yard ramps serve two main purposes and have two distinct categories:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps: For locations lacking a loading dock, they enable forklift access to trailers and cargo containers for loading and unloading. This can be at a permanent location or a short term work site. Ramps can be easily relocated and the height can be changed to fluctuating vehicle heights.
2. Stationary Yard Ramps: For buildings that have a loading dock, stationary yard ramps can enable lift trucks and other vehicles to move from dock level down to ground level and vice versa. Because this style of ramp doesn’t need to be relocated often, it generally doesn’t possess the positioning features included with a portable ramp.

Yard Ramp Configuration

Yard ramps are primarily steel construction, although there are also lightweight aluminum options available. The length of a yard ramp varies by type, but they are generally about 30-40 feet long. Ramps designed for lift truck traffic have a "level off" segment at the top of the slope so that forklifts can more easily move about.

Portable yard ramps are frequently equipped with solid pneumatic tires so they can be easily reoriented. Ramps can be moved with a fork truck using a positioning sleeve affixed to the low side of the ramp. The angle of the ramp is adjusted with a hydraulic pump.

Ramp decking varies, but is frequently constructed of steel grating or diamond plate. Side rails stop lift trucks or other vehicles from rolling off the edge. On the top side of the ramp there is a lip meant to overlap the trailer deck or loading dock surface.

Yard Ramp Applications

As outlined, yard ramps can either allow cargo flow to and from truck height, or permit equipment to travel on and off of a loading dock. That can be beneficial in a number of circumstances:

• 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 travel from dock to ground, there are also stationary ramp options that can be installed.
• Material Storage Yards: Yard ramps are often used in material storage yards where it is not possible to install a loading dock.
• Equipment Relocation: Moving heavy equipment is another popular application, whether it's for construction, oil & gas, forestry, mining or other industries that utilize large equipment.
• Work Sites: While yard ramps are common in the construction industry, there are many other remote work site scenarios where they may be employed: loading agricultural totes, military equipment and supplies, outdoor events and concerts, etc.
• Dock Expansion: If a warehouse doesn’t have enough loading dock slots available, whether because of volume peaks or seasonal demand, yard ramps can quickly increase capacity on a temporary basis without construction.

Yard Ramps Near Me

For yard ramp questions, sales or rentals, contact a material handling professional at Raymond West today. We have a vast range of options for nearly any application.

Raymond's Seattle service operation includes most of Western Washington, including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Everett, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, Kent, Federal Way, Fife, Sumner, Auburn, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Olympia, Lacey and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Seattle Material Handling Equipment Supplier

6607 S 287th St
Auburn, WA 98001
(253) 333-2100