Avoiding Loading Dock Leveler Problems: A Practical Guide
Acquiring a dock leveler for your warehouse is a significant investment. So, the need for maintaining it properly to elicit flawless performance arises to preserve the value of your investment.
Loading dock levelers are machines. So, they call for proper installation, usage and maintenance, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
In the context of dock levelers, there is an interesting aspect to note. Not all dock levelers are the same. The capacity to handle particular load and performance among different dock levelers varies.
Akin to all machines, problems arise with dock levelers that hamper the smooth functioning of the equipment.
Usually, problems manifest in dock levelers when the operating guidelines are not followed or the person operating the dock leveller is poorly trained.
However, you can avoid many problems with your dock leveller if you follow some practical steps, such as:
Understand the Equipment In and Out
You will find dealing with problems with your dock leveler a lot easier if you know the equipment thoroughly. Therefore, make efforts to understand every aspect of the equipment, including loading dock procedures.
An excellent way of developing an understanding is to go through the manual. Usually, the manufacturer provides a manual that includes the relevant information about various aspects of the dock leveler.
Typically, a manual contains:
- Safety features
- Product features
- Maintenance schedule
- Troubleshooting reference
- Component breakdown
- Warranty
In addition, a manual also contains the contact information of the manufacturer. You can contact the manufacturer when you find any problems with your equipment.
Before starting operating your newly acquired dock leveler, read the manual and understand the relevant aspects. Moreover, some manuals also contain dock leveler troubleshooting.
Deploy a Properly Trained Person to Operate the Dock Leveler
Deploying a poorly trained person to operate your dock level can bring problems. Therefore, you need to deploy a competent person to operate the equipment.
Ensure that the person is:
- Properly trained to operate the equipment
- Physically fit
- With a positive work attitude
- Not under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Conversant with the manual and dock lock parts
In addition, ensure that the operator goes through the dock leveler inspection checklist.
Actuate Precautionary Measures
Operating the dock leveler with the proper precautions is one of the best ways to avoid problems with the equipment.
Here are some of the best preventive practices:
- Disconnect the safety device when operating a vehicle restraint
- Do not remove the warning signs
- Do not allow any unauthorized personnel to enter the operating area
- Maintain the working site free of obstructing objects that can cause an accident
- Do not allow people to stay near the dock leveler when a truck approaches or goes away from the dock area
- Do not allow any person to place their hands or other body parts on the moving parts of the dock leveler
- Refrain from operating a damaged dock leveler, get it repaired from a trusted company
- Ensure that the lips of the dock leveler extend at least 4 inches onto the truck
- Refrain from using the dock leveler if the height of the truck is higher or lower
- Do not overload the dock leveler
- Do not allow any object to remain unattended on the dock leveler
- Ensure all personnel associated with the dock leveler go through a loading dock safety guide
Carry Out Periodic Maintenance and Inspections
It is essential to carry out periodic maintenance and inspections of your dock leveler to keep it working flawlessly. While maintenance helps keep problems at bay, inspections can help spot hidden issues.
Before carrying out any maintenance, you should:
- Ensure that the personnel you depute to maintain your dock leveler is acquainted with hydraulic dock leveler troubleshooting
- Arrange the docking lever in a vertical position and extend the lip
- Turn off electrical power.
- Place barricades and warning signs at the maintenance site
Maintenance ensures that your dock leveler remains up-to-date. Your expenditure on maintenance will be valuable as your dock leveler is likely to develop lesser problems, saving you money on costly repairs. Also, ensure the maintenance personnel belong to a trusted loading dock manufacturer.
Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines
You should not fail to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines of your dock leveller. It is one of the best ways to avoid problems with your dock leveller.
As part of following the manufacturer’s guidelines, you should:
- Examine the roller track for correct form and clear any unknown objects.
- Remove any devices connected to the dock leveler
- Ensure the lifting brackets and mounting structure are intact
- Install the carriage slowly
- Use chains and lifting equipment to carry the dock leveler
Where to Buy a Dock Leveler?
You should be careful while buying a dock leveler for your business. And, you need to ensure that you choose a trusted and reliable manufacturer for your purchase.
You can choose Sabtech, a trusted and excellent loading dock manufacturer in Saudi Arabia. Sabtech’s best-in-class dock levelers are easy to operate and necessitate minimal maintenance. The ideal Saudi Arabia Loading Dock Equipment is the safest loading dock choice with a lip control feature. It allows you to extend the lip or stop the platform at any time during leveler travel.
The features of dock levelers of Sabtech, the best Dock Levelers supplier in Saudi Arabia, are:
- Automatic free-fall protection to stop rapid leveler descent
- Standard capacities are 6t & 8t (customizable up to 45t)
- Seal beneath and around dock leveler optional
- Standard 12-month warrant
Why Sabtech for Maintenance Purposes?
In addition to manufacturing the best-in-class dock leveler, Sabtech also provides after sales services to its customers.
When your dock leveler needs any repair, you should contact Sabtech to repair your equipment.
Sabtech has competent repair technicians who are experienced in repairing dock levelers to customers’ best satisfaction.
Conclusion
An investment in a dock leveler can help efficiently run your business. But, the performance of your dock leveler depends on how you avoid problems with the equipment. A problematic dock leveler can affect the performance of the equipment and shorten its lifespan.
