Dock levelers are important products, and like all valuable pieces of equipment, they experience a ton of wear and tear. As this wear and tear add up, dock levelers will begin to make things a bit more difficult to do than before. If you’re a bustling company in Canada, it’s easy to ignore the levelers and throw them on the back burner. But a few minutes of reading is all it takes to prevent loading dock issues and familiarize yourself with the signs of leveler troubles.
The Importance of a Loading Dock Leveler
Dock levelers are one of the most important features when loading and unloading trucks. They bridge the gap between loading docks and trucks and can be raised or lowered depending on the vehicle. Without levelers, products won’t have the stability to traverse the island between trucks and facilities. Many of these products are filled with features, including the ability to withstand heavy loads, improve safety throughout the warehouse, absorb bumps during the loading process, and be operated with virtually no maintenance.
Upgrade Your Leveler When Safety and Efficiency Are at Risk
When in doubt, consider the safety and efficiency of your organization. Those are the main benefits of levelers, so if yours starts to go bad, it can compromise both facets. Levelers usually last 5-7 years, but not every product is the same. Keep a close eye out for any level problems by getting preventative maintenance. This will also keep your levelers operating efficiently.
Damaged Beam Welds
Whether you have a hydraulic leveler or a mechanical dock leveler, proper beam welds protect its structural integrity. Sturdy beams keep your levelers secure and give them the ability to withstand the various loads they endure. Damaged beam welds occur over time, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore any issues. Even small cracks and damage can lead to major problems in the future and can be the first sign that your equipment is outdated.
Oil Build-Up
If your dock leveler is used for extended cycles (or if you haven’t checked it recently), it’s important to check your dock pit. The dock pit is the sunken opening on your facilities floor that houses the loading dock levelers. Over time, oil from damaged power packs or hoses can lead to a buildup of oil only visible when it starts to interfere with operations. Before being forced to replace your dock because of a common dock leveler issue, check on the status of the dock pit after heavy use or after an extended period of not observing the condition of the leveler.
The Dock Is Above or Below Floor Level
The loading dock must be perfectly aligned with the floor. You have major issues if your dock is above or below the floor level and won’t go further. One that’s above floor level can make it impossible to transfer goods and products without damaging them. A dock below floor level can cause unassuming employees to trip or fall.
The Lip Won’t Fully Extend
The loading dock lever lip fully extends to create a bridge between trucks and the warehouse. If your lip won’t fully extend, it renders your loading dock useless. There usually isn’t one set problem that causes failures with the dock lip, and you certainly shouldn’t attempt to solve the problem yourself. Reach out to a professional loading dock leveler repair company for assistance with faulty lips or any of the other issues above.
Prevent Injuries and Keep Your Business Running Smoothly With Dock Leveler Service From One of Canada’s Finest
Broken dock levelers leave businesses in uncomfortable positions. Not only will they postpone operations, but they lead to difficulties making money and risk injuries to employees. Preventing these costly problems is done with help from a high-quality door company like Wilcox Door Service. To fix damaged loading docs, contact us today for commercial door and loading dock services, or explore our variety of loading dock equipment to find the highest quality products for your business.
