Yard Ramps

What is a yard ramp?
It is a type of loading dock ramp that allows a forklift to enter a shipping containers or truck trailer in from a facility that lacks an elevated loading dock or it allows a forklift to move from an elevated dock onto the ground. Pneumatic wheels on the ramp allows it to be moved into place by fork trucks, and hydraulic pumps built into the unit enable workers to position it at the precise height of a truck trailer bed, rail car, or loading dock.

What features to Easy Rack yard ramps have?
All commercial ramps (both dock to ground and ground to truck) are manufactured with an all steel welded construction. Weight capacities vary from 16,000 to 60,000 pounds and a wide range of length and width sizes available. Serrated grating gives the ramp excellent traction and prevents water, snow, oil, grease and miscellaneous debris from building up. The lower end approach plate provides maximum support and smooth transition onto the ramp grating surface. Heavy-duty formed steel side girders provide main load-bearing capability, and deep side members prevent forklift runoff.

What are yard ramps used for?
Yard ramps are essential for any warehouse or factory that was built without an elevated dock ramp. They allow work crews to bridge the gap between the building and the trailer and safely move supplies off the truck by forklifts. This is much more convenient, quicker, and more cost effective than unloading and loading containers by hand. In other cases, however, the reverse may be true. A building with a large outdoor stockyard may require a forklift to move from the loading dock onto the ground to either retrieve or organize supplies outdoors. This is often seen in shipyards and rail yards, and it requires a dock to ground ramp to allow vehicles to safely move from the dock to the yard.

How do I know what size yard ramp to choose?
The size of the ramp you purchase will depend upon a number of factors relative to the weight of the heaviest forklift and the heaviest load being moved along the ramp. Easy Rack recommends you select a unit that is three times the rated capacity of the lift truck it supports. Rail yards require a 36’ unit that includes a level off. Standard dock to ground units typically measure 30’ straight. When deciding on the width of the yard ramp to use, it should always be 15” wider than the widest equipment moved along its surface.

Can yard ramps be customized?
Yes. In fact, we recommend that any organization working multiple shifts and who are moving a wide variety of material types and equipment contact a specialist to discuss additional components that can be used to increase the stability, safety, and functionality of these units. These customization options include, but are not limited to, safety chains, ramp clamps, and tow bars.

Easy Rack carries a wide variety of shelves, dock loading equipment, commercial shelving, material handling equipment, commercial lighting, used pallet racks, commercial Christmas lighting and modular buildings installed nationwide.If you can not find what you are looking for call us toll free at 1-888-776-3720 and we will find it for you. Read our testimonials section, product reviews or visit our material handling blog to learn more about Easy Rack.

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