Dock Plates

What are dock plates?
Dock plates are lightweight loading dock ramps designed to be very portable and easy for one person to position. Their primary function is to provide a bridge for non-powered material handling equipment such as pallet jacks, hand trucks, platform trucks, and dollies. Some can support weights of up to 12,000 pounds, but they are NEVER to be used for a forklift or any kind of motorized vehicle support.

Are dock plates the same as dock boards?
Dock plates look similar dockboards and also work as bridges between the surface of an elevated loading dock and the back of a trailer car. However, dock plates are designed only for hand-operated handling tools that are dock boards. Dockboards are heavy duty loading ramps that are usually made from steel. They are designed for forklift and other motorized vehicle traffic to and from the surface of an elevated dock.

Are dock plates steel or aluminum?
Easy Rack Dock plates are manufactured made from diamond deck aluminum that is extra strong and helps prevent water, oil, debris, and snow from piling up on the plate. Diamond deck aluminum provides traction for both work boots and pallet jack wheels, and it makes the unit a great deal sturdier. Aluminum dock plates are easy for one person to handle because of their light weight. For manual positioning, it is best that you use an EZ-Roll to wheel the plate into place. When you are using a forklift to position the unit, you can wrap safety chains around it that allow it to be lifted, moved, and lowered into place.

How do I determine what weight capacity I need?
To determine the correct weight capacity, add the weight of your largest material handling device to the maximum load you will be transporting. Find a dock plate whose weight capacity exceeds this total amount. This is a common sense precaution against possible overloading on the part of workers in a hurry. People do not always pay attention to how many items they stack on a hand truck or pallet jack, so it is always a good idea to use a dock plate that is stronger than what is apparently needed.

How do I select the correct dimensions?
To determine dock plate width, add 8” to the total overall width of the load and equipment. For example, the most common sized pallet is 48” L X 40” W. Adding 8” to the width determines dock plate size to be 48”. This calculation works with both hand trucks and pallet jacks regardless of the materials loaded. Length calculation is a bit more complicated. Each dock plate has what is called a “maximum height differential” that refers to the difference between the maximum height of the loading dock and the truck floor. The shorter the board is; the more limited its use. The longer the board, the greater the number of dock applications it can be used for.

Do you have used equipment?
Yes. In fact, anything you find on our website we can locate in good, used condition. Used aluminum models can save companies up to 40% on their purchase cost. Steel dock plates can be obtained as well per special request.

Are you looking for a loading dock equipment company? Easy Rack also carries a wide variety of commercial & industrial netting, used pallet racks, commercial shelving, material handling equipment, commercial lighting,and modular prefab 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.

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