Portable Docks

Exactly what are portable docks?
Portable docks are actually steel platforms that are designed for use with yard ramps. They are mostly used in rural or remote construction areas and in agricultural areas where produce is packaged in the field and shipped directly to market.

When were portable docks first used?
Portable docks were first used in the home building industry in upstate New York. Building crews needed a way to quickly unload rail cars and get materials and supplies to the construction site. To trim transportation expenses and save time, they began to lease real estate next to rail yards and section it off to create offloading zones for trucks. Portable docks, dock plates and yard ramps where then brought in to allow fork truck access to rail cars.

What are portable docks used for today?
Portable docks have since found their way into all sorts of on site applications in the construction industry. They also play a very important role in agriculture. Grocers no longer wish to ship produce to packaging facilities because of high fuel costs. It is much more economical to box or palletize produce in the field and load it onto rail cars and refrigerator trucks via portable docks.

Portable docks have also become very popular with companies who are leasing a warehouse or a factory that they are beginning to outgrow. These companies often must either pour concrete to add new dock space, use loading ramps or install portable docks. While the cost of either option may in many cases be equivalent to the other (depending upon the amount of dock space needed and the number of platforms necessary to create it), organizations that invest in portable docks can get a return on their investment by reselling them, or they can keep them and move them to new facilities as they expand.

Can a single platform be used as a portable dock?
Yes, a portable dock can function as a standalone steel platform. However, is much more common to connect several units together and create the equivalent of a concrete dock. The exception to this is rail yards with limited space. In many such environments, fork trucks have to run parallel to rail cars and do not have enough room to turn from the yard ramp into the car. In these instances, a single portable dock at the end of the yard ramp can allow a forklift to make a safe 90 degree turn.

Can portable docks be customized?
Absolutely. Steel platform docks are custom built to the exact height needed by the client. They can be made with either fixed legs or adjustable legs on one or both sides. These units are usually connected together to create a large, outdoor, solid platform. For example, if a client wants a 16X32 dock, 4 or 5 edge of docks mounted, and a yard ramp, we will ship 8 portable docks with a splice plate that overlays the units and creates a single, solid surface.

What all does Easy Rack sell other than loading dock equipment?
Easy Rack has a wide variety of new & used pallet racks, material handling equipment, commercial lighting, used pallet racks, 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.

Our home office is located in Houston, Texas with regional distribution centers located in all 50 States including New York NY, Los Angeles CA, Miami, FL. Chicago, IL. Denver CO., Dallas TX, San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Boise ID, Atlanta GA, Albuquerque NM, Raleigh-Durham NC, Washington DC, Albuquerque NM, Huntsville AL, Fayetteville AR, Norfolk VA & Madison WI.