Wheel Risers

What are wheel risers?
Wheel risers are special ramps that fit underneath the wheels of smaller trucks. Many smaller vehicles, such city bobtails, can be as low as 47”—approximately 3”-5” lower than the standard dock height. Wheel risers have to be placed under these trucks in order to make them higher than the docks. This is because it is much safer to drive a forklift up a ramp, and loading ramps themselves are more stable when the sloping portion of the ramp remains in the dock and the break over fits in the truck. Otherwise, the dockboard has to be reversed, with the sloping side of the board going into the back of the truck. This is both unsafe and in many cases impractical, because if the truck is full there will not be enough room for the board to go into the trailer bed.

How does a wheel riser work?
It basically lifts up the back of the truck so that its trailer bed is now higher than the edge of the dock, allowing it to be loaded like an over the road truck. If you have a 50 inch high dock and a 47 inch high bobtail, 5” wheel risers will make the bobtail 2” higher than the dock, allowing you to use your dockboard or dock plate as intended just as you would when loading a larger vehicle.

When do you need a wheel riser then?
During the course of the day, loading dock crews are driving fork trucks up the dockboard at an average of 2” into an over the road trailer. If on occasions a smaller truck pulls up and you have to reverse your dockboard, this can be done safely if you are very careful. However, if throughout the day you are CONSISTENTLY having to go down from the dock to the truck, you really need steel wheel risers to elevate the truck high enough to create an incline equivalent to that of an over the road truck.

This will then allow you to keep the long side of the board inside the building and position the ramp as it is meant to work. We have many sizes of wheel risers available to accommodate your application. Manufactured in both steel and aluminum, they come in a variety of sizes and capacities that start at 30,000 lbs. We sell units as high as 12” in height that you can order from your material handling specialist, and widths range from 18” to 24” across to provide a stable, sturdy support for truck tires.

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.

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.

Our main office is deep in the heart of Texas with associates located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including New York NY, Los Angeles CA, Miami, FL. Chicago, IL. Denver CO., New Orleans, La., Cleveland, Ohio, Kansas City, Mo., Mesa, Arizona, Virginia Beach, Va., Omaha, Nebraska, Oakland, California, Miami, Florida, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Arlington, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, Denton, TX, McKinney, Texas, Midland, TX, Killeen, Texas, Dallas TX DFW, San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, ALBQ, NYC, LA, MPLS.

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.

Dockboards

Loading ramps are metal boards and plates that bridge the gap between a building or dock and a truck bed. Mobile loading ramps are used in every industry and in every market place. They are common in agriculture, military factories, building, warehousing, and distribution. They are designed to make loading and unloading of trucks as fast and as safe as possible. Some loading ramps are designed specifically for rail cars, but the majority of these ramps are made for trucks and trailer beds. In certain situations, specialty loading dock equipment such as wheel risers and steel platforms may also need to maximize safety and process flow.

Dockboards
Dock Boards are loading ramps that bridge the gap between the dock and the truck to make loading and unloading safe. Dockboards are designed to handle power equipment like fork trucks. They have curbs on the sides to prevent vehicle runoffs and to provide additional structure and capacity. Because they must support vehicles as well as products and workers, most models are made of heavy duty steel, although Easy Rack also supplies lightweight aluminum models when appropriate and necessary. Capacities range from 6,000 to 40,000 lbs.

Dock Plates Aluminum
A / B Plates made are manual loading ramps made from high grade "diamond deck" aluminum. Although they closely resemble dockboards, never confuse the two. Aluminum dockboards or dock plates are designed for hand trucks and pallet jacks only.

Edge-of-Dock Levelers
These loading ramps are designed for high use docks that were originally constructed without pit mounted levelers. They are ideal for fork truck traffic that is from 5” below dock level to 5” above dock level. LTL and truck traffic also go much faster with levelers in place. Molded bumpers and a mechanical spring operation take the heavy work out of the lifting. This unique design also helps ensure the unit is correctly positioned each time it is used.

Steel Yard Ramps
These loading ramps are used for loading trucks from the ground, either because there is no truck high dock present, or because there are more trucks than docks. Yard ramps are portable and can be towed with a forklift. A hydraulic pump allows the height of the yard ramp to be adjusted, and deep side members prevent forklift runoff.

Mini Loading Ramps
These loading ramps offer an economical solution when the target height is ½ or less that of normal dock heights (generally 33” or less). Capacities start at 12,000 lbs and range upward. The mini ramp can be ordered with an optional mobility package that eliminates the need for a hydraulic actuated undercarriage to move the unit. Minis can be used with manual equipment and fork trucks. Capacities start at 12,000 lbs with standard and custom sizes available.

Hook & Apron Walkramps
These aluminum loading ramps are designed for foot traffic, hand trucks, and pallet jacks moved by hand. Standard lengths run from 3' to 16'and two widths of 29" or 39".

Wheel Riser Dockboards
If the dock is too high for incoming trucks, wheel risers fit under truck wheels so the bed can be positioned properly above dock for safer and faster loading.

Steel Dockboard Platforms
Steel dockboard platforms allow facilities to enlarge their dock areas installing platforms incrementally one at a time or by ganging them together to expand dock space significantly.

Easy Rack carries a wide variety of loading ramps, 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.

Our home office is located in Houston, Texas with warehouses located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including New York NY, Los Angeles CA, Miami, FL. Chicago, IL. Denver CO., New Orleans, La., Cleveland, Ohio, Kansas City, Mo., Mesa, Arizona, Virginia Beach, Va., Omaha, Nebraska, Oakland, California, Miami, Florida, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Arlington, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, Denton, TX, McKinney, Texas, Midland, TX, Killeen, Texas, Dallas TX DFW, San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, ALBQ, NYC, LA, MPLS

Aluminum & Steel Loading Dockboards

Aluminum dockboards are designed to connect dock floors to the back floors of trailers and offer a safe, economical way to load and unload trucks. Dock boards have safety curbs on either side of the ramp that prevent material handling tools from rolling off the sides while loading and unloading trucks. Aluminum dock boards offer a lightweight, yet sturdy bridge between dock and truck and are manufactured in full compliance with all OSHA regulations. They are a must have for every shipping and receiving department that routinely man handles heavy loads and uses loading ramps.

The size of your commercial dock board will depend on the height differential between trailer and the loading dock itself, and the width and axle capacity of your forklift, pallet rack, hand truck, or platform truck. To save a step, call an Easy Rack loading dock experts and provide this information over the phone. Our material handling specialists will help you determine the size of the aluminum dockboard best suited to your needs.

Aluminum Dockboard with Welded Aluminum Curbs
A well made dockboard is engineered and built for maximum safety while handling heavy forklifts and loads. Locking legs prevent them from moving during loading and unloading operations. Welded aluminum safety curbs prevent accidental falls and provide a visible driving lane. The locking legs are unevenly placed, allowing the dock board to sit canted while not in use. This makes it easier for forklifts to pick it up. These dock boards are manufactured in compliance with OSHA. The bend measures 11° and 9" from the edge, and the legs are 12" from the edge.

Aluminum Dockboard with Steel Curbs
This dockboard combines maximum strength, safety, and portability. Its deck is made of tough aluminum tread plate and features structural steel safety curbs with tapered ends. The beveled design of the edges allows for smooth entry and exit, and the tread plate design ensures positive traction. Legs are 12” from the edge and are bolted to give the unit increased durability. Legs are also canted for fork truck portability.

Formed Aluminum Dockboards
This dockboard features unique, formed aluminum side curbs that combine the benefits of strength and lightweight portability. The tread plate offers better traction, and the side curbs are painted safety yellow. As with other dockboards, beveled entry and exit edge offer convenient and smooth movement across the surface.

Aluminum Hand Truck Dockboard
This dockboards is lightweight and can be carried and positioned by hand. It can bear up to 800 pounds of weight and can be used with two wheel hand trucks. Total plate thickness of the unit measures only 3/16”. Its welded aluminum, diamond tread surface, and beveled edges provide safe and smooth entry and exit. The bend in the surface is intended to keep ramp edges flush with the surface of the dock and with the dock floor. Each unit is equipped with bolted, locking legs. In order to decrease the chance of roll off, full length aluminum curbs line the sides of the unit.

Having trouble locating the loading dock supplies you are looking for?
Contact us toll free at 1-888-776-3720 and we will find it for you. Click here to read customer reviews of our service and products in our testimonials section, or visit our material handling blog for more material handling information.

Where are you located?
Our hub is located in Houston, Texas with regional facilities located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including Memphis, Tennessee, Baltimore, Maryland, Irving, Texas, Amarillo, TX, Brownsville, Texas, Grand Prairie, TX, Pasadena, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas., El Paso, Texas., Charlotte, N.C, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seattle, Washington, Boston, Massachusetts, Denver, Colorado, Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky.