Friday, November 7, 2008

Heavy Duty Truck Loading Ramps

Shipping yards and construction sites that do not have permanent docks need another method of loading up truck trailers. Truck loading ramps are excellent tools for this. You can use them to safely and quickly load up any truck no matter where you are, because they function exactly like concrete loading ramps on permanent docks—they can both forklifts and workers on foot with pallet jacks.

Different sizes of truck loading ramps exist for a wide range of applications. They are made from either steel or aluminum, but some frame loading dock ramps have steel grating on the surface for extra strength. Both steel and aluminum offer different advantages. Determining whether or not you need steel or aluminum depends on many factors such as necessary weight capacity and the amount of portability you will require. If you have any questions about which material is best for you application, and Easy Rack specialist can help you.

Steel Truck Loading Ramps
Steel ramps will service a range between 45” to 62” and can b operated by a 2 speed hand crank. Weight capacitance ranges between 15,000lbs to 30,000lbs. The most commonly used steel truck loading ramp and ramps lengths are 30’ and 36’ lengths, both of which include a number of built in safety features that include positive steel traction grating, 4” high safety curbs, safety locking chains, rubber bumpers, on overlap lip of 15”, and optional welded hand rails.

Aluminum Truck Loading Ramps
Aluminum truck loading ramps can be ordered in 30ft straight incline or 36ft. incline with 6ft. level off. Weight capacities range from 16,000 lbs to 30,000 lbs. They are simple and safe units to use thanks to a number of beneficial features. A single worker can adjust the height with a hydraulic hand pump. The ramp is stabilized by rubber shock absorbers. Fork truck can move the ramp around the shipping yard by hooking up to an optional tow bar that you can have ordered with the unit. Every aluminum ramp comes with safety anchor chains, and custom steel grating can be fitted to the ramp if necessary.

Mobility
Many different tire types, including pneumatic tires, can be fitted to truck loading ramp. OSHA and ANSI call for all loading ramps to be attached to the truck with bolt locking chains prior to use. They can also be fitted with toe bars to allow forklifts to move them. In other instances, different accessories may need to be added to the ramp to allow a variety of vehicles to move it around the yard. These include loading dock levelers, towbar hitches, loops, and forklift pickup slots that we can install upon request.

Easy Rack carries a wide variety of 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, Tx.

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

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.

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.

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Monday, July 30, 2007

Easy Rack has commercial aluminum walk ramps in several sizes with accessories to meet your material handling needs.

Aluminum walk ramps provide an excellent means of safely moving heavy loads to and from your truck at locations using hand trucks or dollies. Our heavy duty commercial grade walk ramps feature an overlapping style that rests on the truck bed to hold the ramp securely in position. Walk ramps are very handy for landscapers, concrete contractors, carpenters and other craftsmen who frequently move heavy machines and equipment between job sites using trailers. Why use your back or risk getting hurt when you can use a ramp? Think about it!

Easy Rack's aluminum walk ramps come in several sizes and options to meet your material handling needs. The adjustable height wheel option, for example, is ideal for use with longer walk ramps. The height can be adjusted with a simple manual hand crank mechanism. The wheels are 10" x 31⁄2" pneumatic and are strategically located at balance points on ramp allowing for one-person positioning. The minimum ramp lowered height with this walk ramp option is 12".

EasyRack has Cart Options that provides for easy one-person ramp positioning and transportation. Just pull the handle up to rotate and lock wheels and lower the handle to allow for easy ramp movement. Push handle down to unlock and lift wheels so ramp can be used to service lower trailers. Pneumatic wheels are 10" x 31⁄2". Minimum ramp service height is 14" with this option. This accessory option requires easy bolt-on installation.

The open deck design of our walk ramps allows snow, ice and water to fall through ramp providing a positive grip for delivery men, shippers and receivers. The ramps are 100% welded aluminum construction, light-weight and will not rust. Ramps feature a 2" high safety curb on each side. Each unit includes two safety chains to connect ramp to trailer for safety.

Easy Rack also carries both essential and specialized material handling equipment designed to move product safely and quickly across floor space. We carry hand trucks, standard dollies, and pallet jacks for normal-size pallets and crates. We also supply specialty material handling carts and utility carts that prove very effective in moving specialized and sensitive equipment. For larger payloads too difficult to move safely with muscle alone, we also carry the latest models in electric pallet jacks and gasoline powered pallet trucks to provide that extra bit of power needed to avoid injury and quickly move materials without delay or damage. Need commercial lighting fixtures to go with those material handling supplies?

Call us today at 713-553-1122 and let us help you find exactly what you need to make your organization grow.

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