Easyrack Walk Ramps Come In Several Sizes To meet your Needs

Posted on by June 7, 2013

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 281-342-0200 and let us help you find exactly what you need to make your organization grow.

What Is A Dock Plate And Why Use One?

Posted on by April 19, 2013

Aluminum Dock Plate From BluffIt is a metal ramp that bridges a gap between a loading dock or warehouse floor and a truck or van. They are most commonly available as either steel or aluminum dock plates. It bridges the open space that occurs when different heights of trucks back up to a loading dock. The dock plate provides a strong, flat surface where workers can walk or push a handcart across.

 Where are aluminum dock plates used?

They are used in warehouses and loading dock areas where non-powered loading equipment is used for loading and unloading trucks. 

What are they used for?

They are used to close up an open space between a truck and a loading dock floor. Trucks that deliver warehouse goods are of varying heights which makes it challenging and dangerous for workers to load and unload between dock and truck as these height and distance differences leave a gap between the loading floor and the truck bed. Dock plates bridge this gap by providing a ramp to walk across. This ramp needs to be able to safely bear the weight loads of these deliveries. 

What benefits do aluminum dock plates hold over steel?

They provide an affordable lighter weight alternative to steel that holds up to weather as well as heavy workloads. Lighter weight makes the aluminum easier to handle and allows them to be more portable than steel. Aluminum is more affordable than a steel dockplate, allowing them to fit easier into a warehouse budget. Aluminum requires far less maintenance than steel and will stand up to weather conditions well. Even though aluminum is lightweight, it provides durable weight-bearing strength to ensure safety while loading and unloading with non-powered loading and unloading tools.

What should you know before you decide to buy one that is right for your loading dock?

Each company should carefully assess their loading dock needs before purchasing a dock plate. Our representatives can help you select an aluminum dock plate that is right for your warehouse needs.

The Utility and Variety of Truck Dockboards

Posted on by September 24, 2013

Can Loading Dock Boards Safe Me Time & Money?Truck dock boards can make or break your day on the warehouse dock. Some days, without them, you won’t get any loading or unloading done.

Truck Dockboards Make Any Trailer Fit Your Dock.

Truck trailers are usually built to exacting specifications, as are warehouse docks, so that they match in height. However, sometimes, like when non-standard tires are used on the trailer, they don’t match up. With a truck dock ramp, that’s not a problem though. You can load and unload with ease.

Trailer Bumpers Can Interfere with Proper Docking.

There are going to be occasions, like when the nerf bars on the trailer are too long, when the gap between the dock and trailer is too big for forklifts and pallet jacks to roll across. Slap a truck dock board into place and that gap almost magically disappears.

Drivers That Drop and Go Can Cause Loading and Unloading Problems.

Some loads don’t have to be signed for when the driver drops them off. When a driver has this kind of load, he’s most likely going to back up to the dock, unhook, and run to get his next load. And sometimes, they don’t do the best job docking their trailer, leaving an uneven gap that only a set of truck dock ramps can bridge.

Choose from Different Types of Truck Dock Ramps.

Basically, you can choose from two main kinds of truck dock boards: those that are built into the dock, and those that are portable. The built-in kind can either be manual or automatic in their method of deployment. The portable kind comes in a wide variety of types: those with side guards, those without, heavy-duty, lightweight, and quite a few more.

Before going out and buying any truck dockboards, you need to analyze your needs and decide which type better suits those needs most economically.

What Organizations Can Benefit From Heavy Duty Stock Carts

Posted on by September 24, 2013

Aluminum Folding CartsWhat organizations need heavy duty stock carts?
Users range from medical institutions to correctional facilities. Manufacturers, repair shops, and distribution centers also use them extensively. Applications vary widely per facility type. In medical institutions, they are used more for transport than they are for typical stocking. Distributors use them for stocking and transport, and some truck drivers use them for delivery large quantities of stock to customers. The basic design is simple, and the all-aluminum construction makes the unit more versatile than equivalent models made from heavier metals. Cart weight, unloaded, is relatively light, so the unit can be used to move smaller loads as well as very large loads. If your organization is on a budget, you might want to think about buying heavy duty so you can have both contingencies covered.

What features do heavy duty stock carts have?
Most have a handle that allows the user to push the unit forward. Very large carts with more than 3 shelves are guided by gripping the vertical struts of the frame on either side. Rigid casters in the back keep the unit stable. Swivel casters in the front allow for sharp turns without collisions, tip-over, or spillage. Typically, a cart has two or three shelves that can individually support at least 500 lbs. By our definition, “heavy-duty” includes any stock or utility cart with a total unit capacity of at least 1,000 lbs. Some carts have up to 6 shelves, however, and can accommodate loads of up to 3,000 lbs. Carts are made from tubular aluminum for combined light weight, and solid shelves, for stability and support. Marine edges on shelves make them stronger and help better contain loads.

Can heavy duty stock carts be customized?
Yes. We have lugs that increase volume without consuming space. There are also special casters you can accessorize your cart with. Carts for correctional institutions also can be fitted with tamper-proof screws. Also, due to the variety of models we carry, some customization options and accessories are specific to that product model. Ask your sales representative about specific accessories or custom features your organization needs.

Heavy Duty Utility Cart FAQ
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Posted on by September 24, 2013


What type of warranty do heavy duty utility carts carry?
All carts are sold with a lifetime warranty against corrosion and rust. Workmanship and bacterial defects are warranted for a five year period.

What models do you sell?
We have a two-tiered model which can be used in commercial, industrial, storage, distribution, and medical environments.

We have a three-tiered model which is designed specifically for use in correctional facilities of various types. This model is manufactured with an all-welded design that eliminates the need for rivets. Shelf lips are also hemmed as an anti-ligature safety measure.

How are heavy duty utility carts used in different applications?
In corporate environments, they are typically used to transport large computer servers, audio-visual equipment, and speakers used in seminars, presentations, and workshops.
In warehousing, they are used to move containers that weigh several hundred pounds.
Distribution centers use them to quickly move heavy materials to loading bays, where they are then loaded onto trucks for transport.
Hospitals use them to move heavy equipment to patient rooms, laboratories, and intensive care units.
Cold storage units use them to move food supplies in and out of freezers.
Repair shops use these carts to move heavy engine parts and special tools.
The versatility, stability, and maneuverability of these units make them ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

What type of metal is used to manufacture these carts?
The standard material is heavy duty aluminum. The cart frame is made from wall tubing, and shelves are made from .080” aluminum sheets. Stainless steel carts can be special ordered for applications regulated by clean room standards.

What is the maximum storage capacity of heavy duty utility carts?
That depends on whether the cart is moving or stationary.
On our two-tiered models, each shelf features a 1,500 weight capacity.
If stationary, the cart can temporarily support up to 3,000 lbs.
However, for purposes of ergonomics and safe maneuverability, carts are rated at a rolling capacity of 2,000 lbs. We recommend you never load the cart beyond this capacity in the event that someone may need to move the cart unexpectedly.

Weight capacities on correction cart shelves are rated at 540 lbs.

Types Of Folding Carts Available Today!

Posted on by April 24, 2014

Aluminum Folding CartsSmaller, AKA “low boy” or “L shaped” stock carts
These folding utility carts are used by employees to move products from storage rooms to operational areas.  In retail outfits, they are used by store clerks to stock shelves.  In restaurants, they are used to move boxes of frozen foods from cold storage to kitchen areas.  In nursing homes, they are utilized to move patient care products from the supply room to patient care areas.  Medical facilities also use them to move those little boxes of free samples that doctors give us before we actually have to pay for our prescriptions.  Offices use them to stock office supply store rooms.  The key features of this type of cart are compact design, lightweight build, and a light load capacity that any person of any physique can easily maneuver.

Heavy Duty Folding Utility CartHeavy Duty Folding Utility Carts with Two Handles
This category of carts is used to move loads weighing up to 1,500 pounds.  They are built with handles on both ends so two operators can balance and guide extremely heavy loads.  Their most popular use is in warehouses where fork trucks cannot be used either because of size limitations of the actual building, or because the warehouse is so full that larger vehicles cannot easily maneuver in crowded spaces.  Two handle designs are not just built with human safety in mind, although that always is our first consideration in material handling products.  The two handle design also allows two users to better balance a load which would inevitably suffer damage or breakage if it tips off the platform.  Fragile items, even if they are not very heavy, may require a two-handled cart to minimize the possibilities of breakage.

Route Delivery Folding Utility Carts
These carts look like smaller “L Shaped” stock carts, but they are designed for bulk delivery and therefore both weigh more and can handle more weight, than smaller stock carts.  More often than not, they are used to transport groups of identical items, such as packs of bottled water, packs of beer, frozen foods in boxes, cleaning products, and office products.  Their specific, intended use is to move these products off of delivery trucks directly to the storeroom of a store, restaurant, or office.

Heavy Duty Dolly & Hand Trucks?

Posted on by September 24, 2013
Heavy Duty Hand Truck & Hand DolliesWhat is the difference between pneumatic tires and flat free tires?
A pneumatic tire has thicker rubber than standard tires.  This outer rubber wall surrounds a core of compressed air.
This makes them more easy to steer, and it better stabilizes sensitive loads which often vibrate lose when rolled across uneven surfaces on standard tires.
A flat free tire is a solid rubber tire that does not require inflation.
While it is not technically puncture resistant, it is effectively puncture resistant in the sense that a hole in its surface does not affect its maneuverability.
If you are having problems with flats, we recommend purchasing dolly hand trucks with flat free wheels.
If you are working with delicate loads that are becoming unbalanced and potentially hazardous from excessive vibrations, then stainless steel or aluminum handtrucks with pneumatic wheels will better minimize the risk of product breakage.
How do you safely get a fully loaded dolly hand truck up the stairs?
We recommend that you purchase a stainless steel or aluminum handtruck that features a set of three wheels on either side that are mounted to a central rotating axis.  When the truck is at rest, the third wheel sits above the other two.  It turns harmoniously with the two bottom wheels when you are moving across a flat surface.  When you encounter an obstruction like a curb or a stairway, the rotating access moves the topmost wheel forward, allowing the entire assembly to literally climb over the obstruction without unbalancing the load.
What stainless steel or aluminum handtruck is most maneuverable in cold storage units?
We recommend investing in a dolly hand truck that features four multi-directional wheels under the base.  This will allow you to steer the unit in any direction, including side to side, without having to turn to do so.  In tight spaces, this allows you to move the load sideways first, then at an angle, before you have to turn on your feet in the new direction.  Not only does this maneuverability make it more ergonomic for you to work in crowded clean room and cold storage environments, but it makes it much easier to accurately deliver loads when working on a tight schedule under pressure.

Manage Your Own Snow Removal With A Fork Mounted Snow Plow Blade

Posted on by September 17, 2013
You can manage your own snow removal with fork mounted snow plow blades.  These innovative, multi-functional, and ergonomic devices free you from dependence on municipally coordinated, daily snow removal.  Additionally, they allow you to reach certain portions of your property that larger snow plows may not be able to easily access.  By investing in these forklift attachments now, you can give your facility the best means of preventing mission critical downtime this winter during those inevitable times of severe, inclement weather.
It is easy to install these fork truck extensions.  Like most extensions, they are built with fork pockets on the rear of the assembly.Fork tines slide into these pockets and a plow attaching chain then wraps around the fork carriage to keep the assembly stable.  (For maximum stability, you can also invest in a counterweight that is sold separately).  Once the attachment is secured, you never have to leave your seat to adjust or operate your fork mounted snow plow blades.  The assembly is equipped with a rotating board and pivot shear pin that allows you to manipulate the angle of the blade from a seated position.  If you hit an obstacle, or if you are working on uneven terrain, trip springs allow the blade to glide over these obstructions without being damaged, and without slowing you down.
In addition to plowing snow, the attachment also has the ability to grade and back grade areas.  This makes this forklift attachment truly multifunctional in application.  You can use it to clear roadways leading to and from your docks, grade areas around your docks, and keep outdoor storage areas clear of snow so materials that may be threatened by extreme temperatures can be quickly accessed and moved back into the warehouse or onto cargo trucks for quick shipment.
The best thing about fork mounted snow plow blades is they can be used as many times in a day as you can spare a single fork truck and fork truck operator to maneuver them.  Daily snow clearing teams come by once, maybe twice a day.  If snow continues throughout the day intermittently, you can clear your property of snow banks as often as you wish with your own existing equipment and staff.

Three Ways to Maximize Warehouse Storage Space with Commercial Storage Racks

Posted on by September 25, 2013

Heavy Duty Storage ShelvingPerhaps the most expedient way to maximize warehouse space in your building is to invest in commercial storage racks.  If you are already using racks or steel shelving systems to a point, we encourage you to reassess both your facility and your current storage equipment.  Many times, organizations find they can further increase floor space by changing over to different types of racks.

The first thing to do is to take measurements of your current wall space.  Aside from clearance areas that are required for safe transit through doors and entrances, practically any wall area can be converted to a storage area with the right type of shelving system.  More often than not, however, companies buy the cheapest shelves and use them in these places to store lighter items, various industrial fluids, and miscellaneous tools.  A better use of this space would be to move wide span shelving systems along walls, or to purchase a series of shelf units that can be lined in series along the wall.  If you are already using wide span shelves arranged in aisles in your primary storage area, consider moving at least some of these to wall areas and taking a second look at your available vertical cube.

Commercial storage racks are more efficient in high ceiling environments because they make maximum use of the available vertical cube.  Heavy duty shelving is typically used in low ceiling environments that cannot house larger racks.  However, there are many varieties of racking systems that can be fitted to mid-range ceiling heights in small and medium sized buildings.  Before you assume that you don’t have the necessary room for a pallet rack or even a heavy duty storage rack, call us to see what systems could be utilized for your particular storage application requirements.

Our philosophy hinges upon gaining a clear understanding of the application, and the environment of the application, before we recommend any specific type of product.  This is especially true when designing racking systems for our clients.  Considerations must be made for accessibility, inventory control, safety, and the most efficient methods of storing particular types of palletized items.  Systems also exist for non-palletized items which may be even more helpful to your space consolidation needs.  If you are looking for storage for store lumber, pipes, or furniture, call us about cantilever racking options for your facility.  By gaining a detailed understanding of your inventory and a clear understanding of the floor plan of your building, we can match a new or used commercial storage rack to each specific aspect of your process flow.

Do we really need a Steel Shelving System?

Posted on by September 25, 2013

Do we really need a Steel Shelving System?

More than likely, the answer is yes.  Steel offers a sturdy platform on which you can reliably store heavy materials within the parameters of the weight capacity of the unit.  Provided the construction methods used to assemble the unit are sound, you will also have a very stable storage area that can remain steady while you are organizing and/or retrieving materials from the shelf.  Cheap systems can be very dangerous at this time.  Many can easily hold the weight of the items you place on them, but when you begin to pull items off the shelf, they begin to wobble.  We personally believe more injuries result from cheap shelves tipping over than result from materials falling from the shelves.  Some would debate this, but the point is that stability is equal in importance to weight capacity.

Are your shelf units more stable than others?

Yes.  2 rivet construction at the top and bottom of the unit reinforce the stability of the unit in the front and the back.  Individual shelves are held firmly in place without the need for a reinforcing X-brace.  Workers can access our steel shelving systems from all four sides without having to reach over a brace, fumble around for materials, and risk destabilizing the unit.  More materials can also be stored on both the wide span and standard shelves than competing models with X-braces that block access to entire sections of the interior.

What if we have gotten this far without shelves?

Workers risk injuries to their backs when they have to retrieve products from the floor.  This occurs mostly in facilities where light materials and/or small boxes are stored on the floor.  People do not realize that back injuries can occur with even light weight materials.  Furthermore, products are more easily misplaced or damaged when they are stored on floors.   Many organizations leave products on pallets in the back of their warehouse.  While this is a safer way to store stock, problems arise when workers have to itemize or retrieve stock from pallets in the back.

We have a lot of traffic in our warehouse.  Where would we put shelves?

Steel shelving systems can be arranged in rows or they can be placed along walls.  Because they allow access from both sides, many companies join several shelf units at the end to create rows of shelves.  These rows can be wide enough to allow forklifts to drive between them.