Lifting Equipment Store, the UK materials handling equipment supplier, has appointed Charmaine Jennings into a newly-created position of Export Manager.
Dock Equipment, safety systems and industrial door solutions
Dock equipment used in the distribution industry to make the loading bay area of a facility more accessible and to provide safe movement of goods in the dock area. The equipment is used to enable the safe loading and unloading at the distribution area ensuring that the goods at the rear of the truck are being unloaded or loaded at the same height as the receiving warehouse/distribution centre floor. Loading dock equipment includes elevating docks, dock levelers, dock boards, dock lights, bumpers, seals, shelters, vehicle restraints and industrial traffic doors.
Safety and planning must be embraced in 2021
Feb 15, 2021
By Will Dunn, CEO of Lifting Equipment Store, and President of Lifting Equipment Store USA.
The challenging circumstances created by COVID-19 have brought extreme pressure on offshore and onshore production and storage facilities to maintain top levels of safety and resilience.
Logistics Insights: Choosing the Best Type of Loading Bay
Jan 13, 2021
By James Murphy, freelance writer
Starting a logistics company or managing an existing one requires a lot of planning especially about vehicles and structures to be used. In addition to the warehouse where the goods are held or stored, you also need loading bays, which have numerous benefits.
British Ports Association welcomes Brexit trade deal but warns there will still be major changes for our trade with Europe
Jan 11, 2021
Responding to the news that the EU and the UK had reached an outline agreement on a future post Brexit deal, the British Ports Association has welcomed the continued tariff free trade but suggested that there will still be major impacts at the end of the transition.
TRL chooses Krone for Europa’s flexible loading trailers
Jan 07, 2021
TRL (Trailer Resources Ltd) the Hertfordshire-based contract hire and rental specialist, has supplied 10 Krone Dry Liner box vans to Europa Worldwide Group for its fast-expanding click and collect operation.
PD Ports donates £50,000 to charitable causes during COVID19
Jan 06, 2021
PD Ports has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the local community, donating £50,000 to various charities and initiatives across the UK throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Port of Tyne announces £1 million investment in cargo handling
Nov 10, 2020
The Port of Tyne, one of the UK’s leading deep-sea ports and a major employer in the region, has announced a £1 million investment in its wood pellet-handling operations.
The investment sees state-of-the-art equipment installed and a range of measures put in place to help combat dust emissions from the dry wood pellets it handles into the UK.
Hyster double container handling solution helps boost productivity at ports
Nov 04, 2020
With a Hyster Empty Container Handler, port operations can benefit from time and cost savings by handling two empty containers simultaneously. This double-handling capability provides advantages as organisations scale to handle growing demand, while controlling efficiency and costs.
LEEA launches Think Lifting ‘lesson in a bag’
Oct 06, 2020
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has launched the Think Lifting School Lesson. The ready to use ‘lesson in a bag’ includes films, content, experiments and leave behind hand-outs that will allow LEEA member companies to engage remotely with their local schools in order to help raise awareness of the Lifting Industry.
Crown Warehouse Solutions – the new comprehensive material handling solution from dock door to warehouse floor
Oct 05, 2020
Crown, one of the world’s largest material-handling companies, has expanded its product offering to provide customers with an extensive range of warehouse solutions, helping them improve throughput, enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Dock Equipment
Dock equipment refers to the items used to assist with the loading and unloading of materials from trucks in loading bays to buildings. A loading dock, or bay, is typically an elevated opening a building’s sidewall where shipments are sorted and prepared for loading and unloading trailers or shipping containers. Loading docks may be exterior, flush with the building envelope, or fully enclosed, and are commonly used in freight transport distribution centres.
A loading bay is a platform that evens out the height difference between a warehouse floor and a truck. The loading bay is robust and built for heavy loads. Dock plates, dock levellers or dock boards are used to bridge the gap between the truck and the loading bay floor, which work to create a smooth transition of goods between truck and loading docks.
Loading dock equipment:
Dock levellers: These are devices that bridge the gap between the dock and the truck bed, leveling the surface so that goods can be easily loaded and unloaded. There are two main types of dock levellers: automatic and manual. Automatic dock levellers are powered by hydraulics or electric motors, while manual dock levellers are operated by hand cranks.
Dock doors: Dock doors are used to seal the loading dock and keep the interior of the building climate-controlled. There are two main types of dock doors: overhead doors and rolling doors. Overhead doors are raised and lowered vertically, while rolling doors slide horizontally.
Dock shelters: Dock shelters are used to protect goods from the elements while they are being loaded or unloaded. They are typically made of fabric or plastic and are supported by a frame.
Dock bumpers: Dock bumpers are used to protect the dock from damage caused by trucks backing into it. They are typically made of rubber or plastic and are attached to the dock with bolts or brackets.
Vehicle restraint systems: Vehicle restraint systems are used to prevent trucks from rolling away while they are being loaded or unloaded. There are two main types of vehicle restraint systems: wheel chocks and chains. Wheel chocks are blocks of wood or metal that are placed in front of or behind the truck tires to prevent them from rolling. Chains are attached to the truck and anchored to the dock to prevent the truck from moving.
Common Types of Dock Levellers:
- Pit Levellers
Mechanical Pit Leveller
Air Pit Leveller
Hydraulic Pit Leveller
Vertical Dock Leveller - Rail Dock Levellers
- Edge of Dock (EOD) Leveller
In addition to these common types of loading dock equipment, there are a number of other specialized pieces of equipment that may be used in certain situations. For example, some loading docks may have loadhouses, which are enclosed structures that provide a safe and secure place to load and unload goods. Other loading docks may have conveyor belts, which can be used to move goods from the truck to the interior of the building.
The specific loading dock equipment that is used will vary depending on the needs of the business. However, the types of equipment listed above are the most common and are essential for safe and efficient loading and unloading of goods.
