How to Improve Your Current Dock Levelers

Loading dock levelers handle your precious cargo -- most of your deliveries and shipments cross over them. Therefore, it's worth your while to upgrade and secure the best dock levelers you can. Here are some ideas for upgrading, courtesy of ritehite.com:

• Convert a mechanical dock leveler into a hydraulic dock leveler and you will get rid of ergonomic issues and maintenance costs related to a mechanical leveler. A hydraulic leveler will allow you push button control, unrestricted full range float and lower average maintenance costs.
• Add a safety barrier to prevent dangerous falls from vacant loading docks. Most dock levelers are not equipped for dock drop off protection. A steel barrier will protect fork trucks from traveling off the edge of an open dock.
• Replace your dock leveler weather seal so you are not losing heat or cool air in the gaps around your dock leveler. If the gaps are left uncovered, they can become as large as 14-by-14 inches and cost you $557 a year. These weather seals will pay for themselves in 4 months or less.
• Replace your loading dock bumpers because loading dock bumpers that are damaged or missing can cause backing trailers to make contact with your building. This can cause structural damage that can cost a lot to repair.