subject: How To Take The Worry Out Of Buying A Dock Board Or Dock Plate [print this page] Edgewater MH's: How to Guide on Purchasing Dock Boards
Introduction
I began my life as a submarine sailor, that is what they told me during boot camp, and as far as I can tell they were right. The first rule a sub sailor learns is this, "have a backup for your backup." They then proceed to teach you the fundamentals of hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and of course plumbing. That is because we are all full of it from time to time. This
background seems a perfect fit when offering material handling equipment. Because if products are not selected properly, or equipment is not used properly; you can get the same result. That is people can be injured or be killed.
So, now like then, I start each day with great optimism, and I learn everything I can about what I do and what my coworker's do. Knowledge is what saved my but then, and I expect that it will protect yours as well. This guide will give you the most important questions you should have answers to before you call your vendor, rep, or salesman. What you know can also get
you a better product for your operation, or a better price for your company. That is what I hope this guide does for you.
Dock Plates and Dock Boards
Dock plates and dock boards are used to connect the truck floor to the dock/warehouse floor. They are made of either aluminum or steel. Aluminum is a fine choice for dock plates (which are used with pallet jacks and other non-motorized devices) and light weight and light duty motorized traffic. This will be covered in greater detail. Steel is a far stronger and more durable product. It is the preferred choice for distribution centers, heavy manufacturing, and busy receiving docks.
Selecting the Correct Width of the Plate/Board
The width should be 12" - 18" wider than either the widest point of the lift truck or of the pallet or load itself. Many manufacturers use the phrase OAL or Overall Width. You are concerned with usable width. Usable width is overall width minus the side rail width approximately 3". I strongly recommend side rails to prevent a drive off from occurring. If you choose not to use side rails still add 3" to whatever you determine is the minimum width required as a safety feature.
Standard usable width = Width of lift truck (or load) + 18"
Selecting the Correct Length of the Plate/Board
Every manufacturer has a slightly different calculation for determining length. However, you will need to know at least 3 things.
1.Dock Height.
2.Highest Truck Floor Height - (that you will be loading or unloading)
3.What Type of Equipment - (will be traveling across the dock board)
This is used to determine the height differential. Generally speaking, the greater the difference between the dock and the truck floor the longer the board should be. This is to keep the slope or grade to a minimum safe approach.
Determining the Correct Capacity
The information you will need to determine the correct capacity for your dock board is as follows:
1.What is the total unloaded weight of the heaviest lift truck to use the dock?
2.What is the lift trucks maximum rated lifting capacity? (Found on the lift trucks data tag)
3.Is it a 3-wheel or a 4 wheel lift truck? (3-wheel units put much more stress on the board.)
4.Do you have any attachments installed? (Box Clamps, Slip Sheet, Paper Roll Clamps, Fork Positioners, Drum Handlers, ECT. . .)
5.Is it a multi-shift operation?
Dock boards and plates are made in standard sizes. I am going to give you a chart based upon some general guidelines and common
rules of thumb. This is to put you in the ball park on capacity, so you know where you should be on pricing. A manufacturer will generally
have you fill out a data sheet with the questions we discussed earlier. This is to protect them, as-well-as get what you need at the best price.
If you have lift truck attachments installed, such as: box clamps, slip sheet, paper roll clamps, fork positioners, drum handlers; or others: you should
add 5,000 more capacity to the dock board. Also, if you are operating a multi-shift operation, then add an extra 5,000 lbs. of capacity.
So, if you are running a 5,000 lb. capacity Clark TMG-25 3-wheel electric lift truck with a paper roll clamp in a 3 shift operation, what capacity
dock board would be the minimum required? Answer is check with the board manufacturer. They will process a data sheet, and give you what
you need. However, it will probably be rated for at least 30,000 lbs.
Below Dock Loading is a special situation which requires specially designed equipment. This is where the truck floor is below the dock height.
Equipment is made with that situation in mind. You should verify before purchasing that the board is designed for this situation. Most manufacturers
will list it clearly. Or if they have you fill out a work sheet, list that in bold letters, and then circle it.
Well, I hope you find this helpful when selecting your next dock board. The main point is that everything needs to be considered when making
material handling purchases. If your sales person does not ask way more questions than you want to answer, then maybe you should get a
second opinion.
by: Karl Torok
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