Focus on dock equipment
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 4/1/2007
Stop accidents at dock edge
Built to stop a 10,000-pound load moving at 4 miles per hour, a dock impact barrier reduces accidents resulting from lift trucks, pallet jacks and pedestrians falling off the dock when the overhead door is open. It protects loads, door panels and door tracks. The manually operated barrier's heavy construction offers a lower impact, traffic-stopping bar constructed of 9/16-inch-thick steel cable inside a flexible fiberglass rail, which latches securely into place. Highly visible yellow nylon webbing provides an additional visual barrier. To open the barrier, a foot-operated latch is released. APS Resource.
High-speed breakaway door
Opening at up to 50 inches per second, the PredaDoor high-speed rolling door offers simple, direct-drive operation as an alternative to strip-curtains or impact doors. Its System 3 controller has an integrated variable speed AC drive system, allowing for soft acceleration and braking. The door incorporates full-width replaceable window panels or optional screen panels. Its quick-set, breakaway tabs allow the bottom bar to be reset without tools in a few seconds, reducing downtime. The door has a low profile with 6.25 inches of side clearance and 3.75 inches of side column projections. Rytec Corporation.
Hydraulic dock leveler with automatic return
The BH5 series hydraulic dock leveler compensates for uneven heights between the truck bed and the loading dock. The dock leveler automatically returns to the dock with auto recycle. Offering static capacities of 25,000; 35,000 and 45,000 pounds, the leveler's platform is constructed of floor plate reinforced by C-channel deck support beams. The unit is powered with a 1 horsepower, 1.5 gallons per minute pump that activates the deck's hydraulic cylinder. The deck and 16-inch hinged flip lip extends onto the vehicle at the push of a button. The unit offers 24 inches of total vertical travel: 12 inches above and below floor level. Beacon Industries.
Retractable dock door strap
For crossdock operations and facilities that leave their dock doors open, a dock door safety strap provides a strong, high-visibility barrier that prevents workers from falling off the loading dock. The retractable nylon strap keeps clear of door openings when not in use. It recoils at a safe speed, preventing a sling-shot effect. An optional proximity sensor detects when the strap is engaged. The powder-coated steel housed unit fits up to 10-foot wide doors. DL Manufacturing.
Header provides protection from weather
Available as a complete unit or for retrofitting to existing seals and shelters, the WeatherGuard 1600 series header protects dock workers from weather that can adversely affect employee comfort and damage inventory. The unit's structurally supported rigid head member is translucent, allowing natural light into the loading operation while keeping rain out. A spring loaded, foam filled, pivoting head member ensures a watertight seal. Fairborn USA.
Leveler for smoother transitions
The Copperloy SEL edge-of-dock leveler offers a smoother transition for loading and unloading standard and refrigerated trailers. The leveler is available in 20,000 and 30,000 pound capacities and four widths: 66, 72, 78 and 84 inches. For a smoother transition, the hinge tube is positioned flush with the loading dock floor. Linkage assembly relocates weldments to reduce potential truck impact, which allows for greater weld penetration and support of critical hinge tube locations. The roller pin assembly features a new busing design to reduce wear and eliminate routine maintenance. JH Industries.
High-speed dock doors
Crash-forgiving, automatically repairable M2 Basic high-speed doors handle up to 100 cycles per day. Offering maximum dimensions of 12 x 12 feet, features include a gear-driven push-pull movement at a rate of 24 inches per second, and a 27-ounce per square yard PVC door curtain with soft bottom edge design and side sealing zippers. For interior or exterior applications, a 1/2 HP-60 HZ continuous industrial motor is included, as are side guides made of structural galvanized steel channels. An infared photocell detects pedestrians and vehicles, immediately opening the door and keeping it open. Dynaco.
Control panel consolidates powered dock equipment
Master control panels for loading dock operations integrate operations into a single control box for dock levelers, vehicle restraints, inflatable dock shelters, overhead doors and other equipment such as safety gates. The panels save installation time and labor costs by reducing the number of primary power runs and eliminating multiple power requirements and wire conduits at each dock. The controls interlock so each piece of equipment can be activated in a predetermined sequence to simplify operations, improve efficiency and prevent injury and damage. The unit can be configured to service two dock positions. Serco Company.
Hold down mechanism extends leveler life
A/R hold downs automatically reset the locking mechanism on mechanical dock levelers, allowing for the total range of travel for an air-ride trailer and extending leveler life. The unit does not restrict the range of the float in the hold down. Since air-ride suspensions with self-leveling capabilities have become standard on trailers, the need for self-adjustment of the hold down has become necessary. Without it, the hold down could be ripped in half. Multi-Fab Products.
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