A Guide to Warehouse Dock Equipment
By Marc Menard
May 2, 2024| 4 min read
In the last post, I covered the main differences between various warehouse dock types. Now, let’s dive into the world of warehouse dock equipment. Warehouse dock equipment includes all sorts of tools and machines that make loading and unloading goods at warehouse docks easier and safer. There’s everything from simple stuff like wheel blocks to fancier setups like dock control terminals. The idea is to keep things running smoothly while keeping everyone safe on the job. To do so, operators have to select the right equipment for the job. In this blog post, I’ll go over various types of equipment, outline their use-cases, and explore the variations available to warehouse operators.
Vertical vs Horizontal Dock Levelers
The purpose of a dock leve
ler is to connect the gap between the dock and the trailer, creating a seal that prevents accidents, minimizing energy loss, and maintaining the quality of the goods being moved. Horizontal dock levelers are installed flush with the floor and can level a platform to sit flush with the trailer to facilitate a lift driving in and out. Vertical dock levelers are more expensive but create a better seal between the dock and the trailer. This makes them the ideal choice for distribution environments in the food & beverage industry that require consistent temperatures and minimal exposure to ensure food safety standards.
Keep it Illuminated
As I’ve discussed in a past blog post, good lighting is an important element of any warehouse. In the dock area, equipment like adjustable lamps illuminate the loading area, making it easier for operators to see. These can be adjusted to focus light exactly where it’s needed, making loading and unloading a breeze.
Stable Trailer, Stable Operations
When dealing with loading and unloading heavy trucks, its essential to make sure that they are secured in place to avoid damaged goods or injury. There is a variety of equipment that operators use to do this, many of which are used in conjunction with one another to guarantee safety.
- Trailer anchor: Secures trailers in place, preventing accidental movement during loading and unloading operations.
- Wheel block: Prevents trailers from rolling away by immobilizing their wheels.
- Trailer jack: When dropping off a trailer, drivers will set these up to keep the trailer level with the dock once the truck detaches and drives off.
Control the Flow
With all the equipment present in the loading area of a warehouse, its important to be able to control and manage these systems centrally. That’s where dock control terminals come into play. These computers are typically located at each dock door and are able to control the opening and closing of the door and the initialization of the levelers.
Conclusion
When talking about dock equipment, safety is the name of the game. Each of the types of equipment discussed in this post come together to facilitate safe and efficient dock operations.
Reach out to the LIDD team to learn more about warehouse docking and optimizing your warehouse operations.