Choosing the correct SIZE and CAPACITY of equipment helps improve your dock operation. The following guidelines will help you determine what equipment best suits your individual needs.
To Determine the proper length of a dockboard or dockplate,
Three items are required:
Loading Dock Height: (D)
Height of highest truck or trailer (T)
Type of loading equipment used
Dock Height (D) - Truck/Trailer Height (T) = Height Differential
Note: If refrigerated or container trailers are serviced at your location, you will need to request the legs moved back 4" to acommodate the lip on the trailer. This will be done at no extra charge.
Once you have figured your Height Differential, the type of equipment used on the Dockboard/Dockplate needs to be considered to decide on the proper length of your Dockboard. Below is a chart for help in deciding what length your dockboard should be.
DOCKPLATE LENGTH
DOCKBOARD LENGTH
DOCKBOARD LENGTH
HEIGHT
PALLET JACK
PROPANE FORKLIFT
ELECTRIC FORKLIFT
3"
36"
36"
36"
5"
48"
36"
48"
7"
60"
48"
60"
9"
60"
78"
11"
72"
90"
13"
84"
15"
96"
Dockboard/Dockplate Width:
Bluff manufacturing recommends a minimum product width of 12" to 18" wider than the overall width of the vehicle or pallet used. For improved end loading efficiency, you may consider increasing your dockboard width, as shown in the diagram.
Dockboard/Dockplate Capacity:
To determine the dockboard capacity multiply the lifting capacity of the forklift x 3.
Increase the board capacity if a (3) wheeled forklift is used
Increase the board capacity if used more than one shift a day
Note:
Stackers and other narrow aisle loaders should not be used on a dockboard.
Paper roll clamp and multi-shift loading add 5,000 pounds to the dockboard capacity.
Capacity rated for single-shift operation at a 3 mile per hour maximum rate of travel
Please note that dockboards can be ordered in many other sizes. The models above are available for next day shipment. See top left of page for all models. Custom sizes available on request.
