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Cardinal Integrated Systems is proud to carry Poweramp’s full line of dock levelers for safe and efficient loading and unloading of material. The leveler acts as a bridge between the loading dock floor and the transport vehicle. Levelers must be strong and adjustable to handle a variety of bed heights and loads. The following are the most common types of dock levelers:
Hydraulic Levelers
A hydraulic dock leveler is good for docks with high volume and heavy loads. The dock is controlled by a switch, usually located on the wall next to the dock. The switch controls a hydraulic cylinder and an electric pump to lift and lower the leveler. Most hydraulic dock levelers also feature a lip that automatically extends when the dock is activated to absorb shock from the trucks.
Mechanical Dock Levelers
Mechanical dock levelers are similar to hydraulic dock levelers, but are controlled by a chain and weight counterbalance device instead of electric pump. Mechanical levelers are the most common levelers and the least expensive. These levelers are primarily used in medium volume applications.
Air Bag Levelers
Air bag levelers are a new addition to the dock leveler line. With the push of a button, air bag levelers use a bag that, when inflated, lifts the deck and lip over the truck. Another button press allows the deck to release and align with the truck.
These air bag levelers can lift up to 50,000 lbs or more, making them compatible for use in many applications. The simple design and efficiency of the leveler makes it a very cost-effective option, and there are less parts and components than hydraulic and mechanical levelers, meaning less maintenance.
Vertical Storing Leveler
This leveler, as the name suggests, is stored in an upright, folded position to keep the surface clean. Vertical levelers are popular in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, where it is important to maintain a clean working area. They are raised and lowered into position by a remote button, usually located on the wall next to the leveler.
Vertical storing levelers provide a very smooth transition from storage position to dock position.
Edge of Dock Levelers
Edge-of-dock levelers are the most economical solution for correcting height differences between dock and truck bed when the height differentiation is plus or minus 4”. These levelers are used when there are time and space restraints on loading and unloading from a truck. Edge-of-dock levelers are attached to the dock itself, so there storage is not an issue. These levelers come either mechanically or hydraulically powered.
Truck Levelers
Truck levelers are powered levelers found on the ground, either pit mounted or top of ground, and raise and or lower the bed of the truck to be even with the loading dock.
Pit mounted levelers are installed in the ground, flush with the road surface. When a truck is backed up onto the leveler, the leveler raises to the appropriate height.
Top of ground levelers are installed directly on the ground, and work similarly to the pit mounted levelers, lifting the truck up to the dock for loading and unloading.
Dock Lifts
Dock lifts, also known as elevating tables, are used for loading and unloading materials from a ground level to a loading dock.
Dock lifts are located at the mouth of the dock door and are either pit mounted or low profile. The lift raises the materials that need to be loaded or unloaded, such as pallets, boxes and other heavy items.
Low-profile dock lifts are semi-portable and are good for ground level doors, confined spaces and leased buildings.
Dock lifts are powered and controlled by a switch or lever.
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