How To Tell If Your Dock Leveler Needs Repairs. How Often Should Dock Levellers Be Serviced?

After working in a warehouse or manufacturing plant for some time, you realize how important efficiency and safety are to your business. Dock levelers are one of the busiest and most dangerous areas for workers to operate, especially when pursuing optimal job performance. Because Dock levelers are critical thoroughfares for an organization, they are critical to efficient operations. Not only do they prevent unexpected logistics disruptions, they also ensure terminal safety and compliance. The Dock leveler area is especially important when it comes to complying with warehouse regulations. So how do you determine when your Dock leveler needs maintenance?

The type of dock leveler used in your facility will determine when and how maintenance is performed. There are three common types of dock levelers: mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic. Mechanical Dock levelers generally require more regular maintenance, pneumatic Dock levelers require less regular maintenance than mechanical Dock levelers, and hydraulic Dock levelers require less maintenance.

Mechanical loading and unloading platform repair and maintenance

If your facility uses Mechanical Dock Levelers, it is recommended that routine inspections and maintenance be completed every three months. Every day, you need to inspect your Dock leveler for dirt and debris and remove any obstructions that may prevent it from functioning properly. In particular, the lip and hinged portions of the platform should be kept clean and unobstructed. A thorough inspection is recommended every three months:

Clean the pit area, inspect all lip mechanisms (pins, lip cranks, connecting rods, chains and  shackles), and replace worn parts,Use appropriate lubricant in all areas requiring lubrication.

Check weather seals (if installed) and replace if worn or damaged.

Check out the dock bumpers. The bumper should provide four inches of protection and should be replaced if worn, torn, loose or missing.

Check the condition of concrete, angles, and welds and repair or replace if necessary.

Inspect the structure, hinge pins, clevis pins and cotter pins for unusual wear.

Repair and maintenance of pneumatic and hydraulic power levelers

If your facility uses pneumatic or hydraulic Dock levelers, it is recommended that all routine tasks and maintenance be performed every three months to ensure safe and efficient operations. Check as above and add the following tasks:

Check all conduit boxes, control boxes, and electrical connections for damage.

Check the hydraulic system (cylinders, hoses, connectors and power unit) and repair or replace if worn or damaged.

Make sure to check the control box for any signs of condensation.

If you have any questions about how and when to maintain your Dock leveler, please feel free to contact us. CHI can provide needed service or create a planned maintenance program for your Dock leveler and related equipment. No matter the make or model, we take your specific operational needs into consideration. Just like your business, you want your Dock leveler to be as efficient as possible while maintaining the highest safety standards. Dock levelers are a critical gateway to your warehouse, and you’ve invested heavily in your Dock leveler equipment, and we won’t let you suffer any issues with its performance.

Request Marina Services to learn more about scheduled maintenance.