Weather Eye: Looking after Loading Bay Equipment

Loading bay equipment represents a major investment to any cargo-handling concern. True, much of it is made of particularly heavy metal but like any other mechanism, it can't look after itself. The upside is that, in many instances, loading bay equipment maintenance is relatively simple. The downside is the dreaded 'D word', downtime.

Loading bay equipment may be costly in the first instance but it can pay for itself. Downtime can be costly and the frustrating thing is that it can be avoided with a little intelligent attention. There is, however, a caveat to be borne in mind. Many loading bay managers budget for and use professional equipment servicing and maintenance teams, for a reason. There are certain tasks in servicing and maintaining this hardware which are best left to the pros, for the sake of safety as well as that of continued usability. Nevertheless, loading bay equipment can be monitored and simple maintenance and servicing tasks can be carried out.

So how do you monitor loading bay equipment? The answer to this is perfectly simple and concerns developing a good habit within the workplace. What habit? We can give this the acronym 'E.E.E.' and apply what it stands for. Examination, Evaluation and Execution is a trio of words that is easy enough to remember; let's see how they work.

Anyone employed in a fully equipped loading bay soon develops a sense of why each piece of equipment is present and what each does. The first part of the 'E.E.E.' principle stems from this. Appoint one person to 'do his/her rounds' say, once a week, checking over each part of the loading bay equipment in turn. Is it all working as it should? Could it be better? Is it broken? These questions are easily answered.

The process of examination needn't be limited to a weekly round. As loading bay personnel necessarily use items of equipment on a daily basis, any shortcomings could be reported as and when they develop. A marker board and pen in the loading bay could be used for personnel to log the fault(s).

The second step, evaluation, is important. Americans say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"; in this context, "If you don't know how to fix it, don't try" would be more appropriate. Should the problem be a simple one, a matter of applying lubrication or tightening a fastening, personnel can go on to the next step. However, should a less amenable problem arise, it makes sense to seek professional help. This should be done, no matter how tempting a fast and easy fix might be. If a repair was to be carried out inexpertly, it could lead to a real, imminent or actual danger to personnel or equipment. Apart from the evident risks of damage or injury, it's more than likely that such a repair would render the relevant insurance cover null and void.

This leads us to the notion of execution and whether it can or cannot be done. Once again, it's a matter of applying intelligent forethought. For example, if some pivot or track squeals loudly in use, lubricating it is hardly rocket science. Similarly, a loose bolt, a blown bulb or the like can be sorted out quickly and easily. More complex repairs might not be so easily executed.

In the end analysis, the 'E.E.E.' principle has value in ensuring that most loading bay equipment failures can be discovered before they happen. Even if the necessary repair or refurbishment is a matter for experts, finding the trouble early can save money, and avoid the dreaded downtime.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of loading bay equipment. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Level Playing Field: Dock Leveller Facts and Figures

Loading bay personnel face problems every day but one everyday problem can be solved with the aid of an essential piece of equipment. The snag lies in any discrepancy between the height of a truck's load deck and that of the loading bay's platform. Should a mismatch exist, it has to be bridged and this is what a dock leveller does.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? In a way, it is but there are caveats of which every loading bay manager must be aware. Such as? Well, like any 'link' in the loading bay's chain of components, the dock leveller has to be capable of handling the heavy loads involved. When bearing these loads in mind, it isn't merely a matter of considering the avoirdupois weight of the goods concerned. This may be significant but a dock leveller also has to accommodate the weight of the means by which the goods are moved, be they trolleys, palette trucks or forklifts. In this context, the weight of the individuals handling the goods is insignificant but the dock leveller must also cater for the additional, near-horizontal loads applied by the moving and braking, especially of powered equipment. Load ratings of 6,000 or 9,000kg are popular but it's common for specially rated dock levellers to be offered in a variety of sizes.

The two main types of dock levellers share steel construction and feature proven aspects including an anti-slip deck and a corrosion-resistant finish. The difference exists in the lip that lies adjacent to the truck's load deck. This may be simply hinged but a telescopic lip version is also available. The dock leveller's height adjustment works equally well in either case but a telescopic lip also allows fine-tuning of the dock leveller to the relative positions of itself and the truck bed. Unsurprisingly, a European standard, EN 1938, applies to dock levellers; make sure the chosen unit complies.

Dock levellers may be mounted in a purpose-built pit and there are suspended frame versions for use with tail lifts. Moreover, dock levellers offer a mechanism that makes for ease of use. An electro-hydraulic operating system, powered by an electric motor that has a low-voltage control unit, makes applying the relative adjustments not only child's play but also the work of moments.

While they have to be visibly tough, dock levellers must also have hidden strengths. In a correctly designed unit, the support frame will transmit loads from the truck's deck without incurring fatigue and consequent loss of structural integrity. Limited torsional diagonal loadings should also be tolerated; dealing with a vehicle with a canted bed will impose them. Furthermore, while dock levellers may seem to be laughably simple items, a range of optional extras takes them into a higher realm of functionality. Such extras include practical additions like high impact absorbing buffers, brush seals for the sides and rear of the deck assembly and under-deck foam insulation. More, let's say, active options include automatic, synchronised parking, a vehicle restraint system with an interlock facility, an automatic docking light interface, and a door interlock mechanism.

As is undoubtedly clear, some forethought is needed when choosing dock levellers. Given this, those chosen should give the loading bay long-lived, reliable levellers that make light work of loading and unloading while maximising loading bay uptime.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of dock levellers. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

On The Safe Side: Loading Dock Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is prophylactic. This word comes from the Greek and means 'an advance guard', so safety equipment is there to prevent something untoward happening. In a loading dock, there are any number of potentially untoward happenings which, should they occur, could have far-reaching consequences. Given that a loading dock is, by definition, host to very large, very heavy moving objects, a recipe for disaster exists.

The loading dock's personnel represents the weakest link in this particular chain. Though not necessarily large or very heavy, people move too so ensuring they can get about in safety is paramount. One structure that can help here is expanded metal deck mesh. The loading dock's deck has to be strong enough to cope with the weight it must accommodate but it also has to be non-slip, which is where an expanded metal surface comes into its own. The deck's being well above floor level means that access to its working surface must be reliably strong and safe. Among the various kinds of safety equipment, access steps figure prominently. Such items must obviously be secure and capable of bearing the relevant loads. However, the requirement also includes the provision of handrails, as well as railings that protect the edges of the deck. Safety chain is a worthwhile addition, to close off those areas that are left open when the loading dock isn't occupied by a truck or van.

Having ensured that the loading dock personnel can't take steps into the unknown, it makes sense to cater for the vehicles that facilitate loading and unloading. Forklift trucks are heavy, can carry far more than any individual person and can move faster. While the abovementioned expanded metal deck mesh can take the weight of a moving laden forklift, it is flat. How then do you stop a forklift from slipping off the edge of a loading dock's deck, or from being driven over it by mistake? Simple, fit fork truck raves. These substantial steel structures delineate the edges of the loading dock at a low level, keeping forklifts on the straight and narrow.

Now for the heaviest and most potentially damaging of the loading dock's occupants. The road vehicles that carry goods come in a range of sizes but all are heavy, and obviously mobile. Protection bumpers and head rail raves can prevent vans and trucks from going beyond where they are welcome. This, however, is not just a matter of loading dock etiquette. More than one loading dock worker has been injured through being caught between a moving truck and a loading dock.

Where a trailer, brought by a lorry cab unit, no longer has the support of the cab unit in a loading dock, it is essential that its leading end be secured. This is a task for a stabilizer trailer jack, a strong, wheeled support that takes over the cab unit's job when the trailer is at rest.

Loading dock safety is a wide subject. However, these items of safety equipment are a few of the things that, by being present, can prevent accidents. Making sure they are there, and using them without exception, will enhance the safety record of any loading dock.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of loading dock equipment. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Door Downtime: Time to Upgrade Your Loading Bay Industrial Doors?

Among the words that strike dread in the hearts of loading bay managers, ‘door downtime' ranks highly. Door downtime is dead time. Should it be impossible to close an industrial door serving a loading bay, concerns about security and weather protection arise. Finding an industrial door that is broken and cannot be opened is still more serious - neither loading nor unloading can occur at an inaccessible loading bay. Moreover, while getting the best from existing industrial doors is praiseworthy, a certain point will arrive. At this point, poor operation, inadequate insulation, wear and tear and even a scruffy appearance will no longer suffice. In short, it's upgrade time.

What, then, should a loading bay manager look for in a set of industrial doors? The first and most obvious requirement is efficiency. The operating system of a roller shutter industrial door incorporates cables, springs and, more often than not, an electric motor. Choosing doors equipped with these is fine, provided you know that they will give years of trouble-free service, despite a heavy daily operating cycle count. For this very reason, it makes sense to ensure that the doors carry a comprehensive warranty and that suitable service and maintenance services are available on a contractual basis.

What about the materials and the way they're finished? Many industrial doors boast stainless steel hardware, as well as external coatings that are tough enough to be practical as well as remaining attractive over time. One such finish is Plastisol, a powder coat surface that can withstand the ravages of both time and the weather.

Speaking of the weather, industrial doors have to defend the loading bays they conceal against this. What's more, it isn't only their coatings that must battle the elements. In addition to being rain proof, doors must be corrosion proof as well as retaining heat within the loading bay when closed. For this reason, industrial doors are frequently double-skinned and are offered with options such as weather strips and brush strips. Where ventilation is required – and it often is – suitably attractive and, more importantly, strong ventilating grilles are available.

One further point warrants careful thought. The buyer-errant's considering robustness, practicality, weather resistance and appearance is all very well. However, the matter of fitment must be borne in mind. The off-the-peg roller shutter industrial door is a rare thing nowadays. As well as being popular, industrial doors of this kind are generally tailor-made to suit their intended location.

This, in turn, generates the need for further care and consideration. Of what? The options that are chosen to both supplement and complement a new set of industrial doors. This is where the careful study of the door maker's catalogue is essential. Reliability and ease of use are givens here. However, do you want cable break and spring break devices to be incorporated? How about a wicket gate? Should the door be electrically operated, should it have a safety edge on its lower rail? Do you need a remotely controlled timed return? Photocells and an inductive loop are further options and here, knowledge is power. Time spent learning what is available, is time spent wisely.

Above all, achieving the desired loading bay appearance, in which your existing scruffy, unreliable industrial doors are replaced by a set of smart, dependable efficient doors, isn't so difficult. All it takes is the right choice - from the right supplier.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of industrial doors. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

On The Level: Edge Of Dock Levellers In Detail

'Sitting at the edge of the dock' isn't quite a 1967 Otis Redding classic but edge of dock levellers offer a viable, not to mention economical, solution to the problems of loose bridging plates and the cost of inbuilt electro-hydraulic units.

The obvious questions are those concerning what edge of dock levellers do. The answers are simple enough. First, you need something to establish a strong, smooth path along which loading and unloading can be carried out. The loading dock is one part of this path, the lorry's bed is another; edge of dock levellers bridge the gap between the two.

How do these items work? A spring-assisted plate with a hinged lip comes into play after the lorry has been reversed in, square and central to the dock. In fact, the leveller has buffers to facilitate this accurate positioning. An operating lever, mounted in a sleeve between the lip plate and buffer, is pulled upwards and backwards. This causes the lip to rise higher than the vehicle's load bed. Moving the lever forward extends the plate, allowing it to rest on the vehicle's bed. The same lever is used for decoupling before the lorry moves off.

Knowing how an edge of dock leveller works is interesting but it doesn't tell us what such a device can handle. To say one can handle everything from a roll cage to a forklift truck goes without saying. However, looking in more detail at a representative specification reveals much, if not all.

Typically, edge of dock levellers can cope with roll over loads of 9,000kg. The extendable lip can stand 317mm proud of the face of the buffers and the quickly and easily positioned plate can be both engaged and parked when a vehicle is already docked. It's usual for such a leveller to accommodate lorry bed heights within 100mm of the loading bank. The steel chequer surface plate has a chamfered lip to make for seamless transition between the dock and the lorry bed, and maintenance is child's play. Normally, all that's needed is occasional lubrication of the edge of dock leveller's hinge tubes.

Compared to alternative dock-levelling equipment, edge of dock levellers have a great deal to recommend them. Conventional pit-mounted levellers require installation space and a pit; the former may not be available and the latter is invariably expensive. There's also the matter of complication and the consequently extended installation time. As we all know, time is money and time spent installing hardware is also downtime for the loading bay concerned.

Can edge of dock levellers be described in a word? Not quite but they can be described in no more than three words. Which are? How about unobtrusive, economical and efficient? The bottom line is inextricably linked with the final word here. Making a more than adequately specified, safe, smooth load path for the goods you have to handle is hardly rocket science, nor need the task be overly complicated and therefore expensive. This elegantly simple solution offers an efficient means of achieving a loading dock that is itself efficient and therefore productive.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of dock levellers. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Self-preservation: Staying Safe in a Loading Dock

A loading dock is an environment in which severe or possibly fatal accidents could happen. The presence of heavy vehicles, forklifts and the loads they carry, and workers on foot in an area that is by definition busy could be a recipe for disaster. Need a working loading dock be the scene of an accident waiting to happen? Not if some simple rules, some involving essential equipment, are applied…

Let's begin with the truck. Getting it into place is the first requirement and for this, a banksman, a ‘reversing assistant', is needed. Of course, a reversing camera could handle the job but method notwithstanding, ensure that nobody goes between the truck's tail and the loading dock's seal, for obvious reasons.

Once the trailer is in place, it makes sense for it to stay put. Should the trailer remain hitched to a lorry cab unit, the worst that can happen is that the driver pulls away prematurely. Good communication will prevent this happening. However, if the trailer is freestanding, you need to keep it under control. Wheel chocks are a solution and it makes sense to use a stable trailer jack – the trailer's own nose gear may not be reliable. Then, take a look at the trailer's deck; rotten floorboards aren't unknown.

With the trailer standing ready, the dock levellers warrant attention. Can they support the weights to be handled? Are they at the right height? Are they secure? You need to know. Bear in mind with all the abovementioned factors that laden or unladen forklifts impose considerable loads and not just in terms of weight. Acceleration and braking forces can easily cause an insecure trailer to move unexpectedly. The speed of the forklift(s) involved and the trailer's suspension are factors in this equation and trailer creep also affects dock levellers.

Now for the forklifts themselves. The use of safety barriers to protect unguarded drops is obvious, as is the use of raves. Less obvious is the need for forklift drivers to see what they're doing. Poor lighting aboard the trailer and around the loading area represents false economy…think ‘dangerous' if you can't see how this will slow the work. Moreover, where larger loads are involved, clear lines of sight are crucial. Use mirrors if necessary and rely on human assistance where applicable.

Just as on the roads, good traffic management applies to loading and unloading. A congested staging area is necessarily inefficient at best. At worst it's dangerous so it's wise to have a traffic system. Traffic cones, signs and marking tape denoting inbound, outbound and no-go areas will pay dividends very quickly. Similarly, ensuring that all personnel, pedestrians included, know what the markings mean could save more than just time. Once again as in traffic, congestion is a major potential problem. A system of storing empty pallets and containers away from the loading area, at a sensible stack height, contributes both to safety and speed of operation.

There are safety factors specifically for the workers on foot, the pedestrians. The traffic system mentioned makes a good starting point but pedestrians also need guard rails and proper, secure ladders for safe movement. They also need a clean working environment, so make sure that debris is cleared frequently.

These are by no means all the rules but there's one simple, overarching practice that must be followed…for safety's sake. This is, in a word, application. All the safety equipment and training in the world are worthless if they aren't present and used correctly.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of loading bay equipment. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Pre-emptive Measures: Industrial Door Maintenance Programmes

There are those who believe in a questionable adage. "Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow." they say, blithely. It's all very well being cheerfully optimistic but trouble has a tendency to strike unannounced. Trouble with industrial doors can strike deeper, with what may be dire consequences, which is why planning a realistic maintenance programme for them is an important loading bay strategy.

It's a fact that industrial doors can go wrong and it doesn't take a degree in engineering to figure out what might befall them. All you need to do is look at your industrial doors' specification. Some, for example, are fitted with spring and cable break devices. These aren't there for decoration and it's obviously better to be forewarned of possible breakages of this kind by regular inspections as part of a planned maintenance programme.

Much the same goes for industrial roller shutter doors. These usually have a motor cover, which covers a component that can, by definition, fail. Photocells can also let you down, as can remote control devices, timers and induction loops. Not to put too fine a point on it, the bottom line couldn't be easier to understand. Quite simply if industrial doors stop working, so does the workforce that uses them. Moreover, this workforce can be stopped just as effectively – and perhaps for longer – by the consequences of an accident involving industrial doors.

This begs a question concerning how to prevent such things from happening before they become problematic. The answer to this contains three words: inspection, cleaning and lubrication. Preface all three with the word 'regular' and you'll get an idea of how an industrial door maintenance programme ought to be arranged.

By looking at this in a little more detail, we can see how such a programme works. The element of inspection has a clear role: a potential problem, if detected early, can be solved long before it becomes an actual problem. Cleaning and lubrication are equally logical requirements.

The next point concerns the frequency of the checks in an industrial door maintenance programme. Some firms suggest they should be carried out every 90 days. However, there are methods that permit a maintenance programme to be tailored to an individual firm's needs. Establishing a bespoke maintenance programme involves examining two factors. Counting the typical number of door opening/closing cycles per day gives a measure of how hard the doors have to work and the harder they work, the shorter the service interval.

In a similar vein, it is possible to give industrial doors a 'medical'. A detailed examination at the start of a planned maintenance programme can help to give an accurate forecast of the extent of the doors' remaining service life.

In the final analysis, two choices exist. One is to trust to luck, hoping your industrial doors soldier on regardless. This can be costly in terms of possible component failure, mechanism malfunction and consequent losses to downtime and from accidental damage to or by the industrial doors concerned. Alternatively, you could adopt a planned maintenance programme and benefit from industrial doors that are fit for their allotted task. This has a cost too but paying for maintenance and repairs before problems occur offers maximum efficiency, reliability and, of course, peace of mind that all is well in the loading bay. As the Americans say...do the math!

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of industrial doors. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Hot Topic: Identifying Dock Seal Fire Risks

Ten years ago, loading dock seal fires in the USA suddenly became big news. The number of fires reported peaked suddenly in 1999, to the bafflement of those concerned. Even the firefighters were mystified until investigations revealed the cause. As a consequence, something could be done about the problem.

As we probably all believe, loading dock seals are just there. They keep goods dry, keep the heat in the buildings they serve and, given regular safety inspections, aren't likely to be too much trouble. So why did they start going up in flames in considerable numbers? The answer's simple – when you know it. It turns out that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards were to blame. They required vehicles of a given size to have three rear identification lamps and two rear clearance lamps near the upper edge of their trailer. Drivers were loading or unloading with these lights on. The fitting of bigger alternators to the vehicles, to run an on-board TV, a VCR, a microwave oven, a satellite dish and/or GPS was making matters worse by over-driving the lights, making them prone to overheating. In any event, it was discovered that in as little as 20 minutes, a temperature high enough to cause foam-filled loading dock seal pads to ignite could be reached.

This begs a question: what has this to do with loading dock seals in the UK? Well, in the USA, it's estimated that there are over 100,000 loading docks with compression-style
foam dock seals with unprotected head pads. So what? Any loading dock seal material may be fire-retardant but it has a service life and its fire-retarding abilities can degrade with time. Moreover, the material isn't necessarily fire-resistant and in the UK, lorries have lights. The bottom line is that if you see scorch marks, let alone holes burnt into the material, a danger exists. Such marks suggest hidden damage that must be addressed.

Does this cautionary tale say it all for the fire risks associated with loading dock seals? In a word, no. Like any safety issue, fire safety needs attention. Unlike some safety issues, it isn't something that can be – let's say, put on the back burner...pun intended.

While many of the safety aspects of fire risks in relation to loading dock seals involve commonsense, there are elements that demand special caution. You may be proud of your company's fire safety arrangements, citing installations including smoke and fire detection alarms and an automatic sprinkler system. These are all well and good but their effectiveness – and therefore their value – is very much dependent on what materials you handle.

In 2006, a lorry load of cream cheese caught fire, closing the eastbound carriageway of the A55 at Colwyn Bay. This was down to a burst tyre causing a lorry fire but bring it closer to home and it's no fun. Should you be handling flammable materials, you need to safeguard against their ignition. How? There are cargo-handling techniques, such as limiting the amount of inflammable material held at any one spot at a given time. There are gas detectors, should you be handling this material. There is also a very important rule concerning the point where a loading dock seal will be fitted. This is quite simple: never consider a loading dock as an emergency fire exit. On more than one occasion, personnel have attempted to escape., become wedged between the dock and a lorry – and died.

It's a sobering but unarguable fact that commonsense isn't always enough...and there's no shame in seeking help. From whom? The fire brigade. A Fire Safety Officer will hold the rank of Watch Commander and may rank higher still. Above all, he or she will be trained to spot the risks for you. 'Better safe than sorry' is an old adage but it applies as much as it ever did. Should you be in any doubt, think about this. Suppose there was a fire in your loading dock? Enough said.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of loading bay equipment. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Mast Lifts, the Flexible Alternative to Scissor Lifts

"Give us the tools and we'll finish the job.", said Sir Winston Churchill to President Roosevelt in 1941. Nowadays, companies may not be seeking the USA's help during a world war but Churchill's basic principle remains sound. When it comes to handling goods and specifically to lifting and lowering them, two alternatives exist. A scissor lift offers much to loading bay operators but in many respects, a mast lift is a practicable alternative. A mast lift can be the tool with which the job can be finished, easily and economically.

Mast lifts, as their name implies, consist of a platform that can be raised and lowered on a single column. However, this simplistic portrayal can't even begin to describe mast lifts, let alone convey their advantages. Such as? Mobility is a major benefit of mast lifts. Most can be used by a single operator and can be situated and set up quickly and easily. Their light weight and manoeuvrability means they can be used in many and varied locations. As a scissor lift is necessarily a fixed item, it is incapable of providing movement in any direction other than up and down.

How do mast lifts work? Let's start with the base unit, the 'foot' of the mast lift. This is wheeled and often boasts a zero inside turning radius. Extendable, locking legs fold out from their retracted positions to support the lift, preventing its toppling especially where the mast is free standing and can't rely on additional side support from, say, a wall or bank of shelving.

Now we have our feet (or foot) on the ground, we can consider the mast itself. This may be a single column but some mast lifts have a telescopic frame. Regardless of its structure, the mast is often extendable and can give a working height of more than ten metres. Some mast lift's columns are manually extended, using an integral winch mechanism, though power operation is often available, perhaps as an option. The mast lift's platform may also be power-operated.

A mast lift's platform is a component where refinement may be found. Often, the platform has its own, integral safety rails. These prevent loads falling from the platform. Where personnel are using the platform, these rails not only act as handrails and guard against falls, they also protect individuals against crush or trap injuries as the platform is raised and lowered. Naturally, platform rails have one or more gated sections. Moreover, where the mast lift is powered, the platform often has a control panel. This, essentially a facsimile of the main control panel on the base unit, allows 'riders' to control the platform when they're on board.

As is inevitably the case with goods-handling products, safety and reliability are of paramount importance. Like scissor lifts, mast lifts are built to comply with the appropriate British and international standards. Rigorous pre-production testing ensures that mast lifts are capable of coping with the kind of use (and abuse) meted out to them in real-life working situations. What's more, complete product advice, comprehensive warranties and full parts and service backup ensure that the correct mast lift will meet a customer's needs over a long and highly productive service life.

A mast lift cannot entirely replace a scissor lift but then again, scissor lifts can't match the versatility of mast lifts. To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill, finishing the job can't even be considered without the right tools to start it.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of mast lifts. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Gimme Shelter – Dock Shelters Defy the Elements

In an ideal world, the dimensions of goods vehicles and the loading bays they use would conform to strict rules – and dock shelters would scarcely be needed. In the real, non-ideal world, vehicles and loading bays vary in size and configuration. This leaves a gap...not a theoretical, marketplace gap but a physical gap, between the particular vehicle concerned and the loading bay it is occupying. Since the gaps to be filled naturally vary, dock shelters must be flexible.

Just a moment though, what's the problem with a gap's being there anyway? Well, the gap isn't a huge problem in itself but what passes through it can be. Any cargo-handling staff member will soon educate you about this. For example, suppose the goods in transit would suffer if they became wet. Rain, hail, sleet and snow vary in the degree of dampness they create but the end result is the same – soggy goods. Imagining drenched dresses, sodden soap or wet white goods will give you an adequate illustration of the need for dock shelters.

Besides, dock shelters aren't essential only for what they keep out. Everyone is encouraged to have double-glazing and cavity wall insulation to trim their home's carbon footprint. Actually, everyone has these things to keep their heating bills down. Do they leave a door or window open in mid winter? No they don't but an open loading bay loses heat from a building just as effectively. Dock shelters help maintain an even temperature to keep workers even-tempered. They reduce this unarguably expensive and uncomfortable loss...by closing the abovementioned gap.

A dock shelter has to form an effective temporary seal between a loading bay and a vehicle. To do this, it must be able to accept various sizes of vehicle. Doing so is easier than it sounds because dock shelters are simple devices. They come in two guises, projecting or recessed, and both work in the same way. Each has a pair of flexible, fabric side curtains, which rest against the rear quarters of a vehicle's body when it's reversed into place. Vertical marking strips help the driver align the vehicle correctly. This leaves only the upper edge of the vehicle's tail to be accommodated. The various heights of vehicle are catered for by an adjustable head frame, which can be positioned to allow the head curtain it carries to rest in the right place. Sometimes, this head frame adjustment is automatic, making gap-filling easier still.

What makes a dock shelter good? In a word, flexibility. In order to make a working seal between a vehicle's tail and a building, a dock shelter must flex but only in a horizontal direction. Equally, it must be tough...tough enough to handle repeated pressure and friction from moving vehicles as well as assaults from Mother Nature. Fortunately, fabrics muscular enough to cope are used, suspended from similarly brawny side and head frame assemblies.

Last but not least, there's a further aspect of your business that expertly designed and well-made dock shelters can enhance. The world may not be ideal but it's certainly competitive. Remember that ill conceived, badly constructed and or scruffy dock shelters can give a lasting impression – of the wrong sort – about your business. After all, it's better to have excellent, effective dock shelters that won't be curtains for your business.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of docks shelters. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Knowledge is Power: What You Should Know When Hiring Mobile Yard Ramps

For cargo handling tasks, what you have isn't always what you need. Then again, even the most efficient operation can't possibly own and offer every conceivable piece of hardware and remain competitive.

Take mobile yard ramps, for example. What seems a simple item actually comes in such a variety of sizes and specifications that it's highly unlikely that any one concern could even store all the different units, let alone keep them ready for use. There is an option used by most sensible cargo-handling firms. Like a lot of loading bay equipment, mobile yard ramps can be hired, on a short or long-term basis.

Starting with the basics, we can consider what you should look for. Steel construction is a worthwhile primary requirement, especially if the steel is protected with top quality paint that boasts rust inhibiting additives. However, sturdiness and good looks aren't everything. By definition, mobile yard ramps must be moveable and outstanding design and manufacturing standards are essential to ease of use.

Well-designed mobile yard ramps will be capable of transferring throughout their structure the substantial dynamic loads they must accommodate. Their ability to do this with loads up to, say, 12,000kg, transferring this to twin axles should be a given. The same goes for longevity – they have to cope with such loads day in, day out – for life.

Ease of use is another important factor. Mobile yard ramps may be moved using a forklift truck. Some have a pushing attachment for this purpose. The presence of a tough run-on plate is desirable; after all, having positioned the ramp, a forklift will have to use it. It's also desirable for mobile yard ramps to be finely balanced, making them easy to handle and manoeuvre. There is, in addition, the matter of setting the ramp to the required height. The inclusion of a hydraulic hand pump makes for quick and easy raising and lowering.

Hiring mobile yard ramps makes a lot of sense in terms of both practicality and economy. That said, it's well worth considering any hidden costs when negotiating hire arrangements. What hidden costs? The first that springs to mind is servicing. Mobile yard ramps might not look too complicated but they do have moving parts and there is also the matter of fatigue servicing. Are these included in the hire charge?

The same might apply to transportation. To cope with big, heavy loads, mobile yard ramps must themselves be big and heavy. For example, a 12-tonne ramp can be 11.7 metres long, 2.6 metres wide and weigh nearly 4,200kg. You may have the very vehicle to collect and return a ramp like this but if you haven't, face facts; one isn't going to fit on your car's roof rack. Are delivery and collection included and if they aren't what are the costs?

When hiring, as in many other contexts, knowledge is power. This principle has been known since the 16th Century and it remains useful to this day. Knowing about all the costs – including those that aren't immediately obvious – empowers you to strike the most enticing deal for you, your company and its clients.

If you are considering replacing your mobile yard ramp then contact us. We have designed the 'Titan' range of portable yard ramps to be hard wearing, easy to manoeuvre and simple to operate. Our website has more information at http://www.chaseequipment.co.uk/.

Mobile Loading Platforms: to hire or buy, that is the question

It's a known fact that, in order to unload a truck swiftly and safely, you have to be on a level with it. You may have dedicated loading bays but if you haven't or if the hand unloading of deliveries hogs them for too long, mobile loading platforms are a practical, economic alternative.

Mobile loading platforms do exactly what is says on the tin, or in this case, on the steel. They boast tough, welded steel frame construction, with a strong loading floor. An access ladder facilitates getting up to this; flaps are fitted to give a strong, secure pathway to and from the truck's cargo floor, and there are chains to close openings when they're not in use. A safe working load of 3,000kg – or more if necessary – makes handling heavy goods easy. In fact, mobile loading platforms make dealing with goods that are not packaged on pallets a simple and speedy exercise.

The mobility of mobile loading platforms can be assured in two ways. Forklift pockets form part of their construction, allowing them to be manoeuvred into place with the aid of a standard forklift truck. In addition, movable castors are available as an option. However, when the platform is in use, mobility is the last thing you want. So among the options on offer are securing chains and vehicle chocks to ensure the mobile loading platform and the vehicle it's serving stay put.

Further options include an assortment of gate and handrail configurations from which to choose, as well as supplementary anti-slip surfaces. As pleasant climatic conditions can't be guaranteed, a means of coping with inclement weather is available. At its simplest, this may be a straightforward top canopy. However, side curtains are also available to keep the worst of the weather at bay. More importantly, mobile loading platforms are available in a range of sizes so it's likely you'd be able to find an item that meet your needs perfectly.

The above description shows that mobile loading platforms are a useful adjunct to any loading bay equipment. In some instances, they may represent all the equipment that's needed. In use, they're very much 'fit and forget' items, particularly as there is no need of a costly, complex hydraulic system or power source.
In many instances, mobile loading platforms can be used as stand-ins for busy fixed loading bay equipment. You may also have to offer a short-term solution to a specific cargo handling problem. Here's where the option of hiring mobile loading platforms comes to the fore.

In such a scenario, you can take advantage of the range of sizes and types of mobile loading platform that is available for hire. Investing in a specific size or configuration of platform only makes sense where it will be in regular use for a number of tasks. Often, hiring mobile loading platforms means that, as well as having the use of equipment that's perfect for the job, you might have any necessary servicing included at no charge; a point worth checking with the hire company.

Whether hiring mobile loading platforms, or buying one or more to suit your requirements, the path to suitable units is liable to be no more than a phone call – or mouse click – away.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of mobile loading platforms. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Scissor Lifts Beat Gravity

There comes a time when goods, as well as people, must go up in the world. When levitation arises on the agenda, scissor lifts come into their own. However, as in any heavy engineering endeavour, two hugely important key words apply: health and safety.

Scissor lifts are available in a wide range of sizes and capacities; the costs vary too. This makes it possible to choose the right scissor lift for the task in hand, without endangering the loads to be lifted and lowered and, more importantly, without putting operators at risk.

Here, a further key word applies; compliance. Both the scissor lift and the site where it is to be installed and used must comply with BS EN1570. This, BS EN1570:1999, to give it its full title, is the British Standard for such equipment. Its comprehensive four-page content, mentions, '...raising and/or lowering goods and/or persons associated with the movement of goods carried by the lifting table (i.e. not for passenger use), for a vertical travel of up to 3.0 metres.'

We know the height our BS-compliant lift can handle so what about its capacity? Scissor lifts typically offer load ratings ranging from a usable 500kg up to an impressive 10,000kg. This broad range of capacities means that with the right unit, not only goods but also a complete vehicle can be raised and lowered at will.

This begs a question: how is this heavy metal made safe? The answer is with, in a word, forethought. It's usual for the company supplying the scissor lift, or lifts, to partake in a site meeting, to ensure that the location is correct for the proposed lift and vice versa. Compliance with the abovementioned British Standard is established and matters including installation and subsequent servicing are normally clarified.

In engineering terms, other safety factors are addressed. For example, anti-trap sensor strips are included to stop the lift mechanism dead, should anything be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Similarly, burst valves are included to lock the lift, should a hydraulic hose fail in service. A range of options generally includes safety-related hardware such as handrails, barriers, roll-off guards and mesh enclosures for the scissor lift's platform.

It may seem that scissor lifts just go up – and down – period. However, there's a distinction between a scissor lift and a good scissor lift. As well as doing what scissor lifts do by definition, a good lift will be both well built and tried and tested. It will be dependable as a consequence and can be relied on to do its job day in, day out. Naturally, a full servicing provision will ensure this reliability continues throughout the life of the unit.

So choosing the right scissor lift involves a combination of professional advice and the build quality that goes with it. When you're equipped with the right scissor lift for your needs, your staff will be able to work at the right height, for manual handling, moving goods to the required level or moving a complete vehicle to a level where it may be easily loaded or unloaded.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of scissor lifts, with a competitively priced series ranging from 500kg capacity to 10,000kg capacity. Contact Chase Equipment about your specific scissor lift requirements.

Modular docks, the fast, flexible foundation of loading bay equipment

With loading docks you must sometimes go with the flow. Modular docks represent a system that can be tailored to suit your requirements, over and over again if need be.

You may be justifiably proud of your fixed, conventional loading docks...until a task that needs a different layout and/or height comes along. You may have the chance to rent a standard, low-floored area at an attractive price but installing fixed loading bay equipment in it could soon make the deal anything but an economic proposition. The alternative – modular docks – aren't set in stone, or rather, set in concrete, and they have the advantage of giving you all the flexibility you need.

As their name implies, modular docks are made up of sections. Standard module types are their core components and these come in a number of standard sizes, each with a specified load capacity. Modular docks can typically be easily moved after they're dismantled and they have integral features that make them easy to use and, above all, safe. Peripheral elements, such as tough handrails, access ladders and/or steps, and truck raves enhance both flexibility and safety. It's also important that the loading bay equipment you choose is tough enough to survive typical ‘assaults' by trucks and forklifts...as well as those inexplicable knocks that happen from time to time.

The key point about modular docks lies in the modularity that gives them their name. Their bolt-together platform modules can be assembled in the required configuration over an unlimited area, to create loading docks that fit the available space...and fit the bill, for short-term or extended usage. The components are movable and their mobility means they can be quickly and easily relocated within the loading bay area. Moreover, their layout can be revised equally quickly as and when the need arises. The docks and any associated loading bay equipment can be used to enlarge or reduce the raised area and the variety of loading capacities available allows for the desired weight of operations. This allows you to tailor your loading bay equipment to cope with roll cages, pallet trucks or forklifts.

Modular docks have abilities that fixed loading docks are physically incapable of emulating. In addition to altering their location, layout and size, you can alter their height. This means that low-floored buildings can be equipped with loading bay equipment customized to suit the task in hand. This allows you to take full advantage of the fact that such buildings are widely available to rent at advantageous rates. Moreover, modular docks aren't limited to indoor use. They can be placed out of doors in a yard, either on a short-term basis or for as long a time as they're needed.

You have to be both flexible and versatile to succeed in today's competitive world of cargo handling. This is where the value of modular docks comes to the fore. They can be quickly and easily assembled into a structure with the required rigidity and load capacity. They can be disassembled, modified and/or moved with equal ease. This makes a system of modular docks sufficiently flexible and versatile to counteract the limitations of – and high costs imposed by – fixed loading bay equipment.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of modular docks. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.

Dock Shelters

Before and After

Dock Shelters are a relatively overlooked part of the overall loading bay equipment and yet they perform 3 vital roles.

Firstly they have an important part to play in reducing the heat loss through the open door, Not only is this an employee welfare issue, but dock shelters that do their job correctly can quickly pay for themselves.

Secondly they protect the goods being loaded from the elements.

Thirdly if you are at all concerned about your company’s image, poor fitting Dock Shelters can leave a lasting impression.

At Chase Equipment we manufacture our Dock Shelters out of proven material that will stand-up to both the environment and the wear and tear of constant use.









Our Shelters are made to suit your needs, we manufacture and install them ourselves.Using different materials on the sides , fronts and head curtains give flexibility or rigidity as required . Made in any size and quantity , from 1 off to 100plus .

Mobile Yard Ramp Safety Tips

At Chase Equipment our mobile yard ramps come with safety chains and chocks. As with any industrial equipment care still needs to be taken to prevent accidents and injury.

To help we've compiled 10 safety tips for using a mobile yard ramp:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps are constructed of steel and designed to support heavy loads. But be careful not to exceed their maximum specified load capacity.

2. When unloading always use the chocks to prevent the yard ramp moving, even if the ground appears level. Never use the mobile yard ramp on a slope.

3. The ground beneath the mobile yard ramp must be solid, ideally concrete or tarmac. Do not use on grass even if the ground seems firm.

4. Extra care should be taken in adverse weather conditions such as frost and ice.

5. The lip plate of the mobile yard ramp must be securely connected to the rear of the container or truck. Attach the safety chains to prevent any movement.

6. Drive at a safe speed when towing the mobile yard ramp to a new location. Damage can be done to the legs if driven over bumps and potholes at excessive speed.

7. If the mobile yard ramp is stored outside check for signs of rust damage before use. Regular checks should always be made of the legs, wheels, lip plate and deck surface. Any damage must be immediately repaired before further use.

8. Check the level of the hydraulic fluid on yard ramps that use hydraulic operation to adjust their height. Always look for signs of leaking hydraulic fluid.

9. Do not use the mobile yard ramp to enter the back of the lorry or container when the forklift truck is in operation.

10. Do not extend the mobile yard ramp above its specified safe operating height.

If you are considering replacing your mobile yard ramp then contact us. We have designed the 'Titan' range of portable yard ramps to be hard wearing, easy to manoeuvre and simple to operate. Our website has more information at http://www.chaseequipment.co.uk/.

Ten Benefits of Using Scissor Lifts

A scissor lift, sometimes known as a table lift, is a work platform used for carrying loads or people. It moves upwards when the criss-crossing supports beneath the platform draw together, pushing the lift upwards.

Benefits of using scissor lifts include:

1) Scissor lifts can help operators to reach areas that might otherwise be inaccessible. Larger models can extend to a height of 18.8 metres (62 feet).

2) Scissor lifts are so simple to operate and move that they reduce fatigue in operators, increasing levels of production.

3) Scissor lifts eliminate repetitive strain injury (RSI) by avoiding the need to bend and stretch repeatedly.

4) The weight of the load being lifted is distributed evenly, because of the lift's vertical scissor motion beneath a flat platform.

5) Different scissor lifts utilise different methods of power, so companies can opt for a hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical model depending on their requirements.

6) Scissor lifts vary in base size, platform size, vertical travel and height. They can carry different capacities from standard to heavy loads, enabling companies to choose the appropriate model according to the working environment.

7) Scissor lifts can either be stationary or mobile, depending on the needs of the company

8) Turntables can be added to scissor lifts to allow the operator to rotate loads. This saves time and minimises the risk of injury from heavy loads.

9) Tilters can be used on scissor lifts to allow the operator to position a product by tilting the platform, sliding goods off. Operators do not have to risk injury by lifting heavy loads.

10) When not in use and fully retracted, scissor lifts take up little space in a warehouse or office.

Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of scissor lifts, with a competitively priced series ranging from 500kg capacity to 10,000kg capacity. Contact Chase Equipment about your specific scissor lift requirements.

Five Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mobile Yard Ramp

The length of a yard ramp can vary between 10 metres up to 12 metres. Its width should be no less than 2.25m.

Ease of manoeuvrability and operator use are important factors when considering which design to choose. The front end of the ramp will normally have a towing hook or attachment device to enable the ramp to be towed by a forklift. Urethane-tyred wheels are ideal for moving the ramp. They are designed to be hard wearing but are inexpensive to replace if necessary. A hydraulic hand pump system will allow for easy height adjustment by the operator.

Light duty yard ramps can be made of aluminium but it is best to obtain one that is constructed of welded steel. This will withstand the rigours of the working environment with the minimal wear. A durable finish to the ramp with high specification paint will inhibit rust.

2) Capacity of Mobile Yard Ramp

The mobile yard ramp needs to be suitable for the cargo it is unloading. Its capacity must exceed the combined weight of the heaviest forklift truck and the heaviest weight of the loads that it will carry.

To anticipate heavy loads ensure the rated capacity of a mobile yard ramp is at least three times the weight of your largest forklift truck.

3) Mobile Yard Ramp Safety

Safety with a mobile yard ramp is very important, especially as you will be moving heavy loads with mobile vehicles on an elevated platform.

Choose a mobile yard ramp that has safety chains to ensure it is securely attached to the back of the vehicle or container. Always use wheel chocks to prevent the ramp moving.

The decking on a mobile yard ramp must have good grip. Open grill sheeting provides a tough, non-slip surface.

Always check the yard ramp for signs of wear and damage before use. Replace any parts as necessary.

4) Availability of Spares

Yard Ramps are built to last but because of the hard working environment in which they are used, damage and wear is inevitable. Only used approved parts for repair and maintenance, ideally obtained directly from the original ramp manufacturer.

At Chase Equipment we have ateam of experienced service engineers who will ensure the mobile yard ramp is maintained in good working condition.

5) Rent or Buy

Renting is the best short term solution if the use a mobile yard ramp is temporary. But because of the expense of transporting a yard ramp to its location, purchasing a mobile yard ramp can be the more cost effective in the long term.

We are a leading international supplier of mobile yard ramps. If you need a mobile yard ramp for a short period due to changing requirements, want to hire long term to minimise capital expenditure or simply would like to try before you buy, give us a call 01902 675 835 or visit our website at http://www.chaseequipment.co.uk/.

Three Essential Types of Loading Bay Equipment

Mobile Yard Ramps

Not every warehouse is large enough to have a permanent docking area. Rear loading vehicles and standard ISO containers can be unloaded using a pallet truck. However this requires the pallets to be arranged inside the container, allowing the pallet truck access. Often the pallets are stacked high with heavy items making them difficult to move manually in a confined space. It can create a safety risk for those involved.

This is why a mobile yard ramp is ideal. As the name suggests it can be easily moved from one location to the next. The ramp is attached to the back of the container or lorry. A forklift can then be used to remove the goods. Because it can be driven into the back of the container/lorry, unloading takes a fraction of the time that it would with a pallet truck and it creates a safer working environment without the need for manual lifting.

Mobile yard ramps can be rented or purchased. Renting is the best short term solution. Purchasing a mobile yard ramp can be the more cost effective in the long term because of the expense of transporting a yard ramp to its location.

A loading bay specialist can provide the best advice and find the most cost effective solution for your requirements.

Dock Levellers

When there is a difference between the level of the trailer being unloaded and the dock, a dock leveller is the perfect solution. Its height can be adjusted to the height of the vehicle trailer, which allows for fast loading and unloading using a forklift or pallet truck.

Made of a sturdy steel construction, dock levellers incorporate an electro-hydraulic system to enable their height to be adjusted with the push of a button.

Scissor Lifts

When not in use scissor lifts, or table lifts, take up little space in a warehouse. But when fully extended they can reach heights of 18.2 metres (depending on the type).

Scissor lifts work by the criss-crossing supports pushing a flat platform upwards when drawn together. Pallets can be loaded onto a scissor lift platform using a forklift or pallet truck to minimise manual lifting. The goods are then raised on the level platform preventing spillage of liquids or damage to fragile items.

Scissor lifts can either be stationary or mobile. Originally designed as an industrial lift they are increasingly seen in operation in the retail and wholesale environment.

Two additions to a scissor lift, that further minimises manual lifting, includes turntables and tilters. Turntables allow the operator to rotate the loads being lifted. This ideal if the scissor lift is being used in restricted spaces. Tilters allow the platform to be positioned at an angle. It is useful for sliding the goods off the lift so the operator does not risk injury by manoeuvring heavy loads.

If you need loading bay equipment for a short period due to changing requirements, want to hire long term to minimise capital expenditure or simply would like try before you buy, contact Chase Equipment for our current rates.

Specialist scissor lift installation

Chase Equipment have recently completed two scissor lifts for a new shopping centre in London. One lift is for disabled access from the Car Park. The lift and enclosure are manufactured from steel in-house and are designed to meet the hard usage of the environment.

The doors are automatic, featuring integrated electric motors below the floor. The lift complies with BS6440, 'powered lifting platforms for use by disabled persons', and BS EN 1570 safety requirements for lifting tables. The lift was designed to fit within an existing pit area.

In addition a scissor lift with 2000Kg capacity was installed to remove a transformer in event of failure. Complete with enclosure and interlocks, Chase Equipment also supplied and installed roller shutter door.

Tailored ramp and dock leveller installation

Chase Equipment have recently installed two static ramps and dock levellers for a Worldwide Chemical Company. The shortened Titan 7 mobile yard ramps are fitted to dock levellers on modules complete with traffic lifts and pedestrian access stairs. The scheme is designed to accommodate heavy usage and quick turnaround to vehicles. The static ramps were shortened to give the minimum length of scheme possible (whilst giving a workable ramp gradient) due to turning circle constraints within the road.

Upgrade and refurbishment of customer's existing equipment

Chase Equipment has completed a refurbishment and upgrading for a major dairy company. This included an extension to an existing modular dock, refurbishing of a scissor lift and repairs to doors.

In addition door safety was improved with fitment of anti trap strips, new buffers and traffic lights.