A modern loading dock may be extremely efficient in many ways. Capable cargo handling depends on a number of factors but two specific features stand out over the rest. Moreover, they interrelate.
The two allied notions of getting the trucks to the goods and getting the goods to the trucks sound simple. They are simple enough but in relating with one another, they have a downside. Placing the truck to be loaded close to the dock that will load it is an obvious requirement. Having an aperture that allows the goods to be taken on or off the truck is equally obvious; the resulting disadvantage isn't necessarily so apparent. Simply, where goods can go, so can wind, rain, sleet and snow, which is why a means of protecting the goods concerned, as well as the personnel handling them, is needed.
There are two devices for keeping the elements at bay, while also keeping the expensively-heated interior of the loading dock at a comfortable working temperature. Dock shelters and dock seals both offer weather protection and the maintaining of loading dock temperature; here, we'll look at the latter.
To work effectively, dock seals must meet a number of needs. To work effectively over time, they must meet further needs. The good news is that, as they are made to a proven design and constructed using modern materials, good quality dock seals will do what their name implies over a lengthy service life.
So, what must dock seals be capable of doing? As the compressible medium that temporarily makes the loading dock and a truck into a single unit, they have to be able to…
- Accept the compression load imposed as the truck is reversed against them.
- Spread this compression load evenly over their mounting surface.
- Maintain a heat-retaining, weather-resistant seal between the truck and loading dock.
- Resume their original profile quickly when the truck is driven away.
Modern dock seals fulfill these demands without demur, by courtesy of the experience that goes into making them and through the materials used in their manufacture. They have an energy-absorbing core that transmits the load the truck puts on them evenly around the aperture they're protecting. Their external skin is resistant to chafing, proof against damage by heat and penetration, and is capable of re-forming quickly even in low temperatures.
What happens if the truck is pressing too hard against the dock seal? In a word, nothing, because over compression cannot happen. Generally, the maximum allowable compression (i.e. the minimum permitted thickness of the dock seal) is in the order of 150 millimetres. A buffer stop is incorporated into the installation and this allows the truck being unloaded to compress the dock seal so far and no further.
This is all well and good but for two parameters relating specifically to trucks. In an ideal world, trucks' tails are vertical and a dock seal with a square section profile will work perfectly. The world, however, isn't always ideal and some trucks don't have a vertical tail. This is solved by the availability of dock seals with an angular section profile. Similarly, vehicle heights vary; to cater for this, dock seals can have adjustable head pad units – problem solved.
As will now be clear, dock seals provide a workable, efficient solution to keeping goods clean and dry, and the loading dock warm, in all conditions. Choose a high quality, well designed, durable dock seal installation and efficiency will be enhanced.
Chase Equipment are a leading international supplier of dock seals. See our website at Chase Equipment for more information.
