In A Stable Condition: Mobile Loading Platforms

There's an old adage about a jack-of-all-trades being a master of none. It's fair comment but it could be considered rather short sighted. When it comes to load-handling equipment, there are assemblies that are in effect jacks of two trades - and masters of both. Here's how mobile loading platforms can be both stable and flexible.

Picture the scene: you have a number of dedicated loading bays but undertaking hand unloading of deliveries represents inefficiency at best, and downtime at worst. In another scenario, you may not have any fixed loading bays. The solution in both these settings is using one or more mobile loading platforms.

"If Mohammad can't go to the mountain, let the mountain come to Mohammad.", said the English philosopher Frances Bacon, in 1625. In this instance, however, the mountain (the loading facility) can go to Mohammed (the truck to be unloaded). How? Mobile loading platforms are equipped with forklift pockets and can be placed next to the truck in question, wherever the terrain permits.

So, what about stability and safe working? Mobile loading platforms are available with safe working loads of 3,000kg or more. They come in various sizes and may even be designed to answer your specific needs. They have flaps that sit on the load bed of the truck being unloaded, and chains are used to close off openings that are not in use. An access ladder is provided and handrails are included. You may have noted by now that there is no mention of a power supply or hydraulic operation. Mobile loading platforms need neither - no hassle, minimal service and maintenance requirements, no problem.

Mobile yard ramps are of a tried, tested and trusted design, as well as being simple, strong and stable. Consequently, the list of optional extras is small. There is the abovementioned range of alternative sizes, and bespoke platforms for special situations are available. A variety of gates and handrails are also offered; mobile loading platforms may be tailored as individual items or as part of a collection. Stability in use - and therefore safety - can be enhanced with the aid of securing chains and/or vehicle chocks, and additional anti-slip surfaces may be specified. Moveable castors are also on offer to augment mobility. Plus, British (and Northern European) weather being what it is, canopies are available to keep your personnel, and the goods in transit from truck to destination, unaffected by rain, or worse.

You could say that usually, a problem is a solution waiting to be discovered. Mobile loading platforms can represent the solution to any number of problems at the business end of the logistical chain. They can be stored until needed, placed with remarkable ease, need very little servicing and maintenance, and they can pay for themselves many times over. Their simplicity gives them a satisfyingly long service life and, in comparison to that of a fixed, dedicated loading bay, their cost is modest.

In the case of a loading bay on which the demands are particularly variable, the flexibility of the loading and unloading arrangements made possible by mobile loading platforms is a positive advantage. However, using them as an adjunct to dedicated loading bays also facilitates the handling of unusual – and even one-off – cargo-handling tasks.

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

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.