by Dan Holland, on July 14, 2023 at 8:54 AM
Whether you have a mechanical or hydraulic dock leveler, there are certain problems you shouldn't ignore.
Lip Problems, Weird Noises and Warped Plates
If your dock leveler exhibits one or more of the problems below, you need to have it looked at right away:
- Visible rust
- The dock leveler is making a weird noise
- The lip won’t come down
- The lip won’t fully extend/won’t stay extended
- The lip is bent or cracked
- The beam welds are damaged
- The deck plate is warped
- The plate lifts up when driven over
- The leveler doesn’t come up with you pull the chain (mechanical levelers)
You may be wondering, “What if the dock leveler is working okay? Do I really need to have it repaired?”
That’s a fair question, but what you should be asking is, “When would I like to be without a dock leveler for several weeks?” I know that sounds harsh, but consider this:
If your dock leveler was involved in a collision and hasn’t worked the same ever since, it likely has internal damage. These problems get worse and worse until the dock leveler stops working and is unfixable (we see this a lot). The lead time for a new dock leveler can be 6-8 weeks.
Even if your dock leveler wasn’t involved in a collision – that you know of – it’s important to get things checked out. When small issues are repaired without delay, you dramatically decrease the chance of long-term problems and your dock leveler can last as long as the building it’s attached to.
Dock Leveler Repair Done Right the First Time
The loading dock experts at MidCo Material Handling can quickly uncover the root problem and, in most cases, fix the problem in a single visit. We service all pit leveler makes and models.
Have questions? We’re happy to help. We’re a locally-owned business and our team takes pride in helping other local operations stay productive, profitable, and safe.
Auburn: 253-854-5438
Pasco: 509-547-7413
Wenatchee: 509-663-9009
Yakima: 509-457-5137
Related Reading:
Loading Dock Repair and Safety Training in Washington State
5 Loading Dock Products That Instantly Boost Safety and Profitability
4 Simple Ways to Prevent Loading Dock Accidents
