1, Select the Right Length
2, Electric or Gas Powered Forklift?
3, Get the Right Width
4, Get the Capacity of Forklift
Frequency - By frequency we mean how many times will you use dock leveler to load and unload which can affect the longevity of your dock leveler.
Gross Weight - By gross weight we mean heaviest capacity a forklift can carry including the attachments plus the weight of the forklift including the driver. Here is the breakdown of the forklift capacity.
5, Safety Features on Dock Leveler
Free-fall Protection - If there is a load on the dock leveler and the trailer pulls away from the dock, there is heavy load on the platform, the leveler may drop which can endanger the personnel and the cargo. A free-fall system in place can prevent the fall like velocity safety fuse found in hydraulic systems and supporting legs found in mechanical models.
Vehicle Restraints - Many accidents are caused when the trailer makes unexpected departure from the dock.To prevent this from happening it is advisable to use vehicle restraints which should not be considered as replacement for built-in leveler free fall safety system.