How to Choose a Forklift Ramp Part 1

Al Ameen Engineering is one of the leading manufacturers of light and heavy duty forklift ramps located in Dubai, UAE. According to our experience,selecting a forklift ramp can be (also known as loading ramps, portable ramps, mobile ramps, loading dock ramp, portable loading ramp, portable loading dock, mobile loading dock, mobile dock ramps, mobile yard ramps, loading docks, yard ramps) quite challenging if you do not know for what purpose you would use one for. We have had requests from many logistics, transportation and oilfield service companies to work on custom ramp only later asking us to modify it later.

There are many factors to look into before choosing a mobile ramp which would suit your budget and needs. Here are some of them you have to check before deciding to buy one.

Purpose - What is the main purpose of using your ramp? Do you want to load your containers with forklift? Transport vehicles? Heavy Construction equipments? Different requirements have different designs and build when comes to making one. So determine the purpose of buying your ramp then head to specifications.

Capacity – Note the capacity here is total weight of the forklift plus the heaviest load carried by the forklift. Would you need 10, 15 or 20 ton capacity forklift ramp? The general capacity should be to 3x's the capacity of your forklift. For example,  if you forklift has a capacity of 2 tons, the ramp capacity should be greater than or equal to 6 tons (3 x 2).

Mobile/Stationary – Do you need a mobile or stationary fork lift ramp? Mobile ramp would be great if you need to frequently move the ramp around for loading on a trailer with the help of a forklift ramp. Mobile ramps come with increased price of heavy duty wheels and strong adjustable chassis to adjust the wheels.

Width– The width is very important for the forklifts to carry the material and to allow safely maneuver the forklift and adjust the entry. The width should allow room to safely drive your forklift or vehicle on the ramp.  The overall width should be 15" wider than the widest equipment to be used on the ramp. We can make custom width up to 120 inches wide.

Level off or Level on- Do you carry a pallet while loading on the ramp? If yes then you need level off ramp as shown in the picture below to allow forks to get the tilt necessary to pick up the end loads – a 36 foot ramp is recommended (30 feet of straight ramp, plus a 6 foot level off).  Forklifts which are docked to ground do not need  level-off, a 30 foot straight ramp is recommended. We at Al Ameen Engineering make level on or level off according to your choice.

Hydraulic Jack

Mechanical Landing Jack

Hydraulic or Landing Jack - We provide options to use hydraulic or landing jacks for adjusting the heights. Hydraulic jack costs more and is very easy to use though the maintenance can cost more & are prone to expensive malfunctions. Mechanical ramp has much better load capacity and is very easy to maintain. Mechanical landing jacks are durable and long lasting. We prefer to ask our clients to use mechanical landing jacks. If you have decided hydraulics then read this post before buying a hydraulic powered ramp which can save you time and money.

Optional features - Many optional features are available which can in safety, provide  mobility and durability to the ramp.

A, Tow bar or Ramp Clamp –Choose a tow bar  for moving the ramp longer distances and choose a ramp clamp for positioning the ramp for unloading a truck or moving to the edge of the dock.

Towbar

Ramp Clamp

B, Ramp Lid – Do you need to close the ramp to the door lid? Then you have to get the recessed lids to allow dock door to close over ramp lip. This would ensure the forklift easily enters the container.

Forklift ramp lid

Forklift ramp lid

C, Chains – Get chains to get to permanently dock to the trailer. This is to prevent it from slipping.

Forklift Ramp Chain

Now that you have read what you have to consider before buying a ramp, read optional safety features of forklift ramp that can help prevent accidents while loading and unloading materials.

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                                  Read the Part 2 of Choosing Forklift Ramps Here 

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Check out the Forklift Ramps here

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