Elevating Dock Lifts

Overview

Turn any ground level area into a functional loading dock.

A simple and flexible means of accommodating vehicle height variations is the installation of a hydraulic dock lift. Dock lifts (aka elevating docks) can be built in virtually any size and capacity required for the application. They provide the ability to service trucks at any height and can also offer access to ground level for fork trucks. Pit mounted dock lifts are capable of height adjustments between 0" and 59". Greater efficiency can be achieved by utilizing a dock lift wide enough to allow side-by-side pallet loading.

        

It is also common for a dock lift to be set into a three-sided pit, recessed into the dock wall. It can also be mounted at the face of the dock, but may be an unwanted obstruction.

Dock lifts are also available in a low-profile design to facilitate ground to truck loading / unloading without the necessity of a pit. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with a hand pallet truck and low volume product movement.

When incorporating a dock lift into the overall dock design, it is important to choose a unit that will offer the greatest flexibility for the loading operations. Efficiency should always be one of the most considered factors. Dock lifts must be raised and lowered for each product transfer from dock to trailer; consequently they are less efficient than dock levelers.

 

Selecting the Correct Dock Lift

Determine the Lifting Capacity

Lifting Capacity = Load Weight + Material Handling Equipment Weight + Operator Weight

Example:

• Load Weight: 4,500 lbs
   
• Fork Truck Weight: 7,300 lbs
   
• Operator Weight: 200 lbs
   
• Scissor Lift Capacity Required: 12,000 lbs
  
   

Determine the Axle Capacity

The axle capacity is the amount of weight placed on a lift as the load and transport vehicle enters the lift.

This is the point at which the most stress is placed on the lift, as the weight is concentrated on one side of the lift.  Blue Giant scissor lifts have a single axle rating of 80% across the open ends and 50% across the sides.

Dock Lift - Stationary Model ED
4,000 to 20,000 lb (1,819 to 9,091 kg) Rated Capacities
 

The LoMaster Dock Lift Series from Blue Giant provides a safe and efficient way to handle endless materials handling applications at grocery stores, schools, hospitals, postal services and distribution centers - anywhere a low-profile workhorse is required.

Typically, a dock lift will cost 1/3 the price of a fork lift truck and will have a quick and favorable payback when compared to the long-term cost associated with operating a forklift and manually loading / off-loading a trailer. The LoMaster Dock Lift Series will also greatly reduce handling costs, cargo damage and employee injury common to vertical transfer operations.

                

 

Features

• Dock Lifts can be mounted in a pit or a concrete pad.
   
• Dock Lift Model ED Highlights
   
• Remote power pack 12' (3,658 mm) hydraulic hose.
   
• Push button control on 12' (3,658 mm) straight cord.
   
• Hydraulic pump with built-in overload relief.
   
• Hydraulic and oil hoses included.
   
• Up-travel limit switch.
   
• Motor, controls, push button factory pre-wired & tested.
   
• Full length deck beam for maximum support.
   
• Solid plate steel legs for maximum rigidity.
   
• 8' (203 mm) tapered toe guard protection.
   
• Handrails with 4' (102 mm) kick plate and barrier chain across both ends.
   
• Checkered deck and 18' (457 mm) long lip with lifting chain on rolling end.
   
• Hard chromed pivot pins at cylinder and center pin.
   
• All pivot points equipped with maintenance free lifetime lubricated bushings.
   
• Scissor leg roller bearings maintenance free.
   
• Precision safety velocity fuses on hydraulic cylinders to prevent platform free fall.
   
• Mechanical, hinged to frame, flip-down maintenance stop on stationary models only.
   
• Completely sealed, weather resistant cylinders vented back to hydraulic tank to prevent contaminant entry into cylinder.
   
• Complies to ANSI MH29.1 standards.
   
• Backed by an industry leading warranty.
  
   

Optional Upgrades
 

• 24VAC voltage control.
   
• Key switch on push button.
   
• Electric toe guard protection.
   
• Warning horn with volume control.
   
• Flashing amber beacon.
   
• Aluminum lip.
   
• Spring and hydraulic assisted lips.
   
• Mechanical pop-up wheel chock.
   
• Accordion safety skirting.
   
• Interlock swing gates.
   
• Low temp oil.
   
• Submersion heater for oil reservoir
   

Dock Lift - Semi-Portable Model S
4,000 lb to 6,000 lb (1,818 to 2,727 kg) Rated Capacities
 

In the event you find the cost of forming a concrete pit/pad expensive, an economical solution is a LoMaster S Series Semi-Portable Dock Lift. The unit is installed at the dock face and mounted on locating cradles and wear plates. With its extremely low profile, the LoMaster S Series provides added versatility for ground level loading or unloading operations.

The same high quality construction features found in the stationary models are incorporated into all LoMaster S Series lifts. Each lift cylinder is encased in a weather-resistant, all steel housing. Precision velocity fuses on each hydraulic cylinder eliminate platform free-fall. All hard chromed pivot points are fitted with lifetime-lubricated bearings or Teflon coated bronze bushings. Indicator sensor bars and high visibility striping provide four sided toe protection. Sturdy steel handrails with 4" (107 mm) kick plate and barrier chains on both ends provide added operator safety. An 18" (457 mm) long lip with lifting chain on the rolling end is standard.

Blue Giant recommends to order the portable dolly option to easily assist in transporting the lift.

  

 

Dock Lift Model S Highlights
 

• Remote power pack 12' (3,658 mm) hydraulic hose.
   
• Push button control on 12' (3,658 mm) straight cord.
   
• Hydraulic pump with built-in overload relief.
   
• Hydraulic and oil hoses included.
   
• Up-travel limit switch.
   
• Motor, controls, push button factory pre-wired & tested.
   
• Full length deck beam for maximum support.
   
• Solid plate steel legs for maximum rigidity.
   
• Handrails with 4" (102 mm) kick plate and barrier chain across both ends.
   
• Checkered deck and 18" (457 mm) long lip with lifting chain on rolling end.
   
• Hard chromed pivot pins at cylinder and center pin.
   
• All pivot points equipped with maintenance free lifetime lubricated bushings.
   
• Scissor leg roller bearings maintenance free.
   
• Precision safety velocity fuses on hydraulic cylinders to prevent platform free fall.
   
• Mechanical, hinged to frame, flip-down maintenance stop on stationary models only.
   
• Completely sealed, weather resistant cylinders vented back to hydraulic tank to prevent contaminant entry into cylinder.
   
• Complies to ANSI MH29.1 standards.
   
• Backed by an industry leading warranty.
  
   

Optional Upgrades
 

• Portable dolly.
   
• 24VAC voltage control.
   
• Key switch on push button.
   
• Warning horn with volume control.
   
• Electric toe guard protection.
   
• Flashing amber beacon.
   
• Aluminum lip.