Simple answer: $3,500 - $10,000 for a pit mounted leveler(Material ONLY)
There are numerous considerations when pricing a dock leveler.
Manual activation (mechanical) vs. Powered (hydraulic, air bag)
Size: 6'x6' up to 7'x12'
Capacity: 30,000lbs up to 80,000lbs
The total cost of a leveler will include freight, tax and installation
Budget $7,500 for a leveler from a reputable manufacturer.
Cheap levelers come at a HIGH cost to your facility.
Down-time and inability to ship/receive
Frequent repairs and costly parts
SAFETY. SAFETY. SAFETY. SAFETY.
What does a dock leveler do?
Simple answer: allow a forklift to safely load/unload a semi-truck
Because not all loading docks and trailers are the same height, we must bridge the gap between the building and truck in a way that allows for the safe & efficient loading of trailers.
In general, a longer leveler will provide greater service range, allowing you to service very tall or short trailers.
What is the standard loading dock height?
Simple answer: 48"
Some facilities may choose a different dock height based upon unique trailer configurations.
An incline or decline approach can affect the the dock height.
How do you calculate dock leveler capacity?
Simple answer: Take the combined weight of your forklift and load, multiplied by 2.55
Example: 12,000lb forklift + 3,500lb load x 2.55 = 39,525. Round up to 40,000.
There are many factors that influence leveler capacity.
Gross weight of vehicle and load
Number of trailers serviced per day
3-wheel or 4-wheel forklifts
Height differential between dock and trailer
Slope %of dock approach
Be extremely careful of dock leveler companies who calculate capacity with letters
Example: Capacity "G," Capacity "H," Capacity "J," et cetera
These capacity labels are meant to disguise the true ANSI rating
How much does a dock leveler weigh?
Simple answer: 1,200lbs to 3,500lbs
Weights can vary greatly based upon size and capacity
Greater capacity translates into thicker steel, meant to accommodate heavier loads.
