Dock Equipment in Madison WI

Northland Door Systems is a source for dock equipment. Please browse through the manufacturers’ websites to see a complete product listing. For information on pricing for purchase, installation, and other services, please fill out the contact form on the website or call our office directly.

1. Height of Trailers / Trucks accessing the Dock

48” is standard but some vehicles can be as low as 20” or as  high as 62”

2. Dock Door Size

Inside width on new style Trailers can be as much as 101” (8’-5”) and allows for a 40”pallet and 48”pallet to fit side by side. Inside Height of up to 114”allows for double stacked loads to max out Trailer volume.

3. Dock Height

48” is standard but some vehicles may require a lower or higher dock height

4. Style of Dock Leveler

Pit Style

Available in both Hydraulic and Mechanical models. Installed after the floor is poured. Easily removed for replacement.

5. Hydraulic or Mechanical

Which applications require fully hydraulic rather than mechanical Dock Levelers? Both types are available in a variety of sizes and capacity ranges. Hydraulic Dock Levelers, although higher in initial cost, have proven to provide lower lifetime cost due to  lower maintenance requirements. Added benefits of fully hydraulic Dock Levelers include smooth, quiet operation at the touch of a button and automatic return to cross traffic position. For operator convenience and years of trouble-free service, fully hydraulic Dock Levelers are suggested for all applications.

6. Dock Leveler Size

Talking about capacity, I’ve heard the terms STATIC, ROLLOVER and DYNAMIC being used. Which rating should influence my Dock Leveler selection?
Static and rollover refer to the amount of weight that a Dock Leveler can safely support, either stacked on the deck or crossing over it, while in the stored position.

Dynamic capacity refers to the total force of a rolling load that a Dock Leveler can safely support while in the extended or service position. This dynamic rating should be used when selecting your Dock Leveler, since it is the only method that considers true, live working conditions

7. Dock Leveler Capacity

There are three ways of determining the capacity of a dock leveler.

• The first is static load – the amount of standing (non-moving, non-impact) weight the dock leveler will support.
• The second factor is rollover capacity – the amount of moving weight the leveler will support in its closed and fully supported position.
• The third is dynamic load – this is a measure of the force the load applies to the leveler as it impacts the leveler in a raised position.

The dynamic rating is a combination of the weight of the lift vehicle and its load, its speed and the angle of the leveler above dock. Dynamic force increases as the grade increases, therefore, a longer dock leveler will handle greater loads, because the dynamic impact is less.  Which rating should influence my Dock Leveler selection? Static and rollover refer to the amount of weight that a Dock Leveler can safely support, either stacked on the  deck or crossing over it, while in the stored position. Dynamic capacity refers to the total force of a rolling load that a Dock Leveler can safely support while in the extended or service position. This dynamic rating should be used when selecting your Dock Leveler, since it is the only method that considers true, live working conditions.

8. Dock Leveler Lip Length

How much lip length is recommended in the truck at all times?
It is recommended that 4” to 6” of the lip should remain in contact with the vehicle at all times

9. Bumper Projection

Determined if approach is level or sloped to dock leveler