Loading dock, it’s ramp, and docking ramp sustain damages very often. They both carry the load of the product and the load of a forklift. And, sometimes the too heavy load causes the damages. Also, negligent forklift driver causes plenty of damages. However, I have to say, loading and unloading semitrailers is a tough job. Businesses must load, and ship products. They must unload products prior production. Therefore, damages to loading dock or loading dock ramp are part of running the business.
Over the years, JW Portable Welding & Repairs has been involved in variety of repairs on loading dock as well as variety of repairs on docking ramp. Although, we have never advertise this service. These projects are rather short and do not play a major roll in mix of our services. Now, perhaps is the time to say a few words about our repair services on loading docks and steel ramps.
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We have repaired practically all components of loading dock from cracked deck, cracked frames, dislocated hinges of the lip, bent guards, to missing shims. Also, we have delt with safety issues by repairing damaged safety legs at the bottom or legs attached to the deck itself. We have replaced or repaired bumpers, and installed bigger bumpers. Most importantly, we have aligned decks and lips as well as large hinges found at the back of a dock pit, so the loading dock can close.
We have also delt with hydraulics issues from missing hydraulic fluid, variety of leaks from the cylinder and tubing to replacement of cylinders. Moreover, we have also rebuilt some cylinders permitting parts are available. The industrial background in maintenance including certification of industrial mechanic / millwright provides sufficient assurances that this job will be done right. Call us. We offer the loading dock repairs within 160km from London.
Majority of these small projects refer to loading dock not closing properly. And, in majority of cases, the unit does not close properly due to damages caused by weight overload. Simply put, you must’ve load or unload very heavy object , with weight significantly above the weight capacity of your dock. Based on our experience, the load caused multiple cracks in variety of locations. Your deck’s back hinges are cracked and the lip’s hinges are also cracked. Fortunately, the frames and all safety devices are in good shape.
The repair will last a few hours. We will raise the dock to open position, then we will align the whole dock eliminating the dislocation of variety of components. Then is time to weld it up. We tend to grind off large welds that are cracked and then weld larger welds with high tensile rods. Small welds with cracks are welded up without grinding off. Certainly, prior any welding, we remove paint for better welding quality and for our health. Once all welding is finished, you will test the operation of your welding dock.
When your dock does not raise this is usually due to hydraulic issues. Very rarely, based on our experience there was an obstacle prohibiting the raise of your loading dock. In fact, it happen only once in last 17 years of dealing with the docks. If you see the hydraulic fluid spill that means the pump is working properly. And, you could have a crack in the tubing which is easy to identify and repair or your main cylinder is leaking badly. If you heard a squeaky noise for a long time when raising your loading dock, this is probably a main cylinder issue. Replacement of the cylinder takes a few hours since we have to raise the dock in what ether way possible to get access to the damaged cylinder.
If your welding dock does not raise and there is no spill of hydraulic fluid then we would suspect the electrical issue. If you have electrician in your crew than let him diagnose the issue, if you do not have electrician than we can send one of our subcontractors. In case this is not an electrical issue than we will focus on the pump itself. And generally, we would recommend to replace the pump. Rebuilding of these pumps is possible but it is not worth it.
Many of our clients have these ramps since they do not have loading docks, or they do not have enough loading docks. Many of our clients also use these ramps to unload loads with the forklift that are rather unusual for their business operation. Therefore, they first unload the unusual unit and then they store it outside on their yard. Sometimes, they want to bring the unusual load inside their warehouse but they have to reposition it on the forklift. In such situations, they also use the docking ramp to unload the unusual object and then they reposition the object on the ground in such a way that it will fit through the door. Loading dock ramps are useful and portable devices for efficient loading and unloading.
All large loading ramps or docking ramps have bar grating as a deck. Bar grating decks provide excellent support for forklifts. However, small mistakes of forklift drivers cause significant damages to grating. And, the damaged grating shreds the forklift’s tires and in extreme situations the large damaged areas of grating loose structural integrity causing forklift’s wheels going through the grating.
These damages usually appear at begging of the ramp when forklift enters the ramp moving forward. The forklift mast or forks in too low position cause these damages. Additionally, the same damages appear at the top of the ramp when forklift drives back with the load and the mast or the forks are too low. Also, when backing from the trailer the back wheel enter the ramp first and they cause problems too. Call us. We offer the grating repairs within 160km from London.
Most repairs of grating does not involve replacement of grating but rather welding additional flat bars and/or round rods. These type of welding require some experience since movement of the welding rod has to be smooth on very small area over the significant step out. Also, a few passes are necessary without burning through the thin metal. Overall, welding of grating takes time and effort since all welding we do on the knees in very uncomfortable position.
A docking ramp does not have hydraulic system available on loading docks. The typical loading dock’s lips are rarely used since they are very heavy. Instead of lips the docking ramps have sectional lip, we call floppers. The sectional lip allows workers to manually lift sections of lip separately instead of lifting the whole very heavy lip. These floppers when operating properly allow forklifts to enter the semitrailer safely.
These floppers take beating badly. We have seen broken floppers, badly bent floppers, their hinges completely disengaged, and their hinges jammed so badly that they are not operational.
Obviously, moving very heavy loads bends floppers and damages the hinges. Also, to big distance between trailer edge and the docking ramp’s edge bends the floppers and disintegrates their hinges. This can often happen if you have improper bumpers too. Additionally, lack of bumpers on the docking ramp causes the truck to crash floppers’ hinges. Call us. We offer the floppers’ repair within 160km from London.
Repairs of sectional lip or floppers involve repairs or installation of new hinge. Similarly, we perform same repairs on loading docks. These repairs require long welding passes in flat and overhead position. Additionally, these welds must be of significant size since the loads are significant.
We recommend replacing broken or bent floppers since welding or straightening them does not make economical sense.
All repairs to floppers are time consuming and should involve very experienced welders.
