The Differences Between Mechanical Dock Levelers and Hydraulic Dock Levelers

With many different types of dock levelers on the market, choosing the right platform for your facility takes some planning, many factors enter into the decision process. However, one thing that helps simplify this selection process is to look at the two most common types of dock levelers from top to bottom: Mechanical Dock Levelers and Hydraulic Dock Levelers.

Here is the content list:

• Mechanical Dock Levelers

• Hydraulic Dock Levelers

Mechanical Dock Levelers

Mechanical Dock Levelers have a spring-loaded system that requires manual activation by the dock leveler. The dock leveler worker pulls a chain that raises the platform and extends its edge over the base of the truck's trailer. The worker then uses his body weight to lower the leveler by walking on the leveler until it is on the trailer bed. With the trailer bed below the dock, the loading dock worker will pull a second chain to pull back the support leg so the leveler can reach under the dock. Mechanical Dock Levelers are an economical solution, they are easy to operate and do not consume electricity, and they are an excellent choice for smaller facilities without heavy-duty dock traffic.

Hydraulic Dock Levelers

Hydraulic Dock Levelers are motorized, can be started, positioned, and stored via a push-button control system, and do not require manual intervention by the dock leveler worker. Hydraulic Dock Levelers can typically be positioned within 12 inches above or below the loading platform.

Hydraulic Dock Levelers offer many advantages as a dock leveler solution. They are easy to use and can be used for a long time. For high-traffic loading docks, Hydraulic Dock Levelers are very effective and ensure fast truck access. In addition, Hydraulic Dock Levelers eliminate the risk of repetitive use injuries to dock leveler workers, as there is no need for manual operation when operating the platform.

Because of the positioning range of Hydraulic Dock Levelers, they can be used quickly and easily with many different truck sizes, making them an excellent choice for facilities where truck sizes vary depending on the type of product entering and exiting the facility.

Over time, Hydraulic Dock Levelers are typically less expensive to maintain because many individual moving parts are not used each time the platform is used.

These two dock levelers have their advantages. There is no unsafe place in the mechanical Dock Leveler, the Hydraulic Dock Leveler is more ergonomic, because they do not need to pull the chain or use the operator's weight to position the bridge, which means that the probability of injury to workers can be reduced, when selecting different dock levelers, budget, safety level, and other factors should be considered, so you can contact EVERBRIGHT Co., Ltd to help determine which is more suitable for your unique application.

It is the responsibility of each manufacturer to produce a Hydraulic Dock Leveler that ensures product quality, to meet the customer’s requirements of the dock leveler market. EVERBRIGHT Co., Ltd. has acquired many quality certifications like ISO9001 Series and CE. If you are in the dock leveler business, you can consider our cost-effective products.