A well-executed scheduled maintenance plan can extend the life of your dock equipment, assuring proper operation and making it more reliable. As a general rule, all dock levelers should be inspected a minimum of every six (6) months.
There is a general set of guidelines that all dock leveler technicians follow when approaching the inspection of your dock equipment. This list can fluctuate in length based on how frequent the equipment is used as well as the how much time went by between inspections, but some typical bullet points on their list would be:
- Check all safety devices on the unit.
- Clean the upper portion of the plate, lower rollers and between the side angles.
- Clean all debris from the pit or from the vicinity of floor mounted units to avoid any interference with the rolling mechanism.
- Inspect the hold-down assemblies, lip assist assemblies, and other mechanisms for wear and/or damage.
- Inspect the safety leg system and return spring operation.
- Check rollers, pins and bushings for any signs of wear.
- Check the springs for elongation.
- Inspect all welds under the leveler for fatigue or failure.
- Check general condition of the dock leveler.
- Operate dock leveler after service, check for any abnormal noise or vibrations.
5 Steps to a Thorough Evaluation for Proper Maintenance of your Equipment:
Our process for dock leveler maintenance inspections is fairly simple and straight forward. To walk you through the typical inspection process, we’ve assembled an easy 5 step break down.
-
Cleaning: Technicians thoroughly clean equipment and components under and around the equipment to ensure longer life and a more efficient workplace. This prevents dirt and debris from clogging working parts and causing premature wear.
-
Lubricating: By correctly applying lubricants in the proper places our technicians ensure that your equipment continues to work efficiently. This reduces equipment downtime since the components are protected from wear, moisture and corrosion.
-
Adjusting: Equipment that is improperly adjusted can waste time and create hazards in the work environment. Necessary components are properly adjusted to make sure your equipment works smoothly and consistently.
-
Inspecting: Once the cleaning and adjustments have been made, our technicians thoroughly inspect the loading dock equipment. Our technicians have been trained to bring small problems to your attention before they become bigger issues. At this time, predictive maintenance solutions are offered as needed.
-
Documentation: Lastly, we provide you with documentation to show exactly what service work has been completed, to indicate areas of concern, as well as recommended solutions to those concerns. This will save you potential headaches down the road.
