6 Best Practices for Installing and Maintaining Loading Dock Levelers
Managing a busy commercial facility means becoming adept at juggling a variety of different issues that are vying for your attention. From keeping operations on schedule and vendor selection to budgeting and staffing, it can be a demanding process, and loading dock equipment maintenance can often be one of the many responsibilities competing for your limited time.
Luckily, there are a few best practices that you can follow for installing and maintaining your loading dock levelers to help you maintain uptime, extend the lifespan of your equipment, and improve safety in your facility. Here’s what we recommend.
Keep All Moving Parts Well Lubricated
Your dock leveler is in constant motion, and it should be able to move easily. To be able to move smoothly, all components must stay lubricated. Without proper lubrication using a high-quality lubricant, unnecessary friction can lead to premature wear, corrosion, and mechanical issues that could grind your operations to a halt.
A maintenance tip from the experts: Be on the lookout for slow-moving components and for visible signs of rust. Those are the parts that need lubrication the most urgently.
At Creative Door Services, we strongly recommend having a standing appointment with our dock experts to inspect your dock leveler for signs of damage every three months.
Cleanliness is Essential
Loading docks are high-traffic areas, especially if your business relies on shipping and receiving goods throughout the day. All that activity constantly coming and going can make it easy for dust, debris, and grime to accumulate, which can interfere with working parts, slow down movement, and cause corrosion in the joints.
Maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule can significantly improve the performance and lifespan of your dock levelers. To prevent debris buildup and ensure smooth operation, we recommend checking and cleaning your dock leveler and the surrounding area regularly and ideally at the start and end of each workday, and as needed during high-traffic periods.
Keeping this schedule will help increase the lifespan of your dock levelers and save you money on repairs and replacements.
Monitor the Fluid Levels for Hydraulics
Hydraulic dock levelers require hydraulic fluid to run smoothly. This fluid is the medium through which power is transferred in all hydraulic machinery. Low fluid levels or contamination can cause your equipment to slow down and fail.
To make sure you can rely on your levelers day in, day out, hydraulic oil should be cleaned, flushed, and changed annually. Your dock leveler is a premium piece of equipment, so you should leave its service in the capable hands of a trained professional dock service technician. This will ensure the hydraulic fluid is given the treatment needed to maintain productive uptime and reduce the risks of expensive breakdowns.
With customizable maintenance programs from Creative Door Services that are tailored to your needs, we can inspect your fluids and service your levelers, helping you stay ahead of potential issues.
Perform Regular Functionality Tests
Testing your dock levelers is a key part of proactive maintenance. Observing the equipment during regular use may not reveal all performance issues. Dedicated functionality tests provide a controlled opportunity to evaluate how the dock leveler operates, helping you identify potential problems early and ensure safe, reliable performance with maximum uptime.
Common warning signs include:- Slow or inconsistent movement
- Trouble with the platform staying level
- Difficulty reaching the maximum height when lowered or raised
- Inability to properly attach to the truck’s trailer
If you notice any of these issues, you should immediately contact the certified technicians at Creative Door Services, your one-stop shop for maintenance on your dock leveler.
Read the Operator’s Manual for Your Dock Leveler
Have you read your operation manual? Whether you’re the facility manager or the equipment operator, reviewing those guides can give you great insight into how to properly care for your dock levelers. The operator’s manual is chock-full of valuable information that’s often overlooked, such as:
- Safety guides
- A component breakdown
- Warranty information
- Troubleshooting references
- Contact information for the manufacturer
Avoid Hiring Multiple Dock Vendors & Stick with a One-Stop Dock Solution Company Instead
Instead of trying to coordinate with multiple vendors, partner with a full-service provider who can do it all from sales and installation by real experts in the industry to repairs and maintenance by certified technicians.
We carry premium dock levelers for high performance to handle any freight including:
Take Your Loading Docks to the Next Level
At Creative Door Services, we offer complete loading dock solutions backed by over 55 years of experience! With advanced safety certifications, 24/7 support at most locations, a well-stocked inventory of replacement parts, and certified technicians, our expertise is undisputed when it comes to loading dock equipment. With over 55 years of experience, our team has an in-depth understanding of dock levelers, positioning us as the trusted experts in the field. When you need dock equipment installation, maintenance, or repairs, we are the one-stop shop for all your needs. Say goodbye to multiple vendors and say hello to Creative Door Services!
Contact us today to request service from the convenient location nearest you: Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.