If you have a warehouse, loading platforms are an essential element. With the help of the right loading platform, you can easily move goods around. So, you can understand that the primary function of a loading bay is convenience and safety. For this very reason, they should also abide by the safety guidelines.
There are various types of loading docks available which serve a similar purpose. However, their uses vary depending on the specific environments in which they are used. Also, they offer different benefits, like construction support and product loading.
So, in order to reap the most benefits, it is crucial that you have a clear understanding of the different types of loading platforms.
Piling Dock
This type of loading bay uses large wooden beams known as pilings. The beams are inserted into the ground under the water, and the dock is connected to it via rollers or hoops. This type of dock is best used for larger boats.
Flush Dock
This type of dock is the most prevalent in the transport business and manufacturing industry. These are most suitable for heavy lifting, and you can flush the back of the loading truck against it. This allows a secure loading and unloading without causing any damage to the walls of the building.
Saw Tooth Dock
This is definitely the most innovative loading bays out there. It is suitable mainly for smaller outdoor areas around the warehouse. The unique shape of the dock allows you to fit it into very narrow spaces without hassle. The only drawback is that these are bulky. If you plan to operate within the warehouse, it will take up some of the storage space.
Floating Dock
These are large platforms situated on top of airtight drums. The drums float over the water surface. Thus they are called floating docks. You can get pre-fabricated loading bays and simply attach the configurations to assemble. The best part about this dock is actually that its height adjusts according to the water level.
Open Dock
This is a relatively uncommon option and not very popular in the trading business. The dock has an open platform and does not guarantee much protection. Therefore, if security is a significant concern for you, you should probably steer clear of this type.
Enclosed Dock
As opposed to the open docks, the enclosed docks offer better security and faster loading. However, this too is an uncommon appliance in logistics. You would also need an additional ventilation system along with this type of loading bay, which makes it very expensive.
Depressed Dock
This type of dock comes with a sloped driveway. With this, you will not need any separate basements. The slope allows the easy movability of heavy trucks. However, you must invest in sound planning for the driveway. You should not make the slope too steep (more than 10%) if you want to prevent toppling.
Conclusion
Remember that the design of the loading dock plays a significant role in ensuring proper loading and unloading. These platforms are handy in logistics as they allow the proper movement of goods. However, to ensure the most efficient functionality, you need to choose the right platform as per your needs.
With the list above, you can easily pick the right loading platform to ensure that all your logistic procedures happen smoothly.
