Steel Dock Boards - Vulcan Mfg., Inc.

	STEEL DOCK BOARDS


This page includes information about: Description (below), Many Options, Dimensions & Specifications, Contact Information & Price Quote.

The Steel Dock Board is used as a bridge between a dock and a container vehicle. The dock board easily travels via a forklift to the site by lifting the dock board up by the lifting chains or lifting loops. Once in place the dock board is secured by lowering the locking pins that are attached to the lifting chains. To remove the dock board simply raise the locking pins and with a forklift pull the dock board out of position either by the lift chains or lifting loops and locate the dock board to a new site. The steel construction can be designed to fit a variety of consumer needs. VMI caters to the demand placed upon your transportation facility.

Many Options

Locking pins, 1" x 20" special alloy steel ping 5" high x 3" wide rounded smooth side rail on 2" center to prevent runoff and beveled each end to reduce tire damage, yet permit easy entry both ends of plate

Optional automatic locking loops

Optional lifting loops -- flush with top of plate
when not in use, new style heavy duty shown.

Lift chain standard
on all boards.

Special dock boards are our specialty
from 10,000 to 60,000 capacity.

Dock ramp -- board, combination ramp
dock boards available for extreme height differentials.

Combination truck-rail for special applications available

Custom built truck or railroad, combination boards and dock plates
are all welded steel with optional locking systems and lifting devices.

Price Quote

Dimensions & Specifications

OVERALL LENGTH FORMULA
L =	H x	ANGLE FACTOR +	9 INCHES

Overall Length	Height Differential	(see table below)	for the lip

degree
of slope
angle*

factor

degree
of slope
angle*

factor

degree
of slope
angle*

factor

1°
2°
3°
4°
5°

57.29
28.64
19.08
14.30
11.43

6°
7°
8°
9°
10°

9.51
8.14
7.12
6.31
5.67

11°
12°
13°
14°
15°

5.14
4.70
4.33
4.01
3.73

*Note:

To convert percentage of grade to degree of grade divide percentage figure by 1.7.

C Axle Capacity. To determine the axle capacity add the weight of the fork lift truck to the weight of its maximum cargo. Then multiply the total by 80 since the front axle will usually carry no more than 80% of the total load.

L Length (Overall). The length equals the slope length plus 9 inches for the lip. To determine the slope length you must first decide on the slope angle that you want. This may vary from five degrees for walking pallet trucks up to sixteen degrees for hand truck operations. Ten to twelve degrees is standard for fork truck operations. Once you have chosen the angle you want then you can calculate the overall length using the formula below.

L=H x Angle Factor + 9 Inches
L=overall length; H=height differential; Angle Factor=see table below; Inches=for the lip.
If your application has very low height differential, and if you calculated overall length turns out to be less than 24 inches, we recommend using a 36 inch length.

W Width (Overall). The width should be selected to allow ample turning room. Also remember that the dock board side rails will reduce the useable width by from four to six inches. We recommend that you do not skimp on the width.

H Height Differential. The height differential is the distance of the truck floor (for the highest truck you wish to accommodate) above the dock. This can be calculated by subtracting the dock height from the truck bed height.
In cases where the truck floor is lower than the dock floor, the dock board is turned end for end so that the lip rests on the dock instead of the truck. This dimension is the greatest differential you wish to accommodate, whether the truck bed is above or below your dock level.

sales@vmihoppers.com engineer@vmihoppers.com	Postal Mail: 1007 W. North St. Salina, KS 67401

Fax: 785-825-1996	Toll Free: 888-826-5401	Local: 785-825-5401