What capacity dock leveler do I need?

Add the forklift's unloaded weight to its heaviest load, multiply by about 2.5, and round up. High cycle counts and three-wheel trucks push the number higher. The builder does this math for you.

Hydraulic or mechanical?

Hydraulic for anything used daily: push-button, no springs, fewer service calls. Mechanical where a position sees a few trailers a day.

Dock Equipment

Dock Levelers

A dock leveler bridges the gap and the height difference between the dock and the trailer bed. It is sized by width to the door, by length to the dock height and trailer range, and by capacity from the heaviest forklift plus its load with a safety factor. Hydraulic push-button is the default for daily use.

What we quote

Dock Equipment

Loading Dock Package: Leveler, Seal, Restraint, Bumpers

One quote per dock position: leveler sized to your door and fleet, seal or shelter, vehicle restraint, and bumpers.

Leveler: 6' or 7' wide by 6', 8', or 10' long; mechanical, hydraulic, or air-powered
Capacity: Sized to the heaviest forklift plus load, with safety factor
Seal / shelter: Compression seal or shelter sized to the door opening

DK-STDView & quote

How to specify dock levelers

A 9' or 10' door usually takes a 7'-wide leveler; an 8' door takes 6'. Length is 6', 8', or 10' depending on how far above and below dock the trailer beds range. Capacity is chosen at roughly 2.5 times the gross rolling load, higher for high cycle counts and three-wheel trucks. Mechanical levelers are economical at low volume; hydraulic removes the pull chain and springs; air-powered uses a bag lift with few moving parts. Edge-of-dock levelers avoid a pit but have a short service range.

Replacements are matched to the existing pit from its dimensions and a photo of the old leveler's nameplate. New construction gets a pit drawing for the contractor.

Before you ask for a quote, know:

Door width and height, dock height
Heaviest forklift and its heaviest load
Trailer mix and trailers per day
Replacement (existing pit size) or new construction

Questions buyers ask

What capacity dock leveler do I need?: Add the forklift's unloaded weight to its heaviest load, multiply by about 2.5, and round up. High cycle counts and three-wheel trucks push the number higher. The builder does this math for you.
Hydraulic or mechanical?: Hydraulic for anything used daily: push-button, no springs, fewer service calls. Mechanical where a position sees a few trailers a day.