Glossary of Loading Terms
GENERAL LOADING TERMS
ATTACHMENTS – Implements that can be added to a fork truck for load handling. Attachments such as clamps, slip sheet forks, and carpet poles can have an effect on capacity and should be considered in selecting a dock leveler.
BARRIER VEHICLE RESTRAINT – The portion of a vehicle restraint device that engages the transport vehicle to prevent movement.
CHOCK – Wedges of sturdy material placed closely against a vehicle’s wheels to prevent accidental movement.
CLEAR WIDTH – The minimum width each door opening must be to be considered sufficient for loading.
DOCK BOARD – A device for bridging the gap between the warehouse and/or loading dock platform and a vehicle’s bed.
DOCK LEVELERS – A manually, hydraulically, or electrically operated plate, located at the dock entrance, that can be raised and lowered to accommodate varying trailer heights.
DOCK PIT – The recessed opening in the building’s floor that accommodates the dock leveler.
DOCK PLATE – A moveable metal ramp that allows access to a rail car or trailer.
DOCK SEAL – A rubber or canvas covering that extends out from a dock face to seal the gap between the dock and the trailer’s entrance.
DOCK SHELTER – A cover that protects the space between the door of a rail car or truck and a warehouse from inclement weather.
EOD (Edge of Dock) – A Dock Leveler design mainly to be face mounted on the leading edge of a dock. It can also be pit mounted.
FORKLIFT – A vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads over short distances.
HOLDOWN – A mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic device that holds a dock leveler at a set height above, at, or below dock level.
INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE – Forklift trucks, powered or non-powered pallet jacks, or any other form of vehicles used to load or unload material on a transport vehicle.
LOAD – The load is the weight of a typical individual pallet on a transport vehicle. For typical capacity calculations there are a maximum of 20 loads per transport vehicle.
LOADING DOCK – The sorting or staging platform where shipments are loaded or unloaded.
LOADING DOCK DOOR – The openings in the loading dock area to the outside of a building.
MANUAL OPERATION – Placement of a dock leveler or a vehicle restraint device in its operating position by the manual effort of the loading dock operating personnel.
PAWL – A toothed device that when engaged with a ratchet bar limits the travel of the bar to one direction.
PIT – That part of the dock area that is cut out to contain a dock leveling device.
PIT STEEL – Steel edging embedded in concrete to protect the corners surrounding the area cut out to contain the leveler device.
RATCHET BAR – A steel bar with inclined teeth on one face which when used with a pawl only allows movement of the bar in one direction.
RATED CAPACITY – The maximum load which can be applied according to the manufacturer’s specification.
RATED LOAD CAPACITY – The maximum load for which the equipment is designed by the manufacturer.
SHIM – Steel plates that can be used to help level pit-mounted dock levelers.
TRANSPORT VEHICLE – A cargo-carrying vehicle (i.e. truck, semi-trailer, trailer, railcar) which may be entered upon by an industrial vehicle or conveyors to load or unload material.
UNSCHEDULED DEPARTURE – The event of a transport vehicle departing the dock before loading or unloading is completed.
WHEEL CHOCKS – Blocks of rubber, wood or metal placed in front of, between or behind truck wheels to prevent accidental trailer movement.
WHEEL RESTRAINT – A vehicle restraint that engages one or more wheels of vehicle to inhibit uncontrolled movement away from the dock structure.
DOCKZILLA PRODUCTS
PORTABLE LOADING DOCK – A modular, self-standing loading dock that can relocate as business evolves.
DOCK HOUSE – A fully modular, relocatable loading dock which is affixed to the side of a building.
RAILBOARDS – A platform that bridges the gap between boxcar and building floor to protect forklift operators and personnel at railcar loading docks.
RAIL DOCK SAFETY BARRIER – A forklift barrier that provides personnel and forklift fall protection at loading docks, on rail sidings, and around equipment.
TRAILER HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS – Truck and trailer wheel risers, levelers, and pit fillers that salvage the capabilities of unproductive, unsafe loading docks.
MASTS – Vertical hydraulic levelers that provide both fall protection and a recessed plate to mount a control box without projecting into aisle.
STEPS – Enables personnel access to the dock pit for opening rear trailer doors and cleaning.
LADDER – A structure consisting of a series of steps bolted to the wall of a loading dock.