- Location
- Aston, West Midlands
- Main postcode district
- B6
- Nearby (straight line)
- Birmingham (1 mile), Washwood Heath (2 miles) and Smethwick (4 miles)
- Survey and quote
- Free, with a fixed written quote
An edge-of-dock leveller is a compact leveller mounted on the front face or top edge of a loading dock, with no pit needed. A short hinged plate and lip bridge the gap between dock and trailer, but it can only cover a small height difference above and below dock level, so it suits sites where trailer bed heights are consistent.
How does this suit sites in Aston?
Replacing loose bridge plates at a dock in Aston with a fixed edge-of-dock leveller removes the need to lift and position heavy plates by hand. Wholesalers and trade suppliers in Aston adding a second loading position can often do so economically with an edge-of-dock unit.
Exposed external docks in Aston call for a galvanised or well-painted edge-of-dock leveller that stands up to the weather all year round.
Our part of the job in Aston is to survey, quote and manage; the fitting itself is done by specialist installation engineers working under our management. The survey and the written quote are free. Once the fixed price is accepted, we agree dates that work around your deliveries and shifts, including out-of-hours working where needed. Every installation is tested before handover, and you receive the documentation for each item fitted.
Do edge-of-dock levellers need the same inspections as pit levellers?
Yes, an edge-of-dock leveller is work equipment just like a pit leveller, so it must be kept in a safe condition and inspected where deterioration could lead to danger. Its small size does not exempt it.
- Great Britain: PUWER 1998 applies, with HSE as the regulator.
- Northern Ireland: PUWER (Northern Ireland) 1999 applies, with HSENI as the regulator.
- Insurer inspections: engineering insurers commonly inspect dock levellers under PUWER at 12-month intervals, so ask your insurer to confirm edge-of-dock units are on the schedule.
- Standard: the dock leveller safety standard is BS EN 1398:2009, which is current and under review.
- Trapping points: HSE guidance notes that guards or skirting may be needed on dock levellers where something could be caught, so hinge areas and plate edges are checked.
Mechanical units rely on springs and hinges that wear, so an inspection should cover these as carefully as the hydraulics on a powered unit.
Should I choose a mechanical or hydraulic edge-of-dock leveller?
Choose a mechanical edge-of-dock leveller for occasional use and simple sites, and a hydraulic one where the bay is busy or operators need push-button control. Both bridge a similar small height range.
- Mechanical: the operator pulls a lever or handle and the lip lifts and drops onto the bed with spring assistance. No power is needed and there is little to go wrong, but it takes some physical effort.
- Hydraulic: a push button raises the plate and extends the lip, then lowers it onto the trailer. It is easier and quicker for frequent use and can be interlocked with the dock door and traffic lights.
Other choices include plate width, which should suit the wheel track of your pallet trucks and forklifts, and capacity, which must cover the truck and its heaviest load. On exposed external docks, a galvanised or well-painted finish helps the unit cope with rain, frost and road salt.
The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
What we look at on site
- Dock height and the mix of trailers you load
- Clear opening width and height for each door
- Working hours, shift patterns and windows for out-of-hours work
- Asbestos register and any other site hazard information
- Wind exposure at the dock, which affects door and shelter choice
- Escape routes and pedestrian doors close to the bay
Options to discuss
Hydraulic edge-of-dock leveller
Push-button operation with a compact power pack, easier for frequent use and able to be interlocked with dock doors and traffic lights.
New edge steel and bumpers
A replacement steel edge angle and correctly positioned bumpers to give a sound fixing and protect the leveller from trailer impact.
Planning, building control and safety law in England
Lift tables and dock lifts in Aston may fall under LOLER, with thorough examination at least every 12 months, or every 6 months where people are lifted. It depends on the equipment and how it is used, and your insurer or competent person will confirm. Dock levellers are usually treated as work equipment under PUWER. We check what applies at survey.
Questions about edge-of-dock levellers in Aston
Can you work alongside our main contractor on a new build in Aston?
Yes. For new warehouses and fit-outs, we can supply and install the dock package as part of a wider project, working to the main contractor's programme, site rules and permits. We will need drawings, dock levels and the programme, and we coordinate pit details, power supplies and door openings with the relevant trades before installation begins.
What warranty comes with new loading bay equipment?
New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by product. Our workmanship terms are set out in writing in the quote for your Aston site, so you can see what is covered before you commit. Check the warranty terms for any servicing conditions, and we can quote for planned maintenance once the installation is complete.
Will you deal with building control and planning for a project in Aston?
We check at survey whether the work is likely to need approval. Forming a new opening or dock pit may need Building Regulations approval, a building warrant or building control approval, depending on the nation, and external structures such as loading houses can need planning permission. Where approval is needed, we explain what is involved, work with your designer or agent, and build it into the programme.
Do edge-of-dock levellers need servicing?
Yes, they should be serviced and inspected like any leveller. Mechanical units need their springs, hinges and lip checked and lubricated, and hydraulic units also need hoses and the power pack inspected. Service visits are chargeable and agreed before anyone attends.
How long does an edge-of-dock leveller take to install?
Usually half a day to a day per bay, as there is no pit to form. Concrete or edge steel repairs add time, and hydraulic units also need connecting to power. We plan the work so the rest of the dock keeps operating while each bay is fitted.
Edge-of-dock levellers near Aston
The same survey, quote and repair service is available in towns around Aston, such as Birmingham (1 mile), Washwood Heath (2 miles) and Smethwick (4 miles).
Other loading bay services in Aston
Full guide to edge-of-dock levellers · Everything we do in Aston
Call us or request a quote online to talk through loading bay work at your site in Aston.