Over 5 million workers are injured on the job each year in the United States. For most business owners, finding a way to keep their employees safe is a must.
If your business deals in the loading and unloading of trucks, keeping workers safe can be more challenging. Most loading docks will feature equipment like dock levelers.
With these load dock leveler systems, workers can load and unload large trucks with ease. However, failing to maintain this vital piece of equipment properly can lead to big problems in the future.
Are you interested in creating a dock leveler maintenance plan? If so, check out the helpful tips below.
Properly Lubricating Dock Levelers is a Must
The main thing you will have to do to keep dock levelers functional is to lubricate them on a regular basis. The parts of a dock leveler are always in motion. This means you need a great deal of lubrication to keep these parts functional.
Inspecting your dock leveler will help you discover an orange spot of rust that may exist. As soon as you notice this, you need to lubricate these areas. Lubricating will not only make the leveler operate better, but it will also help to extend its lifespan as well.
Work on Keeping the Dock Leveler Clean
Typically, dock levelers are in high-traffic areas. In most cases, high-traffic areas have large amounts of various debris and waste.
If any of the parts of a dock leveler are covered by debris or garbage, it will prohibit them from working correctly. This is why you need to work with your employees to create a dock cleaning schedule.
By instituting a comprehensive plan, you can rest assured your dock, and the levelers on it will remain clean. Involving your employees in the dock leveler maintenance process is the only way to ensure it is successful.
Test Your Dock Levelers Regularly
Some business owners only look at their dock leveler when it is being used by employees. One of the best ways to honestly assess this machine’s functionality is when there are no distractions.
Taking the time to inspect and test a dock leveler can help you find repair issues before they cause too much damage. If you are unsure about what to look for during this testing, be sure to consult with professionals for help.
Check Fluids in Hydraulic Dock Levelers
If you have a hydraulic dock leveler, it is imperative to check the fluid levels in it on a regular basis. Allowing the hydraulic fluid level to get too low can lead to the dock leveler malfunctioning.
If you notice that the fluid levels are consistently low, chances are you have a leak that needs fixing. Allowing dock leveler repair professionals to diagnose and fix this leak can help to minimize the damage done to this equipment.
In Need of Professional Help?
Trying to repair and maintain dock levelers without professional assistance can create problems. The last thing you want is to damage this equipment due to a lack of experience.
Are you in need of professional heavy equipment repair? If so, contact us now to find out more about the repair services we offer.