What is a Yard Ramp?
A yard ramp is essentially a moveable loading dock. These ramps can be abutted against the opening of a cargo container, semi trailer or rail car to allow access by lift trucks or pallet jacks.
Yard ramps have two basic roles and have two different categories:
- Mobile Yard Ramps: For buildings lacking a loading dock, they enable lift truck access to trailers and cargo containers for loading and unloading. This can be at a permanent place of business or a short term job site. Ramps can be readily relocated and the height can be changed to various vehicle levels.
- Stationary Yard Ramps: For facilities that include a loading dock, stationary yard ramps can allow lift trucks and other equipment to move from dock level down to ground level and vice versa. Because this type of ramp isn’t moved on a regular basis, it typically doesn’t possess the positioning equipment included with a portable ramp.
Yard Ramp Configuration
Yard ramps are primarily made of steel, but there are also lighter weight aluminum options on the market. The length of a yard ramp varies by application, but they are usually about 30-40 feet long. Ramps that are made for loading and unloading have a “level off” segment at the top of the slope so that forklifts are able to move about.
Portable yard ramps are generally equipped with solid pneumatic tires so they can be easily reoriented. Ramps can be rotated with a forklift using a positioning sleeve mounted on the low side of the ramp. The height of the ramp can be adjusted with a hydraulic pump.
Ramp surfaces vary, but are often made of steel diamond plate or grating. Rails along the sides stop lift trucks or other equipment from going over the edge. On the top side of the ramp there is a lip designed to extend over the trailer deck or loading dock surface.
Yard Ramp Applications
As outlined, yard ramps can either enable cargo flow to and from truck height, or permit vehicles to travel on and off of a loading dock. That can be advantageous in a number of circumstances:
- Vehicle Access To Buildings: Yard ramps can allow lift trucks to move without restriction on properties that have both a plant or warehouse and an outside storage yard. They can also allow other vehicles like delivery vans or small trucks to enter a building for loading, maintenance or other purposes. For buildings that require continual trave from dock to ground, stationary ramps are an excellent choice.
- Industrial Storage Yards: Ramps are frequently put to use in industrial storage yards where loading docks are not an option.
- Equipment Movement: Another common application is for moving heavy equipment, whether it’s for oil & gas, construction, mining, forestry or other industries that use heavy equipment.
- Work Sites: While yard ramps are common in the construction industry, there are many other remote work site situations where they may be employed: military supplies and equipment, agricultural totes, outdoor festivals and concerts, etc.
- Dock Expansion: If a plant or warehouse doesn’t have enough loading dock slots available, whether because of volume peaks or unexpected demand, yard ramps can help increase capacity temporarily.
Yard Ramps Near Me
For yard ramp questions, sales or rentals, contact a material handling expert at Welch Equipment today. We have a vast range of options for nearly any application.
