Yard ramps are loading dock ramps that allow forklifts to enter shipping containers or trucks in facilities that lack elevated loading docks, or they allow forklifts to move from an elevated dock onto the ground. Pneumatic wheels on the ramps allow them to be moved into place by fork trucks, and hydraulic pumps that are built into the units allow them to be positioned at the precise height of a truck trailer bed, rail car, or loading dock.

Both dock to ground yard ramps and ground to truck yard ramps are made with an all steel welded construction and reinforced by heavy duty steel side girders to give them maximum load bearing capacity. Weight capacities range from 16,000 to 60,000 pounds, with a number of length and width sizes available. Serrated grating provides excellent traction and prevents buildup of water, snow, oil, grease and miscellaneous debris. The lower end approach plate provides maximum support and smooth transition onto the ramp grating surface. Deep side members prevent forklift runoff and reinforce load capacity.

Both dock to ground yard ramps and ground to truck yard ramps are made with an all steel welded construction and reinforced by heavy duty steel side girders to give them maximum load bearing capacity.Yard ramps are critical pieces of loading dock equipment in any warehouse or factory that lacks an elevated loading dock. They allow work crews to bridge the gap between the building and the trailer and quickly move supplies off the truck by forklifts. This is much safer and cost effective than unloading and loading containers by hand. In other instances, however, the reverse may be true. A building with a large outdoor stockyard may require a forklift to move from the loading dock onto the ground to either retrieve or organize supplies outdoors. This is common in shipyards and rail yards, and it requires a dock to ground ramp that will allow vehicles to safely move from the dock to the yard.

On construction sites, yard ramps are often used in conjunction with steel loading platforms, which can be connected together to create loading dock areas that service multiple trucks at once. The size of the ramp used depends upon a number of factors relative to the weight of the heaviest forklift and the heaviest load being moved along the ramp. Easy Rack recommends choosing a unit that is three times the rated capacity of the lift truck it supports. Rail yards should use a 36' unit that includes a level off.

A six-foot level off at the end of the yard ramp adds maneuverability for forklifts. It allows forklifts easier turning access into railcars, and it allows them to handle pallets next to the door openings. The 36' ramp is also the most popular unit wherever end-loading is required. When deciding on the width of the yard ramp to use, it should always be 15" wider than the widest equipment moved along its surface.

For multiple shifts and facilities that are moving a wide range of equipment and materials, yard ramps may need to be further customized. Optional features such as safety chains, ramp clamps, and tow bars offer a number of specific benefits ideal for different loading and material handling environments. Talk to a material handling specialist about these options and how they can benefit your operation and process flow.