Four of the most common types of dock leveler

 There is no one dock for all purposes, so there are different types of dock leveler. Some examples include hydraulic dock leveler, mechanical dock leveler, air dock leveler, vertical dock leveler and more. Check them out here, or read on to learn what these major types of levelers actually are.

Mechanical dock leveler

Also known as mechanical pit leveler, it is the most common type of pit leveler and usually the least expensive. This style of leveler uses a mechanical spring system to lift the leveler and is typically "upward biased". This means that the springs tend to force the leveler deck all the way up, and the restraints are preventing that movement. These mechanical levelers do not require power at the dock. These levelers tend to be the most expensive to repair and maintain for life.

Air Pit Leveler

Also known as an air dock leveler (dock plate), this model uses some type of pneumatic bag system to raise and lower the platform deck. Apparently, this straightener requires some type of power source - either at or near the dock. Most typically, that power source will be a standard 110v supply. Typically, these straighteners are a bit more expensive than mechanical straighteners, but can reduce repair and maintenance requirements compared to mechanical units.

Hydraulic Pit Leveler

Also known as hydraulic dock leveler (Dock Plate), it is the most versatile of the pit-type levelers. A hydraulic cylinder is used to raise and lower the deck, while another hydraulic cylinder is usually used to operate the lip. These levelers may come in a variety of configurations and can be powered by everything from 110V single phase to 575V three phase. Hydraulic options give you more versatility than mechanical or air loading platforms and often have lower service and maintenance costs.

Vertical dock leveler

Vertical levelers as the name suggests - loading and unloading platforms stored in a vertical position. Why is this desirable? This allows you to store the platform machine inside the building and close the platform door on the concrete instead of across the platform like a pit platform. This should allow for better control of the environment in the building. These vertical loading platforms are typically used in food service applications or areas that need to be flushed. Vertical platforms are typically mounted on a pit or rack type and are hydraulically operated.