Dockboard Selection Guide
Choosing the correct SIZE and CAPACITY of loading dock equipment helps improve your loading dock operation. The following guidelines will help you determine what dock equipment best suites your individual needs.
Length
To determine the proper length of dockboard/dockplate, three items are required:
- Dock height (D)
- Available in two capacity ranges
- Height of highest truck (T)
- Type of loading equipment used
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Width
Bluff recommends a minimum product width of 12" to 18" wider than the overall width of the vehicle or pallet used. For improved end loading efficiency, you may consider increasing board width, as shown in diagram. |
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Height Differential
Height Differentialis equal to: The maximum height of most trailers (55") minus YOUR dock height (you measure this). On refrigerated or container trailers, use 59". |
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Length Chart
| Height Difference | DOCKPLATE LENGTH | DOCKBOARD LENGTH |
| | Pallet Jack | Propane Forklift | Electric Forklift |
| 3 | 36" | 36" | 36" |
| 5 | 48" | 36" | 48" |
| 7 | 60" | 36" | 60" |
| 9 | - | 60" | 78" |
| 11 | - | 72" | 90" |
| 13 | - | 84" | - |
| 15 | - | 96" | - |
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Capacity Selection Chart
| 3-Wheel Forklift Capacity | 4-Wheel Forklift Capacity | Board Capacity |
| 2,000-2,500 | 2,000-3,000 | 10,000 |
| - | 3,000-4,000 | 13,000 |
| 3,000-3,500 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| 4,000-5,000 | 5,000-6,000 | 20,000 |
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Capacity
- Stackers and other narrow aisle loaders should not be used on a dockboard.
- Paper roll clamp and multi-shift loading add 5,000 pounds to the board capacity.
- Capacity rated for single-shift operation at a 3 mile per hour maximum rate of travel.
- For all railboard applications, we require a fully completed railboard worksheet.
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