Dock Board vs Dock Plate | Similarities and Differences | Which One Best Fits Your Application Needs
Here you can see the difference between a dock board and a dock plate. The dock board has curbs, where the dock plate does not.
Dock board vs dock plate understanding the differences between them will maximize the structure of your workplace including efficiency and safety. Though very similar in appearance and function knowing the differences allows you to choose which one best fits your application needs.
Dock Boards | Key Features | Pros & Cons
Dock boards provide loading and unloading capabilities in heavy-duty applications and bridge any gaps that present any safety concern. They offer ease when using forklifts and other material handling equipment. Copperloy’s dock boards come in steel with welded curbs, aluminum with bolt-on steel curbs, and aluminum with welded curbs. Copperloy’s dock boards can be customized to match any specification, solve difficult challenges, or work with preexisting equipment or spaces.
Key Features:
- YARD RAMP Site offers 3 options to choose
- Handle capacities up to 20,000 pounds
- Made of Steel or Aluminum
- Strong, durable, and built to withstand high capacity
- Mobility For Your Investment
- Safety For Your Workers
Pros:
- Creates a bridge gap between trailers and loading docks
- Designed for use with forklifts and power jacks
- Option to lock to trailer and dock
- Flat surface with slight level off
- Side Curbs to prevent runoff and additional strength and stability when handling heavier weight capacities
- Easily relocate with forklift assistance
- Carrying chains and or cutouts- for forklift transportation
Cons:
- Heavier than dock plates (requires forklift to move)
- Slow placement and removal between shipping/receiving
- Must be inspected on a regular basis for cracks and wear
- Must be used in correct application both length, width and capacity are very important
Dock Plates | Key Features | Pros & Cons
Dock plates are very much like dock boards but do not have curbs. These are used to bridge a gap from one area to another in material handling operations. However, unlike dock boards, dock plates are a flat piece of metal with a slight bend for an easy transition. Dock plates come in either steel or aluminum and can reach capacities up to 17,000 pounds. Interestingly, the extra capacity that dock boards are able to achieve comes from the structural addition of curbs.
Key Features:
- Handles that Allow for Easy Movement
- Designed for lighter equipment – hand carts, pallet jacks, foot traffic
- Aluminum
- Constructed with a locking leg
- Cost-effective compared to Dock Boards
- Safety For Your Workers
Pros:
- Locking legs underneath to prevent shifting during use
- Creates a bridge gap between trailers and loading docks
- Typically made of aluminum
- Inexpensive
- Lighter-weight than dock board two people can move them
- Flat surface w/ slight level off
- Most have handles
- Easily Storable
- Rust-free
Cons:
- NOT INTENDED FOR USE WITH POWER EQUIPMENT
- Must be used in correct application both length, width and capacity are very important Most do not lock to dock or trailer with pins
So when it comes down to dock board vs dock plate you need to consider what will you be using your dock equipment for? If employing a forklift a dock board would be your best fit. If employing hand trucks and hand pallet jacks then a dock plate would be your best fit. With the correct dock component, loading and unloading become more efficient and your employees will be better protected from accidental falls.
Copperloy’s steel dock board just as great in grey rather than the traditional yellow.
YARD RAMP Site offers custom dock boards and custom dock plates to meet any requirement or unique challenge. Our custom manufacturing and fabrication team can engineer exactly what you need from start to finish! You can read about a custom rail board we did here.
When it comes to safe material handling, Copperloy’s inventory does not end at dock boards and dock plates. We offer customers a wide variety of American-made mobile yard ramps that provide a loading and unloading facility where one isn’t already established. This wide range of equipment includes mobile yard ramps, dock-to-ground ramps, truck ramps, and forklift ramps.
Learn more about what YARD RAMP Site can do for your material handling needs, by calling us directly at 800-321-4968 or clicking here and filling out the form.