Dock doors and levelers are some of the most highly trafficked areas of a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing facility. These foundational elements must be kept in reliable, good repair to avoid malfunctions or breakdowns that could slow or completely stall workflows until repairs can be made.
If you operate a facility that uses dock doors or levelers, this maintenance guide is for you!
Common Maintenance Tasks for Dock Doors and Levelers
Every dock and door situation is different, especially if you have custom-fabricated dock doors and levelers. However, these industrial maintenance tasks should be practiced no matter how elaborate or simple your setup.
Inspection and Cleaning
Cleaning dirt and debris off your dock doors and levelers will not only eliminate possible trip and slip hazards, but will also help prevent clogs that may affect the functionality of docks and doors or even lead to breakdowns. Regular cleaning also gives you the chance to visually inspect your dock doors and levelers, during which you can identify potential problem areas and determine when other maintenance tasks may be due.
Lubrication
Lubricating moving parts will help keep your dock doors and levelers running smoothly, reducing friction and easing functionality. Keeping your docks and doors well lubricated will extend their lifespan and decrease the need for repairs or part replacement.
Realignment
Over time, levelers and bumpers may come out of alignment. This can lead to breakdowns or undue wear on parts bearing the misalignment’s weight. Regularly inspect the alignment of levelers and bumpers on your docks and doors to make sure everything is in its place.
Testing and Calibration
Sensors help keep your workplace safe by monitoring weight distribution and load balance when dock doors and levelers are operating. These sensors alert workers if the equipment is overloaded or unbalanced to prevent accidents. Sensors should be regularly tested to make sure they are activating when they should be and recalibrated to match the capacity limits of your docks and doors.
Weatherproofing
If you have docks and doors that are exposed to the outside of your facility (and you probably do), then you should prioritize weatherproofing. This protects them from the elements and keeps adverse weather from entering your facility when the doors are sealed shut. Weatherproofing may include rust-protective coatings and weatherproof seals on docks and doors, screens or curtains to control airflow, and weather stripping.
Preventative Maintenance
All maintenance tasks mentioned above are forms of preventative maintenance that you can perform independently. But if you want to ensure your dock doors and levelers are functioning at their peak, and to avoid the risk of emergency breakdowns, bring in professional mechanical engineers to inspect and maintain your docks and doors! This service may be offered by the mechanical engineering firm that originally designed, built, and installed your docks and doors like we offer all of our customers at Mathews Mechanical.
Emergency Maintenance
Even the most well-maintained dock doors and levelers may have breakdowns and require emergency repairs on occasion. In the event of an emergency, you should always have a plan in place to get your equipment repaired as quickly as possible to avoid costly delays. Have a reliable mechanical engineer on call that offers 24/7 emergency maintenance so you’re never left in the lurch.
Additional Maintenance Tips for Docks and Doors
Maintenance is only as effective as its implementation. If you want to ensure your dock doors and levelers remain in good condition and continue to function as they should, here are a few best practices for reliable maintenance:
Follow an Established Maintenance Schedule
Use manufacturer maintenance schedules and recommendations from your mechanical engineering and maintenance partners, and your specific use case to build out a strong preventative maintenance workflow. This schedule should cover everything from daily and weekly maintenance (cleaning, inspections, lubrication) to less regular maintenance tasks (professional inspections, alignment, calibration).
Use Maintenance Checklists
After determining a preventative maintenance schedule, create checklists for your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance workflows. These checklists will help your staff stay on top of maintenance for your dock doors and levelers, ensuring they don’t forget a step and giving them a procedure for reporting any signs of damage.
Train Your Staff
Staff training is essential to keeping your dock doors and levelers well-maintained and safely operational! Any employee who is operating dock doors and levelers should be thoroughly trained on safe operating procedures as well as performing routine maintenance.
Docks and Doors by Mathews Mechanical
If your facility needs new dock doors and levelers, Mathews Mechanical is here to help! Our custom-fabricated designs are built to your specifications, ensuring a perfect fit that is made to bear the weight of your processes. If you already have docks and doors that work well but don’t have a reliable partner for industrial maintenance, we can help with that too! Contact us to discuss your needs and how we can be of service.
