Loading bay maintenance
Ensuring the efficient operation of loading bays is crucial in logistics and preventative maintenance is key to maintaining their effectiveness. Loading bay equipment and dock levellers serve as vital connections between buildings and transport vehicles and they must remain fully operational whilst withstanding heavy usage.
Regular inspection of loading bay equipment
Regular inspection of loading bay equipment
The aim of preventative maintenance is to ensure the seamless operation of loading systems and dock levellers in daily use: by treating high-quality loading bay equipment and dock levellers correctly it is often possible to avoid the need to replace major parts. The most common maintenance measures for hydraulic dock levellers involve replacing worn parts of the hydraulic system and seals at the edge of the dock leveller platform.
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems' maintenance service for loading systems encompasses more than just the legally required tests on dock levellers. Preventative maintenance also includes the inspection of numerous other components of loading bridges and mobile ramps.
Replacement of hydraulic hoses on dock levellers
Replacement of hydraulic hoses on dock levellers
Another relevant safety point within dock leveller maintenance is the timely replacement of hydraulic hoses, which should always be replaced after 6 years. The period does not refer to the service life, but is calculated from the date of manufacture - noted directly on the hydraulic hose by means of a date stamp. As oil is fed through the hoses at high pressure each time they are used, increased wear can occur even before the 6 years have elapsed, due to natural material fatigue or weather-related ageing.
This wear and tear can result in surface cracks, leaks or a complete rupture of the hydraulic hose. Since these ruptures can lead to the escape of oil, it is not only the loading equipment itself that can be affected, and can also lead to environmental pollution by the contamination of groundwater. Timely or early replacement of hydraulic hoses is therefore in the interest of your company, as part of the preventive maintenance of loading systems.
Regular replacement of hydraulic oil
Regular replacement of hydraulic oil
Another key part of preventive maintenance for hydraulic dock levellers is the regular inspection of moving parts. Within these parts, hydraulic oil is pumped under high pressure from the hydraulic unit through the special hydraulic hoses to the cylinders. In order to guarantee safety throughout this process - both for the technology and your employees - every individual part of the hydraulic system must function perfectly.
Connecting elements such as valves can easily become clogged or eroded, for example if hydraulic oil becomes contaminated after a certain period of operation. Therefore, hydraulic oil should be replaced after 3 years at the very latest, or earlier if necessary – to reduce the risk of ‘silting up’. The 15 reason for silting is when hydraulic oil is contaminated by air (and water molecules), which causes corrosion on the steel parts inside due to water content. The resulting rust causes increased wear on moving parts and can lead to the complete failure of the dock leveller.
Preventative maintenance of loading bays
In general, all individual and small parts should be checked as part of regular loading system maintenance.
Since both the dock leveller platform, including the swinglip or telescopic lip are exposed to heavy loads, intact weld seams at all joints also play an important role and should be checked regularly.
The condition of various cable connections and the cable harness should also be examined, as should the functionality of valves on the hydraulic system. Our professional service technicians at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems also pay attention to the lubrication of the hinges on the platform, including the swinglip/telescopic lip.
Preventive maintenance for loading systems not only consists of legal requirements for dock levellers and mobile ramps, but is supplemented by important maintenance schedules according to ASSA ABLOY's manufacturer's specifications.
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems loading system & dock leveller maintenance is available throughout the Ireland, to ensure that your loading systems are fully operational at all times and meet important safety requirements.
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems’ preventative maintenance for loading bay equipment not only covers legal requirements for loading bridges and mobile ramps but also includes important maintenance points according to the manufacturer's specifications.
This comprehensive approach ensures that your loading bays are always fully operational and meet important safety standards.
Memberships
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems is proud to be affiliated with key trade associations and industry bodies, including:
Door and Hardware Federation (DHF)
As an active member of DHF's Industrial Door group, we help drive standards for door installations and maintenance across the UK.
British Institute of Facilities Managers (BIFM)
Our membership in BIFM's register demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality solutions to facilities management companies and their suppliers.
Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA)
Being part of PPMA allows us to promote machinery sales and provide technical expertise to over 500 member companies, both domestically and internationally.
