loading dock height?

[Michael]

Can you back a standard M35A2 up to a loading dock and drive a fork lift into it? Or is there even such a thing as a standard height for loading docks? I am assuming there is since trucks back up to them and are unloaded with forklifts.

 

[clinto]

It's close enough that you can do it if you have a dock ramp. See pics.

I can measure our dock here at work if you'd like, docks are, more or less, standardized in height.

 

[Big Mike's Motor Pool]

if you try this remove your tailgate. i left mine hanging all the ay down and backed into a dock and bent it up real bad. another time i wasunloading a suzuki samurai out of my truck withthe gate chained and it bent the hooks to strait. i'd imagine a forklift would do the same

 

[mangus580]

Dock height is pretty much a 48" standard. Trucks seem to vary from like 44-52" in height. Thats why most places have a dock plate....

I have had my deuce backed up to our dock numerous times...

 

[rosco]

Docks usually always have ramps to bridge the small little "jumps" . They are never perfect. Your tail gate is not adequate to run anything over, accept small hand trucks. My rule: Never touch the dock with ANY part of your truck, any truck. Your asking for something bent. Even if you have to walk back and check yur fit, several times. Don't touch it. Its hard to trust anybody too. Its your truck to bend - not theirs. I don't trust them, till I know them. Most don't know how to back you anyway.

Lee in ALaska

 

[Michael]

Thanks for the quick response. This is at an old feed store that has gone out of business. I doubt that it has a fancy adjustable ramp like in the picture, but they probably have a steel plate or something. Is it trucks in general vary or M35s vary. From the pic it looks like it is a little higher.

 

[rosco]

Docks vary, so do comercial trucks/trailers. I have a relatively new semi trailer (Civilian) that is about 54". About like a Deuce. Smaller civilian trucks are usually lower. You about always need the stll plates to jump the gap, even when there is the adjustable plate.

If your dealing with pallets. Push or pull the load back to the end of your bed w/ a chain, so you don't have to drive in there. Also, the size of the tires of the fork lift, determines the gap that it will bridge.

Lee in Alaska

 

[Michael]

I am thinking about buying the fork lift. It has about 18 in solid tires.

 

[maddawg308]

Be sure to chain your truck to the loading dock, or put blocks on both front and rear of your tires, prior to driving a forklift onto the bed. I have heard of many an accident, some fatal, when guys didn't do this, and the trailer shifted and the forklift either fell off the back end of the truck/trailer, or went through the side. Be careful.

 

[TheBuggyman]

Be sure to chain your truck to the loading dock, or put blocks on both front and rear of your tires, prior to driving a forklift onto the bed. I have heard of many an accident, some fatal, when guys didn't do this, and the trailer shifted and the forklift either fell off the back end of the truck/trailer, or went through the side. Be careful.

That is VERY, VERY good advice!

 

[tsmall07]

 

[joec]

Looks like it was to heavey for the truck.!

 

[bulldog_mack13]

Yeah , worked with USF Reddaway moving trailors around the yard , it is policy to chock trailor tires , but i backed a Duece into a Dock on Ft Carson without a ramp but they are right , I didnt back all the way to the dock. We moved fridges in and out. A heavy Fork Lift might dent the bed in the truck also , but I havent done that yet.

 

[BEASTMASTER]

i'll bet the forklift weighs a lot more than you're deuce should carry .

 

[Michael]

The data plate says it weighs 6000. It will lift 3000.

 

[Crash_AF]

I'm assuming you're looking to drive the forklift into the back of the deuce to transport it back to your place... just a question, but how do you plan to get the forklift out of the back of the deuce at your destination?

 

[Michael]

With my 1952 Clark Planeloader forklift.

I don't really need two. It's a long story involving a girl that works for me, divorce, bankruptcy, she needs the money, etc. It turns out the place doesn't even have a loading dock.

 

[ATC]

Yes, be very careful loading that onto your Deuce. I work a Coca-Cola loading trucks ("clinto", your pictures remind me of our warehouse...which I just left).

Just 3 weeks ago, someone was loading a truck at work, when a third-party told the switcher operator that the truck was finished. Well, it wasnt and the switcher pulled out while the forklift was still on the trailer. The forklift had a pallet on it, and wedged the pallet on the roof of the trailer. That's the only thing that kept it from falling out the rear, and possibly injuring the operator.