I’m quite happy at reversing rigids generally, but never onto a bay at an RDC, normally off loaded by stacker truck from the side or pump truck off the tail lift. So this might be a daft question, Do you actually reverse right up to the wall very slowly and ‘feel’ the bump as the rear end hits the rubber stops ? or should you stop a few inches short ? and how does it all work inside the rdc ?
You would normally reverse up and get close (having first opened the barn doors…). Get out and look to make sure there will be rubber-metal and not metal-metal contact, then reverse up to just gently touch the rubbers. Then let it “relax” away just a fraction so that the lorry is not in firm contact with the dock. The idea being that as the lorry moves on its suspension when the loaders run on/off the dock, there’s no significant rubbing. The dock leveller has an extending/unfolding “tongue” that sits on the back of the lorry, giving the loaders a continuous platform over which to run their machines or pump trucks.
Ahhh, thank you sir, i was wondering about the ‘gap’ being dangerous if too much, but that explains it. much obliged.
Roymondo:
You would normally reverse up and get close (having first opened the barn doors…). Get out and look to make sure there will be rubber-metal and not metal-metal contact, then reverse up to just gently touch the rubbers. Then let it “relax” away just a fraction so that the lorry is not in firm contact with the dock. The idea being that as the lorry moves on its suspension when the loaders run on/off the dock, there’s no significant rubbing. The dock leveller has an extending/unfolding “tongue” that sits on the back of the lorry, giving the loaders a continuous platform over which to run their machines or pump trucks.
I’ve only done rigids so far, are Artics exactly the same process?
stu675:
Roymondo:
You would normally reverse up and get close (having first opened the barn doors…). Get out and look to make sure there will be rubber-metal and not metal-metal contact, then reverse up to just gently touch the rubbers. Then let it “relax” away just a fraction so that the lorry is not in firm contact with the dock. The idea being that as the lorry moves on its suspension when the loaders run on/off the dock, there’s no significant rubbing. The dock leveller has an extending/unfolding “tongue” that sits on the back of the lorry, giving the loaders a continuous platform over which to run their machines or pump trucks.I’ve only done rigids so far, are Artics exactly the same process?
Pretty much so, yes.
Forgot to mention that you might need to adjust suspension height to vaguely match the loading Dock. This applies more so to smaller rigids where you may need to lift the back end but also double-deck trailers (may need lifting) and containers (may need dropping). The Goods In oiks will normally tell you if they need it adjusting.
Also to mention that pillar type tail lifts will need to be lowered so that they sit lower than the load bed. Non-folding cantilever lifts will need to be opened and lowered close to the ground so that they slip into the large slot under the loading Dock (if there is one!). Be very careful manoeuvring with tail lifts anywhere other than their normal driving position - they will swing out VERY wide and are prone to catching on the ground, steel guides, parked vehicles etc. Dead easy to wreck the tail lift if you do this…
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