You Don’t Need a Loading Dock
Considering an elevated loading dock (or sunken loading ramp or truck well) or searching for a facility that has one? Ask yourself …
“What problem am I trying to solve?”
1. I need to safely unload product from box trucks
2. I need to safely load product onto box trucks
3. I need to do both 1 & 2 periodically
4. I need to do both 1 & 2 constantly
If your answer is #4, a loading dock is probably best. You likely have a busy distribution center, warehouse, or manufacturing facility where product needs to efficiently and frequently move both on and off box trucks.
However, if your answer is #1, #2, or #3, your problem is simpler … you need to safely move product from truck to ground and vice versa. The ideal solution isn’t to raise your facility or lower a portion of the parking lot to accommodate a 48” flatbed. A single loading dock can cost over $100,000 and sunken ramps add both weather and environmental concerns.
The Ideal Solution is a Dock Lift
But not a “scissor” lift. Superior doesn’t manufacture “scissor” lifts.
Superior’s “Cantilever” Speed-Lift is a True Dock Alternative.
The Speed-Lift™ by Superior Handling is the only dock lift that incorporates cantilever-style lifting and automatic-folding safety ramps and bridges. Instead of using a scissor-lift mechanism underneath, it incorporates cantilever lifting arms at the end. It is the safest, fastest, and most robust dock lift on the market. It exceeds all relevant OSHA and ANSI standards and outperforms and outlasts all “scissor” lifts.
This is why the Speed-Lift has been the premier dock lift for material handling customers for over 40 years. Our customers have discovered that constructing a loading dock often makes little sense, and they now spec a Speed-Lift into all of their architectural plans.
Why choose a Speed-Lift?
1. 2-3 TIMES FASTER LOADING/UNLOADING - A Speed-Lift is 2-3 times faster than a scissor lift. The industry seems to accept that scissor lifts are slow. Plus, add to that the time required to move chains and raise/lower ramps (if they’re used. See next point). The efficiency of the Speed-Lift makes it a truly viable alternative to building a dock.
2. IMPROVED OPERATOR SAFETY - The Speed-Lift is also the only dock lift on the market with automatic folding ramps and bridges. These, together with non-removable steel railings, provide the operator with a 360° protection barrier at all times. The outer frame provides 360° toe protection. Scissor lifts require the operator to move chains and adjust platforms, which is often skipped and questionably adheres to OSHA or ANSI.
3. REDUCED ENERGY COSTS - The Speed-Lift only uses electricity when the platform is raised and returns to the ground by gravity. A scissor lift uses power in both directions.
4. INCREASED STABILITY – The Speed-Lift has a full load rating across the entire platform while the load rating on a scissor lift is reduced by up to 60% of the capacity on the ends and sides. Scissor lifts have an inherently unstable design.
5. LOWER INSTALLATION COST - Speed-Lifts are fully self-contained, have built-in bumpers, and are surface-mounted either on concrete or asphalt. Simply level, anchor, and plug it in. Most scissor lifts require ancillary structures like bollards to protect from truck impact as well as a concrete pit which can be dirty and difficult to maintain. They often have external hydraulics and motors that must be separately installed.
6. LONGER LIFE - The Speed-Lift has a proven useful life of 25+ years with regular preventative maintenance.
7. MORE MOBILITY - All Speed-Lifts have wheels, so they can either be moved around a single location or transferred to another location if needed. Scissor lifts are rarely movable after installed.
8. MORE FLEXIBILITY – The Speed-Lift can be modified to accommodate specific needs and unique layouts. For example, a Lateral Track Mobility system for servicing multiple bays with one lift, side-off ramps for sites with space constraints, extra wide platforms, and capacities from 5000 to 25000 pounds.
9. MORE VERSATILITY - The Speed-Lift lets you do more at your loading bay, even at an existing, elevated dock. Transfer loads anywhere between the ground and 58”.
10. MORE PEACE OF MIND - The Speed-Lift has an unmatched 5-year parts, 2-year labor, and 15-year frame warranty. Scissor lift manufacturers typically only offer a 1 or 2-year warranty that often does not include labor.
