What is a Yard Ramp?

A yard ramp is basically a mobile loading dock. This style of ramp can be adjoined to the entrance of a shipping container, trailer or railroad car to permit access by forklifts or pallet trucks.

Yard ramps serve two main purposes and have a couple of distinct categories:

1. Mobile Yard Ramps: For facilities lacking a loading dock, they allow lift truck access to trucks and freight containers for loading and unloading. Mobile ramps can be used at a permanent location or a short term work site. Ramps can be easily relocated and the height can be adjusted to fluctuating vehicle heights.
2. Stationary Yard Ramps: For locations that are equipped with a loading dock, stationary yard ramps can allow forklifts and other vehicles to proceed from dock level down to ground height and vice versa. Since this style of ramp isn’t moved on a regular basis, it generally doesn’t have the positioning equipment supplied with a portable ramp.

Yard Ramp Configuration

Yard ramps are typically made of steel, but there are also lighter weight aluminum styles on the market. Yard ramp lengths vary by application, but they are generally about 30-40 feet long. Ramps that are made for loading and unloading have a "level off" segment at the top of the incline so that forklifts can more easily maneuver.

Mobile yard ramps are generally outfitted with solid pneumatic tires so they can be easily positioned. Ramps can be moved with a fork truck using a positioning sleeve affixed to the bottom end of the ramp. The height of the ramp is modified with a hydraulic pump.

Ramp surfaces vary, but are commonly constructed of steel diamond plate or grating. Side rails stop forklifts or other equipment from going over the edge. At the elevated end of the ramp there is a lip meant to extend over the trailer deck or loading dock surface.

Yard Ramp Applications

As mentioned, yard ramps can either enable retrieval of freight or goods from truck height, or allow vehicles to move on and off of a loading dock. That can be beneficial in a number of circumstances:

• Building Access For Vehicles: Yard ramps can permit forklifts to travel without restriction in facilities that have both a warehouse or production plant and a storage yard. In addition, they can enable other vehicles like delivery vans or small trucks to drive into a facility for loading, maintenance or other purposes. For buildings that require continual travel from ground to dock, stationary ramps are an excellent choice.
• Industrial Storage Yards: Yard ramps are often used in material storage yards where no loading docks can be built.
• Equipment Relocation: Moving heavy equipment is another popular application, whether it's for oil & gas, construction, mining, forestry or other businesses that use large equipment.
• Work Sites: While yard ramps are common in the construction industry, there are many other remote work site scenarios where they may be useful: military supplies and equipment, agricultural totes, outdoor festivals and concerts, etc.
• Dock Expansion: If a warehouse doesn’t have enough loading dock slots available, whether because of volume peaks or unexpected demand, yard ramps can quickly increase capacity temporarily.

Yard Ramps Near Me

If you have question about yard ramps or need to discuss sales or rentals, talk to a material handling expert at Raymond West today. We have a vast range of options for almost any application.

Raymond West's Phoenix facility serves the entire Phoenix Metro area, including Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear, Tolleson, Peoria and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Phoenix Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2659 E Magnolia St
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 275-2228