Dock Leveler Selection Guide — Capacity, Platform and Shelter

Choosing a leveller is more than reading a forklift’s lifting capacity or a platform name. This guide produces a model/drawing confirmation record for a NORMDOCK leveller by matching load, vehicle height, lip contact and pit detail in order. Dimensions come from the dealer and project parties; Alkur does not provide site surveys or on-site installation.

Complete selection in seven steps

1. Establish the total working load. Record forklift self-weight plus carried load. A 2.5-tonne forklift + 2 tonnes of cargo = 4.5 tonnes illustrates the total, not configuration approval. The dealer’s technical team assesses working conditions and crossing load.
2. Compare dock and vehicle heights. Record bed heights for the vehicles used and dock level against one datum. The specification’s recommended +32 / −32 cm travel is not pit depth. Verify vehicle variety and operating condition for the selected model.
3. Match the platform to the crossing layout. 2 000 × 2 500 mm and 2 000 × 3 000 mm are different platform designations. Assess width/length, vehicle position and lip contact together; a larger platform does not alone establish suitability for a particular forklift manoeuvre.
4. Verify lip support on the vehicle bed. The hinged flap rotates after the platform rises; the telescopic lip extends forward. Lip length is not a safe vehicle-to-building gap. Match contact, reach and vehicle position on the project drawing.
5. Confirm the correct pit drawing before concrete. Record model, platform, lip type and drawing identity together. Building/electrical teams prepare the pit, anchors and conduit to their confirmed drawing; catalogue platform dimensions are not pit dimensions.
6. Match the shelter to the vehicle envelope. The shelter forms a semi-enclosed buffer around the vehicle; the leveller bridges height differences. Verify NORMDOCK shelter size, vehicle dimensions and door opening together.
7. Include supply and safety in handover. The authorised team checks supply, emergency stop, maintenance support bar and instructions for the proposed hydraulic/control configuration. Explain outage behaviour only from installed equipment and model documentation.

Separate specification references from project decisions

Item	Published reference	Confirm in quotation/drawing
Load	6 000 kg dynamic / 9 000 kg static	Forklift + cargo and operating conditions; not two moving-load ratings
Platform	2 000 × 2 500 or 2 000 × 3 000 mm	Selected platform and separate pit detail
Hinged type	300–400 mm flap, 6–8 mm platform sheet	Vehicle position and flap contact
Telescopic type	600 mm standard / 1 000 mm optional lip, 8–10 mm platform sheet	Reach, contact and proposed option
Height difference	Recommended +32 / −32 cm travel	Dock/vehicle levels, not pit depth
Hydraulics/control	380 V, 50 Hz, 1 HP (0.75 kW), IP54; −10 to +40 °C; maximum 70 dB	Installed model, electrical design and environment
Shelter	Standard 3 400 × 3 450 × 620 mm; optional up to 4 200 × 4 500 × 1 000 mm	Vehicle envelope, mounting opening and requested size

The EN 1398 reference is a manufacturer specification requirement, not an independent CE certificate or conformity result for every installation. The hinged brochure’s single/three-flap (1+2) option does not mean telescopic movement.

Using the pit drawing

The 2000 × 2500 and 2000 × 3000 pit details are separate drawings. Both show 80 × 80 mm angle and 50 mm conduit; other pit dimensions must not be transferred between them. Project parties assess levels, squareness, structure and drainage where needed. The technical diagram does not replace the selected drawing; confirm its identity/revision before concrete.

The shelter specification’s 3 mm/900 g/m² PVC and DIN 53352/53356/75200 references are material requirements. They do not establish HACCP/GMP certification, complete isolation or measured energy savings.

Final check: model and drawing confirmation record

Record leveller model, platform/lip choice, total load, vehicle/dock levels, shelter size, pit drawing identity/revision, supply and safety scope. Each open item identifies the dealer or project party responsible for confirmation. Do not mark the record complete while drawing/model matching, building preparation or lip contact remains unresolved. The dealer’s technical team separately records installation and commissioning results at handover.