2021-07-07 Loading dock maintenance | Dock repair & preventive plans to keep your loading dock equipment running in Edmonton 

What is preventative maintenance on loading dock equipment? 

All relate to maintaining any piece of moving equipment in your warehouse including; loading dock equipment; dock levelers, edge of dock levelers, scissor lift, vehicle restraints, overhead doors, inflatable dock seals/shelters and dock lifts. Let's start with defining what preventative maintenance is:  

Why is loading dock maintenance important for your organization?  

To know why it is important, you need to consider what goals need to be achieved setting up for a loading dock preventative maintenance program.  Just like your vehicle, a regular service or preventative maintenance plan will help your vehicle run longer, work more efficiently, safely and will also inform you of any upcoming repairs, replacement or service needed which may not be urgent at the time of your last service. 

This concept also applies to your loading dock equipment. Your dock leveler works long hard hours and preventative maintenance allows for your dock equipment to run longer without breaking down. Not only will it help dock loading equipment as a whole. It will ensure that the parts, springs, and loading dock equipment last longer; work more efficiently and safely.  

Servicing your loading dock will decrease the down time significantly as compared to doing reactive maintenance which can result in negative utilization on that piece of equipment. In the end this will cost you/or the customer in the long term. In most cases, down time on loading dock equipment costs more than what a regular preventative maintenance would cost not including the repairs, replacement or service.  

Regular loading dock maintenance will keep you aware of any: 

• Upcoming repairs 
• Replacements 
• Adjustments or other services 

This prevents down time and allows you to schedule a time more convenient to have the necessary repairs, replacements, adjustments or other services completed. Maintain and service your equipment to minimize large repair bills on your dock leveler.  

How often should a dock leveler be serviced in Edmonton? 

It depends on how many loading docks and how often your dock equipment is operated (times a day or month or even a year). Our winter climate and cold conditions play a factor in determining in setting up preventative maintenance frequencies. It is best to contact a Willtec representative to come by and do a routine check on your loading dock equipment. This will help us in providing an accurate estimate on frequencies and costs.

General rules considered to determine maintenance service frequencies 

• Small to medium size businesses – annual preventive maintenance service is recommended (can change if they have one or 2 docks that are working continuously throughout the day
• Medium to Large size businesses – semi-annually is recommended (can also change annually if not used regularly)
• Larger Distribution centers – quarterly service is recommended

Loading dock inspection checklist  

At Willtec, we strongly encourage our customers to not attempt repairing the dock levelers unless they know what safety precautions to follow. However, doing a visual inspection can be useful.  If you see any leaks, ripped dock seals, damaged bumpers, loose tracks on overhead doors, broken springs on overhead doors, damaged overhead door panels or bottom seals, weather-stripping and overall damages/ware around the loading dock it is recommended you have a loading dock professional come in and do a full inspection. 

Advantages of a Preventive Maintenance plan

The process of scheduling routinely planned maintenance is critical for organisations that rely on their assets for revenue. This is why preventive maintenance is an approach most asset-reliant companies choose over other strategies such as reactive maintenance. The advantages of preventative maintenance include: 

• Reduced unplanned downtime 
• Fewer breakdowns of  loading dock equipment  
• Improved reliability of loading dock equipment 
• Fewer expensive corrective and emergency repairs 
• A prolonged life expectancy of loading dock equipment 
• Increased safety and reduced risk of injury 

What to expect in Willtec’s preventative maintenance service in Edmonton 

At Willtec we can customize a service program based on the frequency of shipment, type of loading dock equipment, type of load and weight of the load to determine the type of preventative maintenance the customer can benefit from. All our loading dock maintenance plans include the following routine services:  

• Cleaning: Removal of debris from equipment and surrounding area to improve efficiency and lifetime of the equipment  
• Inspection: Checking for unforeseen issues that may arise in the immediate or near future that can result in an unscheduled down time 
• Lubricate/grease: to prevent and protect the moving components from excessive wear  
• Adjustment: making sure equipment runs smoothly and consistently 
• Service Documentation: service results on the preventative maintenance performed on the loading dock equipment. Outlined details on the servicing, current condition and recommendations  

Contact Willtec today to learn more about our product offerings and book an appointment with one of our loading dock service technicians.