Hydraulic Undercarriage, Adjustable legs, or legs with casters, which is right for me?

To answer this question effectivly first we'll need to cover the uses and limitations of each style.

Yard Ramps With Hydraulic Undercarriage:

Yard Ramps with hydraulic undercarriages have the greatest degree of mobility and range of use reaching heights of 60"+, while also dropping down to low as 35" from the ground. The 18" solid rubber tires make towing the ramp across long distances safe and efficient. The draw backs presented by this style is the necessity to ensure the pumps pressure is released whenever storing or using the ramp to preserve the life of the pump.

Use: By design all Yard Ramp models are not intended to be impacted by a trailer, rather the Yard Ramps hydraulic pump will need to be actuated via a removable handle to a height where the lip clears the floor height of the trailer or dock. The ramp will then need to be moved towards the trailer until the stop plates come into contact with trailer or dock. Once the ramps stop plates have come into contact, the ramps pump will need to have the pressure released prior to loading. 

• Solid 18" Rubber Tires
• Raised Lip Height: 69"
• Lowered Lip Height: 35"
• Requires pumping by hand to raise the ramp
• 90 day warranty on pump

Yard Ramps With Adjustable Legs and Casters:

Designed to compete with the traditional hydraulic undercarriage, adjustable legs with caster wheels come at a lower price point while also removing the limited life span associated with hydraulic pumps. The only limitation here is the ramps service range is reduced considerably due to the range adjustable legs can adjust.

Use: Like models with Hydraulic Undercarriages the caster model yard ramp will need to be raised and pushed up against the the trailer or dock until there is contact with the ramps stop plates. Once in position the legs will need to be retracted until they are far enough off the ground they wont come into contact when loading and unloading. Note: Yard Ramp legs are not designed to support the weight of a forklift, always ensure the ramps legs are raised prior to use or damage to the ramp will occur.

• Wheel Diameter: 8"
• Raised Lip Height: 59"
• Lowered Lip Height: 42"

Yard Ramps With Legs:

Designed for stationary use, Yard Ramps with adjustable legs are the immobile variation of the caster model yard ramp. Same as the two models above this ramp shouldn't be impacted by trailers, nor should it be operated on when the lip isn't resting on the trailer with the legs raised. In use, this ramp will require effective communication between a spotter and trailer tractor operator to ensure the ramp is not hit when placing the lip. 

• Time consuming and Difficult to place
• limited operating range
• Lowered Lip Height: 36"

Conclusion

Choosing which of these ramp models will best suit your operation inevitably comes down to what your specific needs are. That said, for most loading operations where your service range requirement falls within 42" - 59", the caster leg model yard ramp stands out as the greatest value over cost. With this model you'll avoid down time due to a faulty pump while also reducing much of the repair replacement costs you'll be dealing with in the future as the pumps seals eventually wear out.

Selecting a Yard Ramp suitable to your needs is a rather straight forward process, but there are still plenty of options you may not be famliar with. To help you get acquainted our ramp experts have put together answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

1. What capacity does a Yard Ramp Require?
2. How wide does the ramp need to be?
3. What's the difference between the 36' Yard Ramp and the 30' Yard Ramp?
4. Hydraulic Undercarriage, Adjustable legs, or legs with casters, which is right for me?
5. Do you offer shorter ramp lengths?
6. Whats the widest ramp you can make?

What Capacity Does a Yard Ramp Need?

The general rule of thumb for Yard Ramp capacity is to multiply a four wheeled Towmotor or forklifts capacity by three or multiply by four if the equipment has three wheels. This simple calculation ensures your Yard Ramp has the capacity to handle the live load weight, while also providing longevity. 

Example: A 5,000 lb capacity towmotor or forklift would require
   4 Wheels: 15,000 lbs. Capacity Ramp
   3 Wheels: 20,000 lbs. Capacity Ramp

Note: If used in excess of 8 hours a day always move up to the next weight capacity

Click Image to enlarge

How wide does a Yard Ramp need to be?

To improve economy and reduce the need to reposition the Yard Ramp when unloading pallets closest to the door, we recommend a minimum Yard Ramp width finishing at 12" to 18" wider than the overall width of the towmotor, forklift, or pallet used. For improved end loading efficiency, you may consider increasing your Yard Ramp width, as shown in the diagram Below.

Click Image to enlarge

What's the difference between the 36' Yard Ramp and the 30' Yard Ramp?

For operations looking to load trailers without a loading dock the 36' yard ramp is the ideal choice for both economy and safety. This is due to the 6' level off allowing forklifts to enter and exit at a more even grade with the trailer. Should the forklift enter the trailer while still on the incline, such as when a 30' ramp is used, larger loads will require more manipulation of the forks to enter safely.

Click Image to enlarge

Do you offer shorter ramp lengths?

Yes, Yard Ramps are available in any length you require. Our standard 30' and 36' foot yard ramps are ideal for the typical loading height of 48", but this may not be your situation. For stationary applciations with lower heights a shorter ramp often proves to be cheaper. The lead time for custom ramps ranges from 7-10 days depending on the complexity.

Whats the widest ramp you can make?

Just like the length yard ramps are available in custom widths as well. Our widest standard yard ramp would be the 120" wide model, however we have made them wider in the past by making the yard ramp in two pieces, bisected, so they may be welded together in the field by a certified welder.

Thank You For Reading.

We strive to ensure you are receiving the best service and price for your ramp, it's this reason we work with you to determine what size best suits your unique application. Should you have any questions about anything in this post or if you need a quote you can reach us at 1800-741-1258. We have a team of committed dock specialists ready to answer your questions and walk you through the process.