Why Sliding Dock Bumpers Are Essential for Dock Safety and Efficiency

Designing a high-functioning dock system involves more than just levellers and doorways. One of the most critical – and often overlooked – elements is bumper height. The wrong configuration can result in serious damage to trucks, doors, and buildings. Fortunately, Ulti Group’s Sliding Dock Bumper System offers a smart, adaptable solution.

 

Solving the Bumper Height Challenge

With dock systems, finding the right bumper height is tricky. Fixed bumpers are often a compromise – they need to be high enough to stop a truck, but low enough to let doors open over them. This creates a dilemma:

• If they’re too high, truck doors can’t swing open.
• If they’re too low, taller trucks might overshoot and hit the dock or the building.

That’s why the Ulti Sliding Dock Bumper was developed. This solution allows the bumper to move:

• In the up position, it safely absorbs truck impacts.
• In the down position, it clears the way for the truck doors to open fully – even for chilled reefer containers with thick doors.

Once loading or unloading is complete, a simple foot tap lifts the bumper back into position, ready for the next truck.

 

Smart Design, Smooth Operation

One of the standout features of the system is how it moves:

• When lowered, the bumper pulls back and down, ensuring it clears the truck even if there’s some residual pressure against it.
• When raised, it moves out and up, returning to a safe stop position for the next incoming vehicle.

For added safety, a secondary set of bumpers can be installed lower on the wall to catch the rear impact guard of smaller or lower trucks. This dual bumper configuration provides comprehensive protection for a wide variety of vehicle sizes and docking scenarios.

 

FAQ’s

Q: Why is adjustable bumper height important?

A: Fixed-height bumpers can either block truck doors from opening or fail to stop taller trucks properly. A sliding bumper system provides flexibility, ensuring both protection and functionality.

Q: How does the bumper operate?

A: It’s manually moved – pushed down after the truck docks to allow door clearance, and bumped back up with a foot tap when loading is done.

Q: Who should consider this system?

A: It’s ideal for any facility using vertical dock levellers, especially where varied truck heights are common or where damage to buildings and equipment has been an issue.

 

When it comes to vertical docks, bumper height isn’t just a detail – it’s a critical component of the system’s success. The Ulti Sliding Dock Bumper System offers an adaptable, operator-friendly way to keep your loading area safe and efficient.

Want to know if this system is right for your site? Reach out to Ulti Group today for expert guidance and tailored solutions.