What is an air-powered dock leveler?
An air-powered dock leveler, as its name implies, is powered by an airbag or other pneumatic device that raises and lowers the leveler’s deck. Air-powered dock levelers require an electrical power source (one that can accommodate up to 110v power, which is the standard requirement for an air-powered dock leveler).
Air-powered loading dock levelers have similar benefits to hydraulic dock levelers. They are controlled by command buttons on a remote and demand less human intervention than their mechanical counterparts.
There are no rollers or legs with an air-powered dock leveler, just the airbag that powers the leveler’s deck to raise or lower onto a truck bed or trailer. The cylindrical air towers that air-powered dock levelers use are also extremely water-resistant and offer a long lifespan.
Air-powered dock leveler troubleshooting
Some common air-powered dock leveler troubleshooting problems include the following:
- The platform doesn’t rise and the motor does not start/run.
- The motor simply hums but doesn’t run, and the platform still doesn’t rise.
- The platform still doesn’t rise, and the motor starts, but does not run.
- Platform rises much slower than usual.
- The platform rises, but not to its full height.
- The platform does rise to its full height, but the lip does not extend properly.
- The lip does not extend at all.
- The lip extends when the raise command button is pressed, and the deck raises after the lip has already extended.
- The lip extends, but doesn’t remain so once the leveler drops back down.
The majority of these problems can be solved in the air-powered dock leveler’s instruction manual, but be sure to consult a professional should any issues remain unresolved.
Air-powered dock leveler maintenance
Much like their vertical counterparts, air-powered dock leveler maintenance must happen both periodically and regularly.
For weekly maintenance, an air-powered dock leveler requires the following tasks:
- Operating the dock leveler through its full cycle to sustain proper lubrication.
- Inspection of platform hinges and lip hinges (keep these parts free of dirt or grime; built-up debris can damage operations).
- Inspection of platform area (such as around/underneath the airbag; built-up debris can cause damage to the airbag and disrupt normal functions).
For quarterly maintenance, air-powered dock levelers require:
- Lubrication of lip hinge areas (with grease fittings) using lightweight machine oil.
- Lubrication of platform hinge areas (with grease fittings) using lightweight machine oil.
- Lubrication of lip prop pivots, lip link pivots, and safety leg linkage pivots using lightweight machine oil.
If an air-powered dock leveler’s hinge areas do not have grease fittings, be sure to use white lithium grease instead of lightweight machine oil.