Ground to Dock Lift

[Eloquent]

Hi there everyone,

I am new to this forum, so I thank you all in advance for taking the time and consideration to help me out.

I am currently looking at expanding my dealership into a warehouse space, it is perfect other than one big issue- there is no way for me to get my vehicles into the warehouse.

There is only a dock (48” high) and all I have is about 25ft to work with in length before the property line ends and will be on the street.

I initially thought I could get away with getting a ramp made, however, we specialize in race cars with low ground clearance (3” or so) , so what I am being told is that I need about 35ft in length for the cars can drive up without causing any damage.

I am considering the option of possibly a 10ft fold out extension, however, if that is not possible due to weight or other factors, I am wondering if it would be possible to get a lift that can go from ground to dock level. I have about 105” in width to work with, obviously wider the better and it would have to be a complete flat surface, not just tire ramps.

Do you guys know anyone with a setup like this that I can compare to, is there a 4 post lift or a dock lift that is suitable for outdoors, can withstand the Arizona heat and be used to drive on and off at lifted height?

I am stuck and am open to any suggestions you guys may have! I would of course like to keep it as budget friendly as possible.

Thank you again!

 

[txvwnut]

A four post will do what you want but I have not seen one rated for outdoor use. Stertil-Koni makes a galvanized drive on lift for heavy trucks and busses that is rated for outdoor and wash bays if you want to drop $150k for a solution.

The one thing with the four post option, or the Stertil-Koni, is you'll need an extension of some sort to bridge the gap between the lift rails and the dock. If you go with a four post you could always put a cover structure over it to keep the wind driven elements and some of the UV rays off of it.

 

[mike93lx]

I bet the most cost effective solution will be a 4 post that has a very high quality coating, plus having covers fabricated to keep as much protected from the weather as possible.

Otherwise, my first thought was a lift that is used on the rear of a stacking vehicle transport trailer

 

[dscheidt]

Do you guys know anyone with a setup like this that I can compare to, is there a 4 post lift or a dock lift that is suitable for outdoors, can withstand the Arizona heat and be used to drive on and off at lifted height?

Dock lifts are a thing. Pretty common for places like stores that get a lot of stuff, but don't have space for a proper dock. One building I used to work in had one inside the dock. It could drop to outisde grade level, so you could take the forklift outside.

 

[LXCam]

You’d be fine with a four poster, the structure and if it’s powder coated it’ll live. But I suggest spraying a UV rated clear over it before you install. I’d also highly suggest you add some ~6” high side rails to it and the transition ramps you’ll need to build so no one accidentally drops a tire off the side.

The one thing that will absolutely need to be fabricated is a shield for the hydraulic tank and motor. Those tanks are almost always plastic and the motor not rated for wet locations. So covering them and allowing for convection airflow to mitigate the heat gain is a must.

 

[nadogail]

It has been a lot of years, maybe 50 or more, but i have seen Four Post Lifts in exterior locations. As LXCam said, you will have to make some provision to keep the electrical components and plastic parts protected from the weather and UV.

 

[captaindiode]

I think a scissor lift might work. Something like this, that is made for a dock: (This just an example I found)



Lift

 

[strength_and_power]

Is this dock door behind a locked fence? I’d be concerned about somebody walking off with the pump in the middle of the night. You will probably need to fabricate a hinged ramp of some sort to span the gap between the lift and the dock. Moving a vehicle in or out just became a 2 person job unless you can make/buy a remote for the lift functions.

 

[captaindiode]

I believe the one above has the folding ramp built in.