How do you calculate dock leveler capacity?

Simple answer: Take the combined weight of your forklift and load, multiplied by 2.55

• Example: 12,000lb forklift + 3,500lb load x 2.55 = 39,525. Round up to 40,000.

• There are many factors that influence leveler capacity.

  • Gross weight of vehicle and load

  • Number of trailers serviced per day

  • 3-wheel or 4-wheel forklifts

  • Height differential between dock and trailer

  • Slope %of dock approach

• Be extremely careful of dock leveler companies who calculate capacity with letters

  • Example: Capacity G, Capacity H, Capacity J, et cetera

  • These capacities labels are meant to disguise the true ANSI rating