Copperloy Yard Ramps | Safer, Easier, and Faster than the Competition

What is a Yard Ramp? | How Do Yard Ramps Work? | Features | Videos | FAQs | Rent a Yard Ramp

Does Your Loading Dock Need an Upgrade?

Daily and weekly shipments are a regular part of many businesses in several industries. Most of your supplies, materials, and equipment will be delivered by a semi or box truck, and your business needs to be ready for shipments of nearly any volume. Being able to accommodate freight deliveries is a crucial part of your supply chain, but many facilities do not have the available space to construct a full loading dock let alone the funds to move to a new building.

Whether you do not have a loading dock or your current dock is at capacity, a yard ramp is a perfect solution for maintaining your supply chain. These ramps can serve as a permanent or temporary addition to your current equipment that will help you get more jobs done more quickly. Achieving maximum levels of productivity is easy with a Copperloy ramp, so give us a call and speed up your deliveries today!

America’s Ultimate Yard Ramps

Copperloy yard ramps are engineered to maximize space, productivity, and safety with durable construction and several special features. Made in the USA, our one-cylinder ramp design is more stable and uses less pressure to lift the ramp compared to traditional yard ramps with two-cylinder hydraulic systems.

Our enhanced design features deliver:

• Easier operation – The pump location on the outside of the yard ramp frame allows for more convenient access.
• Faster raise times – Vertically position the ramp up to two and a half times faster than the average ramp.
• Less wear and tear – Rotation occurs on the redesigned positioning sleeve instead of the ramp connection, reducing wear on the ramp structure.
• Greater stability – The centrally located cylinder keeps the ramp stable while raising and lowering which means less chance of tipping.
• Solid-filled pneumatic tires – Better handling on rugged terrain while eliminating issues like punctures or air pressure problems.

Copperloy has a wide selection of yard ramp sizes and capacities to fit your requirements. With new, used, and rental purchase options available anywhere in the US, Copperloy can deliver the ideal ramp to fit your budget.  For more details on the available sizes of our yard ramps, specifications, and weight capacities, contact the Copperloy team or view the chart below.  The Copperloy team can assist you in finding the perfect model for your facility and application.

Yard Ramp Specs

What is a Yard Ramp?

A yard ramp is a ramp that bridges the gap between your warehouse and trucks, creating a level surface for transporting materials. They are also known as portable loading docks because they allow for the unloading of trucks at nearly any location. Yard ramps are often used in combination with existing loading docks that expand their capacity without having to relocate to a larger warehouse.

The central advantage of a yard ramp is productivity. This equipment allows you to set up freight loading operations pretty much anywhere, so you can use more of your facility space to get more jobs done in less time. With extremely high weight capacities, yard ramps make heavy-duty freight handling much easier and safer, allowing forklifts to safely access shipping containers and truck trailers and perform tasks more efficiently. This not only protects any goods in transport but everyone working in your warehouse.

How Do Yard Ramps Work?

Copperloy yard ramps offer a quick and efficient way to a full functioning freight handling center within minutes. These ramps use one-cylinder hydraulic systems to raise and lower to whatever height you need at speeds 2.5x faster than standard industry ramps. This single-acting system also allows the ramp to raise much more evenly than double-acting ramps, so your ramp is always level when you are ready to get to work.

Getting your ramp into position just takes a few easy steps. Start by closing the pump release valve, slide the pump handle into the pump opening, and crank until it reaches the desired height. Use a forklift to move the ramp until the lip is completely over the trailer bed and open the release valve to allow the ramp to safely settle onto the carrier floor. Now, you just need to secure the ramp to the truck with the two included safety chains, and you are ready to get to work!

For a more comprehensive understanding of Copperloy yard ramp operation, check out our collection of specs, manuals, and brochures.

Features

8-FOOT LEVEL OFF

The Copperloy mobile yard ramp has an 8-foot level off feature. This is necessary for forklifts to have easy access onto trucks, loading docks, and platforms. It allows the fork truck to safely enter the trailer at a level approach and without having to stop. This feature makes for a very stable yard ramp and is especially useful on mobile ramps.

15-INCH LIP

The 15-inch lip is designed to firmly rest on the truck carrier body, dock floor or platform. Our mobile ramps come equipped with eight-foot-long safety chains. Chains join the ramp to keep it from pulling away.

HYDRAULIC PUMP

The single-acting hydraulic hand pump design requires half the effort needed to raise ramp compared to other mobile ramps. The pump is relocated so that it is protected away from dirt, debris, damage and makes maintenance easier to perform. The handle is stored out of the way when not in use.

SMOOTH SIDE PLATES

Smooth side plates and safety curbs are standard. They are constructed of high strength steel and enclose all working components, while also protecting them from possible damage from other equipment.

LOW END PLATE

We designed an end plate that is shorter than the wheelbase of most forklift trucks. This way, front-drive wheels can reach high-traction grating, while rear wheels are still on the ground. The plate comes standard with beveling from the underside. This helps to provide an easy and smooth ground-level entry. It also eliminates jolts and bumps as the forklifts travel on and off the yard ramp, with or without a load.

DECK GRATING ON OUR YARD RAMPS

High-strength steel is standard on all Copperloy yard ramps. Grating bars are constructed for durability in the roughest of applications. The 1-3/4 inch bar depth allows snow, rain, and other debris to fall through. The serrated grating helps to ensure an all-weather, high-traction running surface.

SAFETY CURBS

7-inch high curbs are standard on all Copperloy ramps to help prevent accidental runoff with a patented box frame.

18-INCH SOLID/PNEUMATIC TIRES

The solid/pneumatic tires are standard on all Copperloy mobile yard ramps and are ideal for all applications. The tires do not require air to fill, are maintenance-free, and have lubricated-for-life bearings.

THE POSITIONING SLEEVE

The position sleeve allows the yard ramp to maneuver 180 degrees which reduces loading/unloading time and increases productivity. The fork slides into the positioning sleeve and the ramp can easily be positioned into place. The positioning sleeve is included with all steel mobile yard ramps. The sleeve is not intended for long-distance towing.

TOWBAR

A towbar is an option on both steel and aluminum mobile yard ramps which attaches to the lower end of the loading ramp. It allows the ramp to be towed a short distance (within your facility). The max towing speed is 5-mph and is not intended for over-the-road towing.

Types of Yard Ramps

Create a Portable Dock Anywhere with Mobile Yard Ramps

Companies can create a dock anywhere with a mobile yard ramp by easily converting open yard space into a portable loading dock.  Yard ramps provide a safe, efficient method to load/unload freight with forklifts and access the back of the truck.  A yard ramp is a cost-effective way to expand freight handling capacity beyond the physical loading docks in a facility. 

Portable Yard Ramps

The yard ramp acts as a portable loading dock ramp and an ideal solution for shipments that need to go from ground level to the truck and a fast method to unload a truck to the ground.  Copperloy offers both aluminum ramps and steel ramps depending on your weight and application requirements.  Rentals are available and ideal for short-term projects.

Portable Steel Yard Ramps

Copperloy portable steel yard ramps are available in different base materials.  However, steel is the standard base for yard ramps.  As a leader in custom steel fabrication, Copperloy has mastered the craft of high-strength steel specifications and integrated features such a serrated steel grating for added traction.  Manufactured in the USA, steel ramps are built for durability and made to last.

Dock-to-Ground Yard Ramps

Our dock-to-ground yard ramps provide a stationary, semi-permanent solution and are typically fixed to the dock for fast, efficient loading/unloading solution handling weights up to 30,000 lbs.  Copperloy dock-to-ground ramps can be custom built to the specifications of your dock for a safe, versatile way to expand the capability of your loading dock.

Ground-to-Truck Yard Ramps

Ground-to-truck ramps allow for easy ground-level access to semi-trucks. Copperloy yard ramps allow for maximum safety and productivity when unloading and loading.  Designed for industrial use, ramps are available in aluminum or steel based on your material handling requirements.

Heavy-Duty Portable Loading Docks with Dock Platforms

For facilities with limited space or no permanent dock exists, portable loading docks can provide a cost-effective solution for parallel loading when used with dock-to-ground or yard ramps. Copperloy’s portable loading platform features durable steel construction that can handle capacities up to 60,000 pounds.  Their unique design allows lift trucks to easily make right-angle turns. Multiple portable loading docks can be connected when larger portable loading docks are required.

Applications of High-Capacity Yard Ramps

Typical uses of our heavy-duty, high-capacity steel yard ramps include:

• Industrial equipment applications
• Construction equipment, machinery, and supplies
• Flatbed truck unloading/loading
• Military applications such as loading military vehicles and equipment
• Tractors, skid steers, bobcats, and other heavy equipment
• Heavy equipment rentals
• Warehouse equipment
• Car and vehicle ramps

Choosing the Right Yard Ramp for Your Loading Dock

What to choose from our selection of portable yard ramps depends on how you will be using them.  Looking for a permanent loading area or do you require a portable loading ramp? What is the maximum weight that your lift trucks will be transporting? (Don’t forget to include the weight of the lift truck.) Do you require dock-to-ground access or ground-level access to railcars and trucks?  Copperloy has been manufacturing yard ramps for over 60 years and our staff is available to consult with you on the best solution for your loading application.

Our ramps are preferred by dock crews.  Copperloy ramps are faster and easier to position than any other ramp on the market.  Copperloy yard ramps have been tested and outperformed the other manufacturers including; Bluff Manufacturing, Vestil, Discount Ramps, and Handiramp. If you’re not sure of your future needs, consider a rental yard ramp or a used yard ramp.  All Copperloy used ramps are factory certified and guaranteed.

Portable Yard Ramp Safety

Although Copperloy portable yard ramps are designed with safety features, operating a forklift on a ramp should be done with the utmost caution. Prior to using the ramp, it is important to thoroughly review the owner’s manual. Only trained personnel should operate the ramp.

It is extremely important to ensure that the ramp is properly secured before loading and unloading tasks.  View the owner’s manual for a full overview of instructions and precautions. We also recommend reviewing the OSHA ramp guidelines.