Yard Ramps | Portable Yard Ramp for Forklifts
Increase Your Loading Dock Capacity with a Portable Yard Ramp
Yard ramps are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment to expand your loading dock capacity without adding more truck bays. You can move freight from semi-truck to ground and ground to truck in the most efficient way. Adding a portable yard ramp can increase production by loading and unloading trucks anywhere without a dock. Get your drivers back on the road faster saving time and money.
The Copperloy steel yard ramp is engineered to operate faster with more safety features than any other yard ramps for forklifts on the market. Our competitive pricing and lead-times, make it easy to expand shipping capacity with portable forklift ramps.
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What is a Yard Ramp?
A yard ramp, aka yardramp or yard dock ramp, is essentially a fully mobile loading dock. It provides ground-level access to your loading dock and semi-truck trailers and a level surface for transporting materials. They are often called portable loading docks because they can create freight-hanlding centers in nearly any location. Yard ramps are often used in combination with existing loading docks to 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.
A yard ramp is a cost-effective way to streamline your supply chain and solve many day-to-day problems at your loading dock. Whether your current dock is at capacity or no loading dock at all, yard ramps will make freight handling easier than ever and help you get more jobs done in less time.
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, and Copperloy yard ramps can maximize your productivity. Give us a call and speed up your deliveries today!
Get a Quote on a Portable Steel Yard Ramp
Learn about the Capabilities of Copperloy Yard Ramps!
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Yard Ramp Benefits | America’s Ultimate Yard Ramp
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.
Learn about the capabilities of Copperloy Yard Ramps!
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.
How Do Yard Ramps Work?
Copperloy yard ramps offer a quick and efficient way to a full functioning freight handling center within minutes. These portable forklift 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 forklift yard 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.
Contact Copperloy today for the yard ramps and other equipment to keep your operation moving.
Yard Ramp 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 and 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.
TOW BAR
A tow bar is an option on both steel and aluminum mobile yard ramps that attaches to the lower end of the loading ramp. It allows the ramp to be towed a short distance (within your facility). A towable yard ramp can be maneuvered easily with a forklift. The max towing speed is 5-mph and is not intended for over-the-road towing.
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.
Dock crews prefer Copperloy because our yard ramps are faster and easier to position than any other ramp on the market and have been proven to outperform other manufacturers including Bluff Manufacturing, Vestil, Discount Yard 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.
Check out our selection of steel and aluminum portable yard ramps below:
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 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the difference between a yard ramp’s positioning sleeve and towbar?
The positioning sleeve comes standard on our steel mobile ramps. It is used to get the ramp into the position of the trailer. The towbar is used for towing the ramp around your facility short distances (3-5mph max speed). However, the ramp is not designed for road travel.
2. What kind of tires are on the mobile yard ramp?
The standard tires are 18″ solid/pneumatic tires. The tires do not require air to fill, are maintenance-free, and have lubricated-for-life bearings.
3. What are the height ranges of the ramps?
The standard height range of the mobile yard ramp is 38″-65″. The standard height range for the dock to ground ramp is 38″-60″. We can customize any ramp to unique height requirements.
4. How are the ramps secured?
All of our ramps ship with safety chains to secure them. Mobile yards ramps are chained to the trailers. Dock to ground ramps are bolted to the face of the dock with brackets and chains provided.
5. Are rental yard ramps available?
Yes, Copperloy has a variety of factory-certified ramps for rent and available for short-term loading dock ramp solutions. Factory-certified ramps ensure that all components are in working order and are safe for operation, ensuring your yard ramp improves efficiency and productivity. If you’re looking for yard ramps for sale right now? Check out our shipping container ramp rental, used yard ramps, and yard ramp rentals.
Benefits of Copperloy yard ramp rentals:
- Factory certified and guaranteed
- Rentals are available anywhere in the United States
- Performance of the industry-leading ramp
- Enhancing efficiency and versatility
- Ensures employee safety
- Notable productivity increase
- Easily withstanding industrial and warehouse settings
- Users can test out the ramp before fully investing
Feel free to contact a Copperloy representative for a cost analysis of new, used, or dock ramp rentals.
6. Can I use yard ramps on a slope?
We strongly recommend avoiding slopes when using yard ramps for forklifts. A forklift can travel load trucks with gradients ranging from 5%-12.5% or 2.86°-7.13°. However, heavier loads should not be handled at anything more than a 3%-5% gradient, and it is best to stick to a 10% maximum even for lighter loads. Just because you technically can operate forklifts on a 12.5% gradient does not mean it is always safe.
If you are using a metal yard ramp to load trucks, try to find ground that is as level as possible. The gradients above are simply guidelines for direct dock-to-truck loading. Adding additional slope to a ramp will quickly exceed these guidelines, preventing safe travel for forklifts on and off the truck.
Any situation where a slope looks too steep could be unsafe for forklift operators. A steep incline increases the risk for loads toppling and potentially causing serious injury. Always use your best judgment whenever you set up operations to protect employees.
7. Stationary vs Portable
Get the best yard ramp pricing and 3-day quick ship. Typical yard ramp applications are to load from the ground to a truck bed or dock level to the ground. It’s the easiest, fastest way to load/unload a truck using a forklift. Often called warehouse dock ramps, this stationary ramp allows for extra capacity and the ability to load more trucks than you have dock bays.
The dock-to-ground ramps may be used as car ramps to get vehicles your dock height or forklift ramps. For ground to truck applications, our standard yard ramps provide enhanced mobility with a tow motor. Our ramps also use one-cylinder hydraulics to quickly raise or lower to the truck height. These mobile ramps are the ideal solution for high-volume loading tasks where a row of trucks needs loading simultaneously.
Yard Ramp Manual Overview
Steel Yard Ramp (SYR) & Steel Dock to Ground Ramp (SDG) Installation
Congratulations! You have purchased a new Steel Yard Ramp for your company. Like any piece of equipment or machinery, this Steel Yard Ramp will help you tremendously, but it also needs to be operated and maintained properly to achieve maximum benefits. Here are some important tips and tricks to get the most out of your new Steel Yard Ramp while also maintaining maximum safety for your workers.
Steel Yard Ramp Dos and Don’ts
Do traverse the ramp with the forks towards the dock or the elevated end.
Do not:
- Exceed 5 mph when driving on the ramp.
- Exceed the rated capacity of the ramp.
- Travel on the ramp unless it is securely connected to the dock or the carrier floor. Make sure there is 4” of overlap onto the doc or carrier floor.
- Use the ramp without safety chains.
- Use the ramp when people, equipment, or material are in front of the ramp or the lip.
- Use the ramp if it looks damaged – tell your supervisor immediately if it looks like the ramp has sustained damage.
- Keep going if you have questions. It is much better to stop and take the time to ask your supervisor.
- Attempt to lift or lower the ramp lip in any way that is not described in our manual.
- Make sure all body parts are kept clear of the ramp at all times.
Your Responsibilities as Steel Yard Ramp Owner
Copperloy does our best to manufacture the best possible yard ramps, and we ensure their strength and safety when we are ready to deliver them. From the point the yard ramp reaches your plant, it is up to you to make sure the ramp continues to perform at capacity.
• It is up to you to make sure all of your employees are trained adequately. While our Steel Yard Ramps are amazing tools, there is danger in any dock loading/unloading situation. The more knowledgeable your employees are, the safer everyone will be.
• Make sure everything is labeled correctly and that manuals are easily accessible to all personnel.
• We create a maintenance schedule for our Steel Yard Ramps just like car manufacturers create maintenance schedules for their vehicles. The closer you follow that schedule, the more performance you will get out of the yard ramp.
• Do not try to save money or time by continuing to use a damaged Steel Yard Ramp. In the end, you will only be creating a potentially unsafe or disruptive situation. It is much better to take a pause and get your yard ramp back into working order.
• Along similar lines, do not get creative with how you use the yard ramp. Modifications are not advisable, especially if you are trying to create a work-around where a problem exists.
• Copperloy sets specific standards for the vertical lifting range and the vertical lifting range. Make sure as the owner that these standards are not exceeded.
• Talk to us about what your plans are for your Steel Yard Ramp before purchasing. In particular, let us know the applications you are planning for your yard ramp, the types of equipment that will be traveling on the yard ramp, and more. We will be able to customize a solution for you so that your workers and all loads being picked up or delivered will remain safe.
How to Unload a Flatbed Trailer
There are six easy steps involved in safely unloading a flatbed trailer. You can see more detail about the six steps along with drawings and diagrams in our full manual.
Step 1: Wait for the carrier to come to a complete stop. Once the brakes are set you can remove the hold down straps and release the ramp chains.
Step 2: Now position the lift trucks on both sides of the ramp, spreading the forks as widely as you can. The truck must have sufficient capacity to lift the ramp at a distance near the fork end. You can look at the shippers B/L to see what the actual weight of your ramp is.
Step 3: Slowly move the lift trucks forward. Be careful that not more than 9” of the fork tip is engaging with the ramp side girder.
Step 4: Take your time and lift the ramp until it has cleared all supports as well as the carrier.
Step 5: The carrier can now pull forward and get completely clear of the ramp. Once this has happened the ramp can slowly be moved to the ground.
Step 6: Verify your hydraulic system is working. Refer to our full manual for details. Be careful about this step. Some ramps have a plug in the breather location on the pump. If this plug does not get changed out, the hydraulic system can be damaged by back pressure. The pressure in the tank can even harm personnel.
How to Unload a Box Trailer
Unloading a box trailer is quite different from unloading a flatbed trailer. Do not make assumptions about the proper steps. Check our full manual for details!
Step 1: Remove all of the straps and verify the pump is in the open position.
Step 2: Now it’s time to insert the positioning sleeve into the ramp and attach the fork truck to that position sleeve. Please reference our manual for full instructions on how to do this.
Step 3: Using the fork truck, raise the ramp until it is high enough to clear the container floor. Once you have accomplished that it’s time to slowly back the ramp out until the wheels of the yard ramp are even with the back of the truck. Make sure the driver backs out in an entirely straight line while doing this. Before beginning this process, make sure the numbers are right for the fork truck to be able to lift the yard ramp safely. Missing this vital step can result in damage to the load or injury to personnel.
Step 4: Now that the ramp is backed out the wheels should be blocked in place.
Step 5: When you are sure the fork truck is attached securely to the positioning sleeve, raise the ramp until the side rails are parallel to the ground. If you have two fork trucks available go ahead and skip to step 7. If you have three fork trucks available take a look at the next step.
Step 6: While one fork truck is holding the positioning sleeve, the other two should be on each side of the ramp, centered to the ramp and under the side rails. Make adjustments until the ramp can be lifted with the weight centered on the fork trucks. Keep lifting the ramp until the wheels are clear of the truck floor, and then move ahead to step 11.
Step 7: If you only have two fork trucks, you need to pay attention to this step. First you need to block up the back side of the ramp where the fork truck and the positioning sleeve are connected. Again, you need to make sure that whatever you use to block up the ramp is strong enough to actually handle the ramp’s full weight. Before removing the fork truck verify that the blocking is secure and steady. This is for everyone’s safety as well as for the safety of the load.
Step 8: Now you can remove the fork truck from the positioning sleeve.
Step 9: With the fork truck disconnected from the positioning sleeve, you now have two fork trucks available. They can be positioned at the center of the ramp under the side rails. Keep adjusting the ramp until it is centered on the fork trucks. The ramp should be lifted until the wheels clear the truck floor.
Step 10: The blocking can now be removed.
Step 11: Now everyone is caught up to the same step regardless of how many fork trucks you have available. The truck should pull forward slowly until the ramp clears the truck. Then the ramp can be slowly lowered to the ground. Take special note of the pump reservoir. For moving purposes, this reservoir is covered with a plug, but in order to prevent leakage, this must be covered with a vent cap when in use. Be careful when you take this step and be sure to reference our full manual. Please note that if you do not take this very important step back pressure can build in the tank which can damage the ramp or cause injuries to workers.
Step 12: Verify that the hydraulic system is working properly. Please reference the OPERATION section of our full manual for instructions on how to do this safely and correctly. If you see any issues please contact us immediately. In order to fully test the hydraulic system we recommend you raise and lower the ramp a few times so that all of the air is squeezed out of the hydraulic system.
Step 13: Phew. It’s finally time to use your new Steel Yard Ramp. Make sure you inspect it one more time before beginning usage. Remember, if it is damaged, please contact us immediately. Do not use a damaged steel yard ramp.
Installing the Dock to Ground Ramp
Our full manual is an extremely important reference when installing a dock to ground ramp. Make sure you reference the manual and be sure you understand it fully before installing or operating. Please contact your supervisor or us with any questions you have. We are going to summarize the four steps you need to take to complete this process, but it is important to use the manual because the additional drawings and diagrams will assist in the job.
Step 1: Make sure the site is fully prepared before you install the ramp. This may entail pouring concrete for a footer or apron depending on your local codes and conditions. Needless to say, you want to make sure the concrete has 100% cured before installing the ramp.
Step 2: Install the Safety Chain Brackets:
Our manual illustrates how to locate the safety chain brackets. You can use the bracket to locate the mounting hole locations. You will use the ½” diameter anchor bolts (not included) to secure the safety chain brackets to the dock wall. Please note, all anchor bolt lengths need to suit local codes and conditions. This will be determined by the type and depth of the concrete. If the anchor bolts are not the correct size, the safety chain brackets can fail, which will cause disastrous results.
Step 3: Placing Ramp:
Now it’s time to place the ramp. Make sure you square up the ramp on the doc’s surface and keep the bumper plates as close to the dock face as you can. This will help prevent the ramp from moving while in operation. Please reference our full manual for illustrations of what this setup is supposed to look like.
Step 4: Attach the Safety Chains
You will see that we have supplied 9/16” bolts, washers, and nuts. These are used for attaching the ramp. The other end of the chain that is not attached to the ramp will slide through the burnout in the chain bracket that is shaped like a plus sign. While you are holding the bracket against the wall, you want to adjust the chain so it has as little slack as possible. The tighter the chain, the more likely you will be to have your ramp pull away from the face of the doc.
Operating the Mobile Ramp
Please make sure our full manual is fully accessible to everyone who will be working with your steel yard ramp. This is just a summary, but there is much more detailed information in our manual.
Step 1: Elevate
When you are ready to elevate your ramp, you first need to be sure you close the pump release valve by turning your lever clockwise. You should not need to force this valve. If you are having trouble moving it please contact a supervisor. The pump is on the side of the ramp. Use caution. Overturning can damage the valve seat. Now you take the pump handle from its storage bracket and place it into the opening on the pump. You’ll need to raise and lower this handle to get the pump started. It may take a few minutes until you are feeling the full pressure in the handle. Be very careful to remember to pick up the handle and not leave it in the pumping position. Personnel can get injured or loads can get damaged if this step is forgotten.
Step 2: Position
Move the ramp until the lip apron is completely covering the carrier floor and until the stop plates are flush against the carrier door sill. Always position the ramp to the trailer – do NOT try to back the trailers up against the ramp. Slowly open the pump release valve by turning counter clockwise. As you do this the ramp will slowly settle onto the carrier floor.
Please make sure the release valve is left in the open position as you get ready to use your Mobile Container Ramp. If you do not serious injuries or damage can occur.
Our ramps are manufactured so that the underside and the hydraulics can float freely and nothing of weight is laid upon the running gear. The ramp is like a span bridge and it is only supported at the ends. Our manual section on the positioning sleeve offers more detail on this topic.
Step 3: Secure
You will see this word a lot in any of our operation manuals. Securing a steel yard ramp or a mobile container ramp is one of the most important facets of installation and operation. To secure your mobile ramp, loop the two safety chains we supply around the carrier frame and lock them into place with grab hooks. Try to allow as little slack as possible. Please note: if the chains are missing or damaged or if you can’t for some reason connect the chains securely, do not use the ramp. If you are feeling like the ramp is not 100% secure with the chains in use, feel free to chock the carrier wheels and/or use support jacks under the trailer. As always, follow OSHA requirements in this process. Whatever you do, remember the most important thing is to make sure the ramp and the carrier do not separate during operation.
If you are going to be using the ramp at a loading dock or another fixed platform, make sure that platform has hook or eye devices that are totally secured so that they can hold the container ramp chains.
Step 4: Operation
Again, we want to reiterate how important it is to make sure the pump release vale is OPEN before operation begins. That is always step 1, even though we are talking about step 4.
Now approach the ramp in low gear and maintain an even rate of climbing speed. Please see our full manual for detailed diagrams and illustrations. Always be sure the fork truck is pointed with the forks toward the carrier end, and when ascending or descending, the truck should be in the lowest gear. Make sure the fork truck driver understands this before beginning operation.
As always, be sure to follow all lift truck safety and operation standards of ASME/ANSI B56.1-1993 and any new addenda. Once the fork truck is moving on the ramp do not stop, start, or change speeds. This can cause damage or serious injuries.
Step 5: Loading/Unloading Completion
When loading or unloading is complete, the first step is to make sure the lift trick is off and completely clear from the ramp. All safety chains can be unhooked once the truck is off, and the ramp can be disconnected from the carrier. Now close the pump release valve by turning it clockwise. Remember, you should not need to exert a lot of strength to do this. If it Is not working easily ask your supervisor for assistance. Overturning can cause damage or injury.
Slide the pump handle into the pump handle adapter and pump a few times to get the ramp a few inches above the carrier floor. Once this is done the carrier can pull away or, using the positioning sleeve, it can move the ramp to the next location. Once the ramp starts moving, or once the carrier pulls away, it is essential all personnel and objects are moved out of the way.
Please reference or full manual for more detailed information on the positioning sleeve and the towbar. Remember, this manual should be easily accessible to all personnel!
Make sure you do not let the carrier pull away with the ramp just falling to the ground. Although a steel yard ramp is a sturdy piece of equipment, this kind of activity is a great way to damage the ramp or cause injury to workers.
Step 6: Lowering the Ramp
We want to reiterate again when raising or lowering your yard ramp or mobile ramp, all personnel and objects should be well clear of the area. To lower the ramp, slowly open the release valve by turning the knob counter clockwise. Leave the valve in this open position.
When you are not using your ramp, it should be stored in the lower position so as to avoid injury the next time it is needed. When the ramp is in the lowered position, do not take shortcuts by trying to raise it with your hands. All body parts should always be clear of the space between the ground and the ramp or towbar.
Step 7: Towing (Towbar)
Copperloy makes available an optional towbar accessory. Our manual fully details how to connect this towbar to the ramp.
Step 8: Positioning Sleeve
We highly encourage you to reference the full manual so that you can see all diagrams and illustrations, which help illustrate the points here.
When positioning the ramp, never exceed 2 mph. If you try to travel at higher speeds the positioning sleeve could be damaged, which can cause many other serious problems. Whenever the ramp is supported by the positioning sleeve all hands, feet, or any other body parts should be well clear. Before starting the process of using the positioning sleeve, make sure it is not damaged in any way. A positioning sleeve will be supplied with all of our steel framer amps.
Please make sure your team understands the difference between the towbar and the positioning sleeve. The positioning sleeve is only for positioning and traveling for very short distances. The positioning sleeve should not be rotated past 90º from the center.
Believe it or not, our positioning sleeves can be used for up to several hundred yards. Talk to us before you purchase your yard ramp so we can ensure everything we provide will meet your application needs.
Maintenance
The better you do at maintaining your yard ramp, the better it will work for you, and the longer it will last. Our full manual outlines detailed instructions for how to properly maintain your Copperloy steel yard ramp. Here are some highlights.
Blocking
Most of the maintenance a ramp needs will be on the underside. For everyone’s safety, make sure the ramp is securely blocked before anyone situates to work on the ramp. For maintenance work, the support should be placed under the lip apron end. For these purposes load bearing structures like loading docks are best. Avoid using lumber or steel members. The locking chains we supply should also be used to hold the ramp secure through maintenance. As always make sure all objects are clear. Be especially cautious around the hydraulic system.
Along with securing the ramp 100%, make sure the hydraulic system is open and all the pressure has been relieved. Do this before breaking any connections or removing any hoses. Otherwise damage or injury can occur.
Maintenance Checklist
The following items should be seen to regularly.
Hydraulic Hand Pump/Reservoir
We fill up the hydraulic system and fill the vent with a plug for shipping. As has been mentioned before, it is very important to replace this plug with the vent cap before you start using the ramp.
Filling Tank
There are a few different steps involved in filling the tank. First, make sure the ramp is in the fully lowered position. Next, remove the vent cap from the pump reservoir. Our full manual offers more detail on how to complete this process. Be sure you clean away any dirt or grime so that the fluid in the reservoir has no chance to get contaminated. Contamination in the hydraulic system is one of the leading causes of malfunction in a mobile yard ramp.
Once the tank is cleaned up, use a funnel to fill the tank through that vent cap hole area. The oil should be up to a half inch to an inch from the top. You should use a hydraulic oil 46 weight or something very comparable. Make sure what you are using IS hydraulic oil. Any other kind fo oil will void your warranty. We use Citgo AW-46 when we first fill the filling tank before shipping.
Make sure you do not allow the ramp to raise at all when you are working on the hydraulic system.
Line Bleeding
It is important to make sure there is no excess air in your hydraulic system. Normally, just lowering and raising the ramp a few times is enough to work out any extra air bubbles, but if you still feel like there is too much air in the system, you will need to bleed the system of entrapped air. It sounds scary, but it’s just a few simple steps.
First, make sure the pump is at its fully lowered position. Then, loosen the hos e fitting at the cylinder. Make sure the release valve is CLOSED. Slowly operate the pump until the oil flows without any sign of air bubbles. Now remember to tighten the hose fitting and add more oil so your tank is back to the proper level of fullness.
Removing the Hydraulic Cylinder
Before removing your hydraulic cylinder, you will need to elevate the lip end of the ramp and reference our blocking instructions outlined in the full manual. First and foremost, if the ramp is not in the lowest position, use the release valve to lower it onto the support. Once the ramp is fully blocked and secure, disconnect the hose from the cylinder. You can also release the cylinder retainer pins and spacers at this time.
Now it’s time to put in your new cylinder. First, pull out the rod. If you have trouble with this step, the thing to do is to make sure the hydraulic port is open and clear. If you are still having difficulties it is time to ask your supervisor for help. Place the cylinder in position, and although it should be obvious, make sure the top is at the top. You can now put back the pins and spacers. Replace the hydraulic line but do not tighten the fitting just yet. First, with the release valve still in that open position, use the fork truck to raise the lip end of the ramp so it is clear of the support. Remove the support out of the way so you can now lower the ramp to it slowest possible position. Reference the previous section on how to bleed the hydraulic system to make sure you aren’t trapping any extra air in the system, tighten the hose fittings, and add the oil till you are at the optimum oil levels.
Removing the Hydraulic Pump
Once again, the ramp needs to be completely lowered before you start this process. Once the ramp is positioned properly, disconnect the hose from the pump. You’ll see four hex nuts at the back of the pump reservoir – remove those, and you will be removing the pump from the side of the ramp. To replace the pump just retighten the four hex nuts and make sure the pump is securely connected to the side of the ramp. Bleed the hydraulic lines and add oil as needed.
Replacing the Grating
Be very careful not to damage the crossmember during this process, because a damaged crossmember means the structural integrity of the ramp is compromised. Our full manual offers more detailed descriptions along with diagrams and illustrations.
You should not need to remove the entire piece of grating. We have manufactured the grating so smaller lengths can be replaced. Make sure you cut the grating at the center of the crossmember, and always keep both ends of the grating supported by the crossmember. Be sure to clean all areas by grinding flush and then inspect to make sure there is no damage.
If you need to install new grating, start by cutting grating to fit the area you need to replace. Don’t leave more than ¼” clearance on both ends. Place the grating over the crossmembers and make sure the spacing is right. Now weld two-inch-long welds every other crossmember six times, and make sure the welds are evenly spaced from side to side. Weld the ends as well. The welding should be done from the grating to the top of the crossmember, all the while making sure the grating is kept flat against the crossmember. Once everything is welded into place, touch up all the areas with rust proofing and you are done!
Removing the Wheels
Please reference the full manual to see detailed instructions on how to perform this task. Before reassembling the wheels, make sure any rust is cleaned away with emery cloth so that any new bearings won’t get damaged.
Whenever you are getting ready to work on the wheel or axel assembly, regardless of the specific part, the ramp should be in the lowest possible position, the release valve must be open, and the ramp should be lifted so that the wheels are slightly off the ground. Please reference our full manual for more detailed instructions and diagrams.
Steel Container Ramp Frame
The steel frame’s enamel finish should be inspected every year. If you find any rust, you need to try to wire brush it away, prime paint, and then add a top coat of paint that is also rust-inhibiting. No matter how well you take care of your steel yard ramp, it will start to rust eventually. With just a little touch-up it will remain fully functional for many years to come.
JH Industries, Inc.
Copperloy
America's Ultimate Yard Ramp & Dock Equipment
1981 East Aurora Road
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
P: 330-963-4105 | 800-321-4968
F: 330-963-4111
