Balancing Cost Control and Quality in Loading Dock Equipment Selection
How did we ever get anything done without loading docks? Before we had a direct line from truck to building, dock workers had to trudge back and forth to lug their goods inside. Now that docks are the standard, your business likely invests in dock equipment to optimize the process of loading and unloading. As sellers and installers of dock equipment, we know from firsthand experience just how pricey it can be. As such, balancing the cost of gear while prioritizing quality can seem like an impossible needle to thread. But it’s not! Barron Equipment has consolidated the key factors you should be considering when optimizing your loading dock with new equipment.

Aim for Cost-Effective, Not Cheap
For starters, let’s make something crystal clear: compromising on quality is never worth it. While low-cost dock equipment can be a head-turner, always be wary of it at first glance. It’s possible the reason that price is so alluring might be due to what it lacks compared to the competition. For example, a cheaper truck restraint might have a weaker composition or lack rust resistance, making it more likely that you’ll need to replace it sooner than anticipated. It might even break mid-use and cause damage to your business or injuries to your employees. Keeping an eye out for any suspicious listings when shopping is of utmost importance if you want to avoid these situations. Look to local and regional professionals that work with reputable manufacturers. Like Barron Equipment, they should be willing and prepared to do a site visit to help you determine the best product for your application.
"Customers are generally looking for the right equipment at the right price," says Mitch Konkol, District Sales Manager at Poweramp. "This can look different depending on the market the customer is in and their experience with dock equipment. A high use, high volume, heavy weight application will need equipment that can stand up to the heavy daily usage with little downtime. Other customers have light usage but low volume that still want a good product without breaking the bank. The real difference maker for different sectors is how they incorporate safety into the dock space. As safety becomes more and more important around the loading dock, it can lead many customers to a higher initial investment in quality equipment to incorporate safety items such as barrier lips, vehicle restraints, interlocking, and restraint bypass monitoring."
Look at the Bigger Picture
Of course, the solution to this challenge isn’t to blindly splurge on expensive gear, it’s to take a more holistic approach to cost control. Instead of glancing at a product’s upfront cost, consider factors like energy consumption, maintenance support, and how long it’s expected to last. Take note of any quality guarantees and warranties on offer, too. All these features vastly increase the value of the equipment you’re looking at and make the purchase more justifiable.
One example of quality consideration is when Barron Equipment recently worked with an established customer to fully replace all dock levelers on a ten dock system. They were adamant about replacing all otherwise functional loading dock equipment with newer equipment at the same time, but within a smaller budget. Less expensive but generally less reliable levelers were installed in order to meet their budgetary needs. Within two years of initial installation, their levelers began failing. The customer then came to us to reassess why the levelers were failing, and decided to budget for two new, high-end Poweramp PR Series Levelers from Barron Equipment per year. It took five years following the beginning of the leveler failures to fully replace with PR Series levelers. Since then, the customer has not had significant problems or failures of their dock levelers. More durable and well-engineered product choices will allow them to circumvent additional expenses in servicing and replacing equipment, saving them much more money in the long run.

In addition to choosing higher quality equipment, it's also important to consider buying in bulk to save on costs. For instance, why buy a single weather seal to secure your doors from the elements when you could buy multiple for when they wear out? Many businesses offer a bulk discount when this is done, so take advantage of that. Leveraging these offers can mean the difference between breaking the bank and sparing your savings.
You can accomplish all of this by finding a reputable installer manned with product experts to help you determine the best loading dock equipment for your situation. Distributors with experienced service and installation teams like Barron Equipment have the know-how to assess your docking needs and provide you with options, as well as maintain the functionality of your investment moving forward. Barron Equipment offers a scheduled maintenance program on loading dock doors and equipment to assist you in keeping your docks in working order. Maintenance is scheduled at your convenience and includes:
- Visual door inspection
- Check for weather seal gapping
- Balance/adjust dock doors
- Track, roller, hinge, cable and operator inspections
- Bearing, chain and sprocket lubrication
- Spring bumper check
- Crack, rust and deterioration inspection on dock boards, plates and bumpers
- Lip and header hinge tube cleaning and functionality check
- Rear hinge and hinge pin inspections
- Oil, grease and adjustments to unit
- Hydraulic fluid level checks
- Sub gram and shim packs inspection
- Inspection of cylinder pins and mounting holes for cracks, deterioration, and missing components
- Inspect toe guards for free movement when applicable
- Bumper wear and tear, with replacement recommendations where necessary
- Hold down assembly and lip holder inspection
- Pit cleaning underneath dock leveler area and remove all FOD
Barron's scheduled maintenance also includes comprehensive reporting of which equipment was fixed and what needs further repairs, allowing you to manage and maintain that data for your internal use. We will also proactively provide recommendation for future equipment replacement, ultimately saving you company time and money in the long run.
The Hallmarks of Quality Dock Equipment
When you’re scouring for deals, there are plenty of other factors that indicate quality. Certifications never hurt! Find out whether the dock plate you’re looking at is OSHA compliant or check to see if it was tested in accordance with ANSI’s standards. If it's certified, it might be worth the money. It might also be wise to pay attention to the materials used in these products, as they tend to be indicative of their build quality and durability. Metals like aluminum and stainless steel are known for their strength, while the use of an “all-welded” design adds further resistance to wear-and-tear.
Speaking of materials, seeking out equipment that can resist corrosion is something else to consider, especially if your business uses hazardous or corrosive chemicals. Such designs are also handy if your work environment is exposed to inclement weather often, as they’ll stand strong against rain and hail damage. Also, the sturdier the equipment, the more it’ll hold up to frequent use in the long-term, making it much more worth the investment compared to cheaper alternatives.
Finding a trusted vendor with an impressive track record will only help you in the long run, too. Not only will such a seller offer you trustworthy products in the short term, but they can also be relied on for years to come whenever you need repairs or new equipment. Combined, all these bullet points will come in handy when seeking out the best dock equipment on the market.
Striking the Right Balance
This all means very little to most businesses if the price isn’t right. When searching for dock equipment, try focusing on essential features, such as load capacity or certain safety measures. Don’t downplay the power that customization has to keep costs down! In some cases, dock equipment can be customized in ways that don’t result in a price hike, like adjusting its size or swapping a component type. Take some time to consider the long-term value a product will have and ensure it won’t need to be replaced anytime soon. Take iDock controls, for instance. While investing in them may sound like an unnecessary expenditure, think about how much they could save you in the long run. With their ability to keep you updated on the conditions through fault troubleshooting and control integration of your dock, they could get you to address issues before they worsen and make you spend thousands on fixing it.
Conclusion
For as long as there are loading docks, loading dock equipment will be there to make them more efficient. If you’re on the hunt for some new tools, you shouldn’t have to blow your budget just to keep up with your cargo. When perusing the web for dock equipment, remember that you shouldn’t be settling for a drop in quality. Also, focus on the greater needs of your business before buying. Reminding yourself of factors like energy consumption and maintenance support should make investing in new gear feel more sensible. Lastly, striking a balance between essential features and extra add-ons can help keep the price tag in check while ensuring you don’t get stuck with low-quality equipment.
Staying up to date on loading dock equipment doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. With the help of these tips, you should be able to ride the line between quality and frugality without a hitch. Now get out there and give your loading docks the equipment they deserve!
