Overview
The Lock & Load™ is a hook-style vehicle restraint that secures the trailer's rear impact guard (RIG) at the dock to reduce the risk of premature departure and trailer movement during loading and unloading. Its spring-loaded housing lowers with truck contact, positions the unit with the RIG bar, and automatically adjusts to trailer float. The Lock & Load™ has an enhanced design with a patented Triple Range Hook that outperforms competitor hook-style restraints. This vehicle restraint has an engagement range of 9 to 31 inches and mounts to the dock face above ground level to stay clear of accumulated precipitation and debris. Its elevated installation protects it from the elements, along with watertight connectors and zinc plating for added corrosion resistance.
Features and Benefits
The Lock & Load is built to handle demanding docks and diverse trailer types. The Triple Range Hook secures RIG bars that are rectangular, pentagonal, and feature 4½-inch vertical center plates. Its low-profile 9-inch carriage works with all standard trailers. Engagement range extends from 9 to 31 inches above the ground. The rotating hook is machined from 1¼-inch thick A514 Grade B steel plate and driven with a 1¼-inch diameter shaft made from cold-rolled 1008 steel. The carriage side plates are constructed from abrasion-resistant 200F steel for maximum defense against wear from contact and friction with the RIG.
What makes this system stand out is the gear motor. The gear motor, specifically engineered for this application, utilizes a one-way braking system that keeps the hook continuously engaged for added safety. The Lock & Load™ gear motor only uses electricity when engaging or disengaging the hook with the RIG — resulting in more reliable operation and ultra-low energy costs. The hook maintains engagement with the RIG even if power is lost, and the motor is IP67 compliant. The system also features a PLC-based control box with built-in maintenance diagnostics and a password-protected bypass for authorized personnel only.
Applications
The Lock & Load is the right fit when your facility receives a variety of trailer types and needs a hook-style restraint that self-positions automatically when the truck contacts the housing. It withstands a pull-away force of over 32,000 pounds and helps prevent premature departure, trailer creep, landing gear collapse, trailer pop-up, and trailer up-ending. It works especially well in these situations:
- Mixed-fleet operations receiving standard trailers, pentagonal RIG bars, and reinforced RIGs with 4½-inch center plates
- High-volume docks where ultra-low energy consumption and minimal moving parts reduce long-term operating costs
- Docks concerned about approach surface damage — the roller slope extension features a wheel that effortlessly rolls over the pavement to prevent marks and gouges on the dock approach surface
- Operations needing automatic trailer float adjustment — the restraint maintains contact with the RIG and adjusts automatically with trailer float motion to ensure proper engagement at all times
- Docks requiring fault alerts — in the event a trailer's RIG is missing or damaged, the Lock & Load™ communicates a fault condition, and an audible alarm and flashing red light alert the operator when a trailer has not been properly secured
- Facilities needing an interlock — the CB-00 control box enables interlocking with the dock leveler, overhead door, and safety gate
Selection Assistance
The Lock & Load is a dock face-mounted, hook-style restraint. It's the right fit when you need a restraint that self-positions on contact, handles a wide variety of RIG bar shapes, and runs at near-zero energy cost during loading operations. Optional configurations include an IntelliDock Combination control box, CB-20/21, open dock stanchion for the control box, articulated slope extension, projection brackets, and reinforcing plates.
NOVA provides an Extended Two Year General Warranty on the roller track assembly, carriage assembly, and control box, and an Extended Five Year Structural Warranty covering the roller track, carriage weldment, chain cover, straight hook, and lower spring bar. Barron Equipment has been installing and servicing loading dock vehicle restraints for over 43 years. Our team serves Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. Contact us to discuss your dock layout, trailer mix, and which restraint system fits your operation best.