Aaron Supreme explains how to choose the right container ramp for your shipping container. Contact us today to learn about our containers.
f you have a shipping container and plan to store machinery, equipment, vehicles or other heavy-duty goods in there, you will need a safe and efficient way to unload them. That’s where a container ramp comes in. But how do you know which one to choose?
First off, you’ll need a container ramp that is able to support the weight of your equipment while efficiently moving it out of the container and into a warehouse or other area. To make the most informed decision on which type of ramp to invest in, check out these guidelines.
Know Which Equipment You Need to Load and Unload
First you have to determine how goods are usually unloaded at your facility, whether with a dolly, hand cart, pallet jack or a forklift. All of these tools have different weights, applications and wheel sizes. If you use hand carts, you can choose a light-duty ramp that doesn’t need to span the container’s full width.
If you use pallet jacks, you’ll need a medium to heavy duty ramp with higher weight capacities. It will also have to span 35 inches (at least) in order to accommodate the forks. If you use forklifts for heavier shipments, you’ll need a ramp with a heavy-duty weight capacity and grit traction surface. When you consider that forklifts weigh 9,000 pounds on average, you’ll need a ramp able to support 20,000 pounds or more, when you add in the load weight.
Measure the Floor Height
Most shipping containers have a ground to floor height of between six and eight inches so your ramp should accommodate the correct height.
Review Connection Point Options
Container ramps need to fit snugly with the edge of your shipping container. Not all ramps will achieve this in the same way. Some feature cut-outs that will fit over and around your locks. Others have a lip that can clear the locks completely. And still others will sit right on the container’s edge without going near the locks at all yet have chains you can lock into position to prevent slippage.
Consider Portability
If you think you’ll be moving your ramps with just manpower, choose one that can handle the load yet is light enough to easily transport. If you use forklifts for heavy lifting, choose a ramp with fork-holds for easier portability.
Decide on Traction Surface
The traction surface you choose will depend on your equipment and your climate. Fine surface coatings are better for dry climates, while grit coatings are better in areas of high precipitation. Diamond plate has great anti-skid properties no matter what the climate, and punch plate surfaces provide greater traction for forklifts in icy and snowy conditions.
Contact Aaron Supreme
Need more guidance on the type of container ramp you need? Just give us a call at 800.243.0403. We would be happy to talk with you about our shipping containers, ramps and other accessories.
