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.

Aaron Supreme explains all about the shipping container buildings. Contact Aaron Supreme to learn about our products.

Buildings converted from shipping containers have been growing in popularity in the last decade or so, but their uses go beyond the simple tiny home, swimming pool or storage unit. There are many container-based buildings out there today that look cool but also provide an essential structure for purposes ranging from community centers to military training outposts.

Here’s a look at some interesting uses of shipping container buildings.

Sports Stadiums

You can use the versatility and mobility of shipping containers to host sporting events and festivals. Shipping containers are conducive to sports stadiums thanks to their modular construction, so much so that you could pair dozens or even hundreds of them together within a short span of time. This is a desirable option when compared with the time and cost of traditional construction.

Construction Site Workspaces

Imagine crafting a two-story observation workspace to overlook your construction, rock quarry, development or other area. In such a workspace, you can include a breakroom for drivers transporting loads, an office for real estate agents to go over pertinent home information with potential buyers, as well as the HVAC, plumbing and electricity needed to do it year round.

The top-level 20-foot container could comprise the office space with private bathroom, with the ability to watch over the construction site from an eagle-eye vantage point. The bottom level could combine two 20-foot containers into one big space that includes a bathroom, kitchenette, break room area, and locker room. The best part about shipping containers is that they can be stacked into position in just a few hours. Thanks to the durability and portability of these units, the structure can last for many years without fail.

Training Facilities

Military training villages can be constructed out of shipping containers in a quick and effective manner. The site can be used to train soldiers in the military, complete with walls, doors and windows that simulate the homes or businesses that troops would be seeing on deployment. Such a village is easy to reconfigure and modify to cater to multiple scenarios. These structures are also much more durable than a standard stick-built structure and can stand up to the rigors of military training on the daily.

Community Spaces

Community members and officials who want to breathe new life into deteriorating neighborhoods can create a community center that includes resources for everyone who lives in the vicinity, including a police substation.

For instance, three 40-foot shipping containers can be paired to provide private office space, kitchen area and bathroom, with the ability to be relocated easily if need be with quick disassembly. Such a structure could become a source of pride within the community, bringing neighbors together with local leaders to discuss important issues surrounding the area. It can also include a space for community events to further solidify the neighborhood.

Contact Aaron Supreme

If any of these out-of-the box ideas sound good to you, we can set you up with the basic containers and raw materials you need to make it happen. To learn more about pricing, contact us at 800-243-0403.

If you’re looking to invest in a shipping container in MA, you may have other uses for it instead of just storage or shipping. Fortunately, there are interior or exterior modifications you can make to the unit to enhance its operation according to your unique needs. From shelving and ventilation to paint and plumbing, check out these popular modifications you can make to your MA shipping container.

Interior Paint

Standard shipping containers are not painted on the inside. There are many reasons why you would paint the interior of your container, such as when you want to convert yours to an office, food stand, locker room, restroom, etc. Whenever the inside appearance of the unit is at stake, such as when viewed by guests, customers, and employees, painting is a wise idea.

Flooring

Typical storage containers are available with marine-grade moisture-resistant flooring, but many people choose to upgrading the flooring. You would do this if you are using your container as a conference room, training room, mobile office, or any other professional environment. Vinyl that mimics wood plank is a nice idea. Mobile restrooms, though, will need a more durable flooring type, such as slip-resistant, easy to clean polyvinyl flooring. And if you’re using it as a portable gym, rubber or soft mat flooring are good choices.

Plumbing

Do you plan to open a restaurant or cafe out of your storage container? Or will you be using it as a workplace kitchen? You’ll need plumbing for toilets, fridges, sinks and more.

Lighting

You’ll likely need to add more lighting when repurposing your MA shipping container. Consider adding general and task lighting, such as overhead lights, recessed lights and pendant lights. LED lighting is even great to outline your personnel doors. And if security is on your mind, addmotion sensors that activate when motion has been detected.

Rooftop Decks

All that space above the container can be put to good use. Try adding a rooftop deck if you work on a construction site and need to survey your workers and the overall layout.

Locks

If your container will be used to store valuable items, such as equipment for your business or important documents, you should add locking mechanisms that offer more security beyond standard locks. From cargo door locks to lock boxes to security swing arms, the possibilities are endless.

Miscellaneous

There’s really no limit to the modifications you can make on your shipping container. Some more popular options include:

• Windows
• Roll-up doors
• Personnel doors
• Vents and fans
• Sky lights
• Heat and AC units
• Cargo doors
• Custom cutouts
• Security bars
• Framing and insulation
• Solar panels
• Electrical
• Partitions
• Shelving

Advantages of Shipping Container Modifications

There are lots of advantages associated with making modifications to your MA shipping container. When you add custom features, your container becomes:

• Customizable
• Safe and durable
• Affordable
• Eco-friendly
• Weather- and rodent-resistant
• Comfortable
• Convenient
• Personalized

Contact Aaron Supreme

To learn more about the modifications we can help with or to get a free quote on your next unit, contact us at 800-243-0403.