To reduce the difference in height between the yard and the truck floor, two options are possible:
- Raise the dock floor up to the level of the truck floor
- Create a depressed driveway approach
A steep decline can create problems because when a lorry is not horizontal during loading or unloading operations, the following problems may occur:
- Loads on trollies can roll-out when the truck’s doors are opened
- Difficult to load and inload on an incline
- Internal handling equipment is under increased pressure
- Rainwater from the vehicle accumulates in the pit
- Dock bumpers under extreme pressure
- Damage to the overhead door and building
