opinion ALEM l Ramp it up
Continuing the series of articles from The Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM), Alan Lethbridge, sales manager of Chase Equipment, explains what to look for in the design, construction and hiring of mobile yard ramps.
F
or cargo handling tasks, what you have isn't always what you need. Then again, even the most efficient operation can't possibly own and offer every conceivable piece of hardware and remain competitive. Take mobile yard ramps, for example. What seems a simple item is actually available in such a variety of sizes and specifications that it's highly unlikely that any one concern could even store all the different units, let alone keep them ready for use.
Rental option
There is, however, an option used by many cargo-handling firms. In common with various types of loading bay equipment, mobile yard ramps can be hired on a short or long-term basis
"Well-designed mobile yard ramps will be capable of transferring, throughout their structure, the substantial dynamic loads they must accommodate."
from ALEM member companies. Starting with the basics, we can consider what you should look for. Steel construction is a worthwhile primary requirement, especially if the steel is protected with top quality paint that boasts rust inhibiting additives. However, sturdiness and good looks aren't everything. By definition, mobile yard ramps must be moveable and outstanding design and manufacturing standards are essential for ease of use. Well-designed mobile yard ramps
26 ShD March 2012
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will be capable of transferring, throughout their structure, the substantial dynamic loads they must accommodate. Their ability to do this with loads up to, say, 12,000kg, transferring this weight to twin axles should be a given. The same goes for longevity – they have to cope with such loads day in, day out throughout a tough working life.
Ease of use is another important factor. Mobile yard ramps may be moved using fork lift trucks, some of which have a special pushing attachment for this purpose. The presence of a tough run-on plate is desirable; after all, having positioned the ramp, a forklift will have to use it. It's also desirable for mobile yard ramps to be finely balanced, making them easy to handle and manoeuvre. There is, in addition, the matter of setting the ramp to the required height; therefore the inclusion of a hydraulic hand pump ensures quick and easy raising and lowering. In many instances, mobile yard ramps can be used as stand-ins for busy fixed loading bay equipment. You may also need a short-term solution to a specific cargo handling problem. Here's where the option of hiring mobile yard ramps comes to the fore. In such a scenario, you can take advantage of the range of sizes and types of mobile yard ramps that are available for hire from ALEM members. Investing in a specific size or configuration of platform only makes sense where it will be in regular use for a number of tasks.
Often, hiring mobile yard ramps means that, as well as having the use of equipment that's perfect for the job, you might have any necessary servicing included at no charge; a point worth checking with the hire company. Hiring mobile yard ramps makes a lot of sense in terms of both practicality and economy. That said, it's well worth considering any hidden costs when negotiating hire arrangements.
Hidden costs?
The first that springs to mind is servicing. Mobile yard ramps may not appear to be too complicated but they do have moving parts and there is also the matter of fatigue servicing. Are these included in the hire charge? The same might apply to
transportation. To cope with big, heavy loads, mobile yard ramps must themselves be big and heavy. For example, a 12 tonne ramp can be 11.7 metres long, 2.6 metres wide and weigh nearly 4,200kg. You may have the very vehicle to collect and return a ramp like this but, if you haven’t, you’ll need to accept that one isn't going to fit on your car's roof rack. Are delivery and collection charges included and, if they aren't, what are the costs? When hiring, as in many other contexts, knowledge is power and ALEM members can be relied upon to share not only their practical knowledge but also their experience and technical expertise to enable you to strike the most enticing deal for you, your company and its clients. ●
www.alem.org.uk
opinion
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