Project Summary
New building was blocking current docks so needed a reliable dock lift solution.
Title : Dock lifts replacing standard docks
Customer : Hospital
Overview
A major hospital lost its existing loading docks due to a new building expansion. With no space for pits, ramps, or truck wells, they needed a fast, surface-mounted dock alternative. Speed-Lift® was selected because it restores full dock function without construction, excavation, or downtime.
The Customer Problem
During campus expansion, the hospital’s new building footprint sat directly over their original loading docks—eliminating all truck access. They faced several operational risks:
- No place for trucks to unload medical supplies, food service, linen carts, or waste containers.
- No ability to construct new pits or ramps in the tight remaining footprint.
- Critical deliveries arriving at multiple truck heights throughout the day.
- A requirement for a safe, weather-protected unloading process for staff and drivers.
Traditional dock construction was not feasible, and losing dock service was not an option.
Limitations of Traditional Solutions
The hospital evaluated common alternatives, but none met the constraints of the site:
- Yard ramps were unsafe, steep, and required more space than available.
- Truck wells were impossible due to the new building’s placement and site utilities.
- Standard elevated docks with levelers could not be added — no wall space, no excavation allowance.
The hospital needed a true dock replacement that could fit in confined space and function immediately.
Why Speed-Lift® Was Selected
Speed-Lift® solved every constraint without construction:
- Surface-mounted installation anchored directly to concrete with no pit or bollards required.
- Fast 7–8 second cycle time kept unloading efficient for daily medical deliveries.
- Full truck-height flexibility allowed staff to service any delivery vehicle.
- Safe, stable platform for carts, pallet jacks, and fragile materials.
- Compact footprint ideal for the tight site created by the new expansion.
- End-off and side-off configurations enabled trucks to approach from multiple angles despite layout limitations.
Speed-Lift® offered the hospital a reliable, permanent dock alternative that could be installed immediately.
Configuration Selected
Two Speed-Lifts were installed:
Model: MyDock® Speed-Lift®
Capacity: 8,000 LB each
Configurations:
One End-Off MyDock®
One Side-Off Left MyDock® for constrained approach
Add-ons:
Side frame enclosure
Installation:
Simple surface-mount anchors
Connected to existing power—no construction required
This combination allowed the hospital to replace its dock flow exactly where space allowed it.
Measurable Improvements
- Restored full loading dock capability despite loss of original docks
- Enabled efficient unloading of all truck heights
- Eliminated need for pits, ramps, excavation, or costly construction
- Improved operator comfort under an added aluminum canopy
- Maintained safe handling of medical supplies and facility materials
- Achieved a seamless transition with zero operational downtime
