Why Install a Dock Leveler Seal Kit?
Posted by Charlene Pepiot on 15th Dec 2023
Why Install a Dock Leveler Seal Kit? |
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| Loading Docks are a central part of any facility that handles shipping and receiving, with some being used almost every hour of the day! Such frequent use can wear down and damage your loading dock, but Action Industries’ Dock Leveler kits are here to protect your equipment and save you time and money! A broken loading dock renders your product unable to ship out to appease customers and can cause severe delays. Dock Leveler Seal Kits protect your loading docks with seals that prevent dirt, pests, drafts, and air infiltration from entering your facility. They also stop debris from falling into the dock leveler pit. | |
| Action’s kits are a great investment and help maintain your loading docks by protecting against metal-on-metal contact that can wear down parts. Their protection against the outside elements can even help with energy savings! |
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| Action Industries has a variety of different materials for a loading dock leveler seal kit, from Brush Seals to EPDM, to Xcluder , to vinyl l. We generally recommend installing a Brush Seal on a loading dock leveler. Check out their advantages on our Brush Seal blog here! | |
Dock Leveler Kits make Installation Easy! |
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| Purchasing a seal, the proper retainer and the channel need to fit that retainer to hold it in place can be a daunting and time-consuming process. Action Industries makes it easy to save you time with our dock leveler seal kits. Each kit contains two 8-ft. pieces of galvanized channel, Action’s standard 1-inch 90-degree aluminum retainer, and a Weather Seal of choice to get the job done. Installers love having everything in a single box to load onto their truck and drive directly on-site with little hassle. |
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| The heavy-duty galvanized channel included in the kit is designed to work with our standard 1-inch aluminum Weather Seal retainers. That means you can simply slide them into place and have them welded firmly to the dock leveler. Our seals are also made with our retainers in mind, which means Action’s seals can be easily slid through the channel after the retainer and channel are welded into place. | |
| Our 1/2-inch brush Weather Seal kit is best for dock levelers with gaps of 1/2-inch in width or smaller. That way, the brushes' flexible bristles will bend and compress against the pit walls to create a tight seal of protection. The seal’s bristles are made from durable polypropylene filaments that won’t hold water or freeze in sub-zero temperatures. This advantage makes them great for facilities that endure extreme cold. The bristles are also tightly wound around a metal rod to prevent them from being pulled out during use. | |
What Types of Seals do Action Industries Dock Leveler Kits Include? |
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| Action has a variety of seals with their own distinct benefits to choose from for your installation kit. These special features make sure your dock leveler is customized to protect against specific threats unique to your facility. | |
| Our Zebra Brush Seals have yellow and black stripes to create extra visibility that can protect against accidental damage via tow motors. This helps to keep your team safe around a loading dock and is a great advantage for busy docks in high-traffic areas. | |
| For those in food facilities where contamination by pests and weather is especially unwanted, our rodent block door leveler seal kits contain seals filled with Xcluder fill fabric made with stainless steel mesh and durable poly fibers. Both provide an eco-friendly solution to loading dock pest control to prevent any unwanted visitors. | |
| Our Vinyl Sealsare made from a durable compound that makes it excellent at holding its shape, even in extreme temperatures. It is a durable, long-lasting, and versatile Weather Seal. Upon its installation, the vinyl seal presses against the pit walls of closed dock levelers to keep out pests and debris. They are also the more economical choice when looking for a seal. | |
| Action’s EPDM Rubber Weather Seal is 1-1/8-inches in thickness and made from EPDM rubber. This rubber is made from durable, high-quality materials that need to be replaced less often than most. Our EPDM rubber is specially designed to stand up to environments with extreme temperature changes (from -50° to 350°). They are great versatile seals for use in virtually any commercial installation. | |
Ordering Kits |
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| To order Action’s Dock Leveler kits, contact our sales team here. Their 35+ years of experience will ensure you choose the best style for the job. To quicken the process, have the following information ready when you reach out: the number of dock leveler doors, their sizes, the size of the pit gap, and if you prefer Vinyl, Rubber, or Brush Seal. | |
Can I Install a Dock Leveler Myself? |
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| Due to the welding and equipment required, it’s best to hire a professional to install your kit. When replacing the seal is due, continue to observe dock safety and hire a professional. While the installer is present, it is a good idea to ask them to inspect the loading dock to ensure your equipment is in top working condition. Taking precautions now can help you spot minor issues and fix them before your business suffers from broken equipment central to your facility. | |
| Professional Installation Instructions | |
| See how to install our kits and all they entail in the video and transcript below. | |
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What is the Life Expectancy of Dock Leveler Retainers and Brushes? |
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| The application and how often it is used plays a large role in how long the kit will last. While the retainers and channel will be good for many years, with time the Weather Seal will wear down and ought to be replaced every 2-3 years. In addition to having a professional inspect your dock leveler, be sure to check your seals at least once a year to check for any gaps or wear to ensure you can replace them and maintain maximum protection. | |
| Action Industries has every part for every door. If you’re looking into installing a dock leveler kit, why not browse our other dock accessories? We carry top operators like Genie and LiftMaster for garage doors and facility entry points alike, along with so much more! |