Using Aluminum Walk Boards for Loading & Unloading
The importance of aluminum walk boards in loading and unloading is something you can peak a lot on
Walk boards provide a safer and more convenient way to load and unload items on vehicles manually as well as provides support for the use of trolley and cart in diverse industrial settings.
The size of the walk board may vary according to requirements. However, they mainly come in sizes that easily fits the popular truck chassis. Walk boards are very useful in the vehicle body construction industries.
Some of the common applications of the walk board include:
- The fruit transportation industry
- Catering industries
- Property movers industry
- Cleaning services
- Repair industries etc.
Walk Board Design Considerations
The design of walk boards over the years consists of different materials like metal, wood, and aluminum. While each of these materials has its own set of pros and cons, there are certain factors you need to consider when designing a walk board. Some of the basic factors include the amount of weight to be moved on the walk board, the general working conditions, and the frequency of use.
If you are going to make use of the walk board all year round, including during the rains, it is important to go for a more durable material that can withstand different weather conditions.
Consider the Material
The material for your walk board is very important. The ideal material should be one that can withstand pressure as well as weather conditions such as rain and sun without the fear of corrosion. While metal and wood may look and feel solid, they do not handle the rains and the sun very well. Continuous contact with rain can cause the metal to corrode and get damaged. On the other hand, wood tends to expand and weaken with frequent exposure to rain.
Since metal corrodes and wood is not ideal for all weather conditions, Aluminium walk boards have continued to grow in popularity as the preferred choice of walk boards. Aluminum may not be as tough as metal, notwithstanding, it is very durable and does not corrode. You can use it in any kind of weather without painting or spending the extra money to coat it with paint or powder.
Consider the Surface Design
The ideal walk board surface should not be slippery to avoid accidents during work. It should also be smooth enough to allow free movement. Therefore, a walk board with a threaded surface is best to increase friction even when working under harsh conditions such as rain.
In general, the surface design should consist of a foot ramp and an easy way to keep the ramp in place while working. The foot ramp should be designed in such a way to avoid tripping as a result of the edge of the ramp.
Many welding companies either use a steel pin connection or a hook to keep the ramp firmly in place behind the truck to avoid the ramp slipping off accidentally.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of the walk board can be seen today across different industries, making them very versatile and handy. The use of a walk board cuts down on the amount of effort applied to upload and unload a trailer making the work easier and faster.