Railboard Designed With Unique Safety Requirements

Railboard designed for forklifts with unique safety requirements; Copperloy provides yet again. When ALCOA approached Copperloy with their railboard unique specifications and requirements, Copperloy accepted their challenge. Taking pride in the quality, durability, versatility, and craftsmanship of their products, but especially in their ability to design custom products, meeting unique needs, circumstances and specifications of clients. Most industries depend upon railboards employing continual loading /unloading of supplies, equipment, and products from railcars.  

ALCOA previously not being able to locate appropriately sized equipment for their requirement needs. The current railboard they employ being 100″ wide, However, the opening of their railcars was 148″. The safety concern being this left a 4-foot gap in width. Nothing securely stopping its forklift from accidentally or mistakenly drifting farther forward, and potentially falling into the gap between the platform and the railcar itself. Basically, an accident in the making. 

In-House Engineering And Custom Fabrication Team

Copperloy’s in-house engineering and custom fabrication team delivered once again. Designing “Wings” to the car end of the railboard and doubled the overall width from 100″ to an astonishing 202″. The wing extensions being the barrier providing the safety of once it came into contact with the side of the rail car, the wing extensions on either side, would prevent the forklift from traveling any further and creating any dangerous situations. 

Another issue the team faced was the importance to ensure the proper smooth operation of the railboard itself. The wings accomplished this by allowing the lip of the 100″ board itself to project 9″ safely into the railcar.

Copperloy’s new moto most definitely should be “Problem solved and mission accomplished”.  You can count on them to meet any unique needs, solve complicated problems, increase your productivity, overall capabilities, all the while keeping you safe and sound. 

 

Functions and Features Of A Railboard

Railboards designed purpose is to connect your dock with a railcar. Lots A Ramps employs a unique design which features a rugged under-brace securing your loading requirements for safe and positive positioning. Each individual railboard is specifically engineered and designed meeting the dimensions and specifications for its dock site. Several design applications are available including rectangular, flared, refrigerator car, car to car and plug door cars. Additionally, a non-slip high strength plate decking ensures additional safety while using our railboards.

RAILBOARD FEATURES: 

• Standard capacities up to 40,000 lbs. (larger capacities also available)
• Rugged all welded steel construction.
• Heavy understructure for safety and durability.
• Drop through lift loops or lift chains standard.
• Available in rectangular or flared.
• Heavy understructure spans the gap and locks ramp into place with 8″ automatic ring adjustments (14″ max adjustment).

LIFT LOOPS FEATURES:

• Come standard on all rail boards.
• Spaced on 24″ centers.
• Located 24″ from approach end of railboard to accommodate different fork sizes.

LIFT CHAINS (OPTIONAL) FEATURES:

• Available in 1 or 2 piece.
• Center hooks disconnect during use.
• Secured to the curb.
• Available on all rail boards

Copperloy’s ability to create custom material handling equipment is one of the many differentiating factors between them and their competition. With more than 60 years of experience, and with everything proudly designed and made in the USA, Copperloy is the leader for material handling and loading dock equipment with good reason.

Feel free to call our team directly at 800-321-4968 to find out more about how Copperloy can solve your difficult loading dock and material handling challenges.