Why Lots-a-Ramps uses 6061-T6 Aluminum Yard Ramps

We use 6061-T6 aluminum yard ramps because it provides a very stable, very mobile working material for our one of a kind yard ramps. Aluminum ramps are lightweight and easy to move and still have a heavy-duty standard capacity of up to 25,000 lbs. Even in wet or or ther challenging conditions, you can be sure to have confience in our traction due to our serrated shark tooth grating. Our 6061-T6 aluminum ramps will last for years – maintenance free – so you can keep working safely. Additionally, they are 100 percent recyclable, non-toxic, green and easy to clean and does not rust.

What is 6061-T6 Aluminum And How Is It Made?

6061-T6 aluminum starts out as a clay-like soil called Bauxite. Aluminum oxide is extracted, refined, heated and filtered into a white powder. High heat hardening lowers the plasticity or flexibility and increases the yield strength, creating 6061-T6 aluminum.

6061-T6 aluminum is very hard and extremely versatile. No other metallic element can be used in so many ways. Being used in aircraft, electrical fittings, pistons, and bike frames to name a few. Lots A Ramps employs 6061-T6 aluminum in all their ramps.

What Is 6061-T6 Aluminum Made Of?

6061-T6 has a density of 2.70 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³) and is incredibly pure, with aluminum making up 95.85%–98.56% total. To increase hardness and durability, this material includes other elements such as:

• Iron
• Copper
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Zinc
• Titanium

Special requirements For Welding 6061-T6 Aluminum

6061-T6 is welded using the technique of tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) or metal inert gas welding (MIG) by our highly skilled and trained welders at Lots A Ramps by Lots-a-ramps. But aluminum forms a thin coat of aluminum oxide that melts at higher temperatures, so before welding, it is important to remove the oxide with accurate heating at 350°F (176°C). 6061-T6 is much easier to weld at this specific high temperature and without this preheating 6061-T6 can develop weak or shallow bonds.

All our 6061-T6 aluminum yard ramps, van ramps, twin lock, and stage ramp ramps are prepped with acetone, rinsed in clean water, dried, and scrubbed with stainless steel brushes before the welding proccess begins – it’s hard work, but it’s the right way to do it and it makes our ramps among the best in the industry.

Imported Aluminum Yard Ramps Won’t Handle The Load

Competitive imported ramps may be lower priced but they won’t get the job done efficiently or safely like ours will. All Lots A Ramps by  aluminum yard ramps, van ramps, twin lock, and stage ramps typically use 6061-T6 aluminum and our ultimate yard ramps use a solid support side rail structure. This side structure supports the entire capacity of the load being carried. With competitively priced imports they have welded tube supports that if bent cannot handle the original sized load.

All Lots A Ramps aluminum yard ramps have 8-foot level offs for easy access onto trucks, loading docks, and use a 15-inch lip that overlaps the ramp frames and rest solidly on the truck carrier bodies, dock floors, or platforms. The lip “floats” with the height of the trailer – if the trailer rises or falls, then our 6061-T6 yard ramps can rise or fall accordingly.

Many imported yard ramp hinges and level offs are heavy and not well integrated into the design

Fiberglass ramps may seem attractive from a price perspective but in the long run, the gripping surface will deteriorate and lose value over time.

Don’t settle for “lower-priced” competitive imports that cannot handle the load you need them to. When you settle for less, you end up paying more in the long run.

Call Lots A Ramps at 800-321-4968 to learn more about our full lineup of ramps and other loading dock equipment. Let them show you where your investment is best spent.