Features and working of dock equipment

Dock equipment is very useful for the seamen as well as the dock and other onshore workers. One of the most important gadgets on the docks where work usually goes on round the clock are the dock lights. These lights are powerful as they need to illuminate a large area and occasionally may also have to be directed towards the sea to guide smaller boats to the dock. Most of the dock lights have a heavy duty steel construction, with a long lasting yellow enamel and a brass plated finish. High performance incandescent lamps are used and a spring loaded pushup socket enables quick and easy bulb changing. The dock light could support a 150 W PAR-38 bulb and a 300 W R40 lamp. A 7 gauge wall mount standard ensures that the light is rigidly fixed to the concerned surface. The arm length of the dock lights usually varies between around 24 and 60 inches. Occasionally, the light may have an 18 inch two speed fan as an accessory.

Some dock lights used close to the water emit green light as it is a known fact that green light offers the best illumination in the water. This light is useful during fishing near a jetty as the green light attracts both bait as well as game fish. The lights are waterproof for long lasting operability.

Aluminum dock lights are most resistant to salt water erosion. Some dock lights can be hung from overhead beams like lanterns. Pathway lights brighten the dock walkway. Since the dock lights are located in the outdoors, full metal guards protect these lights from being stolen or broken.

Another commonly used dock accessory is the pallet puller. This is a resilient but light weight tool that is used to hook and grab stringer pallets. After locking into place, this tool can exert tremendous pulling force of around 4000 to 6000 pounds. The comfortable working load is approximately 1250 pounds with a 0.25 inch proof coil chain. The pallet puller generally has a cast iron construction. A one-piece curved head incorporates intrinsic spurs that lock into stringers up to a maximum of around 4.5 inches thick. The jaw height is approximately 2.75 inches and the chain length is around 30 inches.

The pallet puller is designed to use varying techniques to perform the intended task; single scissor motion, double scissor motion, or clammed closing action. The puller may most often either have convex teeth or concave multidimensional teeth. The weight of the pallet puller varies between 14 to 32 pounds. Specially constructed pallet pullers enable quick positive one-handed operation. The pulling action can be paused and restarted without any undue stoppage of the task. The wood stringer pallets can be pulled in whichever direction they may be oriented.

What to look for in dock equipment

The dock light along with the fan accessory should be approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL). The UL is a body that governs the safety standards of most equipment which need to pass stringent tests.

Since the pallet puller is used in a dusty and greasy environment, a self cleaning head will be a major convenience for the user as it is prevents entry of oils, paint, or wood and metal chips. A safety handle ensures easy positioning of the clamping part of the tool.

Wesco is a reputed manufacturer of dock equipment.