LAKER Hydraulic Dock Leveler: 5 Questions That Decide Fixed vs Mobile for Your Dock
2026/10/28
Most dock leveler buying mistakes happen before the quotation is requested. Fixed or mobile, 6 t or 10 t, pit-mounted or surface-mounted — the answer depends on five facts about your building and your trailers, not on the price list. Work through them in order and the LAKER hydraulic dock leveler specification writes itself.
Fixed or Mobile Dock Leveler: The Short Answer
If you have a permanent bay with a concrete pit, choose a fixed LAKER DCQ hydraulic dock leveler: 6 t to 10 t, 2000 or 2500 mm platform, up 700 mm and down 300 mm of travel. If you have no pit, load at multiple doors, or need capacity for a few weeks a year, choose a LAKER mobile loading ramp (DCQY series): no civil work, 1.0 m to 1.8 m adjustable height, and capacity up to 20 t.
Five Questions That Decide Your Dock Leveler Selection
- How heavy is the heaviest loaded fork lift? Rate the leveler on the gross load crossing the deck, not the trailer's nominal weight. Fixed units step 6 t, 8 t and 10 t; mobile ramps extend to 15 t and 20 t for ports, steel and heavy plant.
- What bed heights does your fleet run? Fixed units travel up 700 mm and down 300 mm — enough for most regional trailers. Mobile ramps with legs adjust 1.2 m to 1.7 m; the legless version covers 1.0 m to 1.8 m. Check low-deck and container chassis before ordering.
- Will the deck see rain, salt or abrasive dust? Both ranges use high-strength diamond steel plate or anti-skid steel grating. The lip plate comes with a milling groove or a plain diamond pattern, so grip is a specification choice, not an upgrade.
- What power does the site actually have? Every unit runs a 0.75 kW power unit. State voltage and phase at the order stage — export sites rarely match the default — and specify a manual hydraulic pump where power is unreliable.
- Is there a pit, or only flat concrete? Fixed models need one: 2000 / 2040 / 600 mm for the 2 m platform, 2500 / 2040 / 600 mm for the 2.5 m platform. Mobile ramps need no civil work, which is why they suit spill-over lanes and outside storage yards.
LAKER Fixed vs Mobile: Specification Comparison
| Decision | LAKER DCQ (Fixed) | LAKER DCQY (Mobile) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Permanent bays with a pit | Yards, wharves and seasonal overflow |
| Capacity | 6 t / 8 t / 10 t | 6 t / 8 t / 10 t / 15 t / 20 t |
| Platform size | 2000 × 2000 mm or 2500 × 2000 mm | 2200 mm to 4000 mm (length) |
| Lip plate | 400 mm | 1000 mm |
| Travel | +700 mm / −300 mm | 1200–1700 mm (with legs); 1000–1800 mm (without legs) |
| Power | 0.75 kW hydraulic unit | 0.75 kW hydraulic unit, manual pump option |
| Civil work | Pit required | None — towable frame |
Four Options That Change the Quote
| Option | Choice | When to take it |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinder | Single or double | Double for heavy loads and high-cycle doors |
| Pump station | Domestic or imported | Imported where hydraulic reliability is critical |
| Lip plate | Milling groove or diamond steel | Groove for wet, loaded approaches |
| Mounting | Sleeve type or hinge type | Hinge where the lip needs frequent inspection |
Settle these before the order. Adding a double cylinder or an imported pump station later costs more than specifying it now, and it changes lead time as much as price.
LAKER Hydraulic Dock Leveler Models in the Range
| Model | Type | Capacity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCQ6-0.55 / DCQ6-0.7 | Fixed, pit mounted | 6 000 kg | 2000 or 2500 × 2000 mm |
| DCQ8-0.55 / DCQ8-0.7 | Fixed, pit mounted | 8 000 kg | 2000 or 2500 × 2000 mm |
| DCQ10-0.55 / DCQ10-0.7 | Fixed, pit mounted | 10 000 kg | 2000 or 2500 × 2000 mm |
| DCQY6-0.8 / 8-0.8 / 10-0.8 | Mobile, without legs | 6 000–10 000 kg | 10 500–11 200 mm overall |
| DCQY6-0.5 / 8-0.5 / 10-0.5 | Mobile, with legs | 6 000–10 000 kg | 10 500–11 200 mm overall |
| DCQY15-0.5 / DCQY20-0.5 | Mobile, with legs | 15 000–20 000 kg | 13 300 mm overall, 2300 mm net width |
Next Step: Match a LAKER Leveler to Your Dock
Send four figures — dock count, heaviest loaded fork lift, trailer bed heights and local power supply — plus pit dimensions if you are going fixed. We will confirm the LAKER model, platform size and pit size against them, and quote the configuration that fits your timeline.
