Key Differences Between Steel and Aluminum Yard Ramps

Shipping and receiving is the heart of your business, and that’s why it is so important to find a reliable way to making loading and unloading easier and more efficient for your employees. You need a yard ramp that will compliment your business style and allow you to handle increased traffic if your loading docks fill up unexpectedly. Yard ramps are particularly handy for those businesses that experience quick turnaround with stock, or need to restock warehouses immediately. There are so many different choices you can make with yard ramps, and one of the most basic decisions is between steel yard ramps and aluminum yard ramps.

While there are obvious differences between steel and aluminum, the costs of yard ramps remains relatively similar between the two. What you need to decide, therefore, is whether your needs are better suited to steel yard ramps or aluminum yard ramps. Not every business needs steel, and some may be best suited to rely on aluminum yard ramps. You need to find business solutions that work for your needs and your employees.

A yard ramp is expensive, and that is why it is so important that you choose one that will be best for your company’s needs. Most business owners will tell you that the expense is worth it for steel yard ramps or aluminum, because yard ramps will be in use for years at your business with proper care and management. Because the costs of aluminum ramps and steel ramps are so similar, it is more important to focus on other differences between the two.

Steel yard ramps, being made of the stronger material, have a larger capacity for weight. Obviously, aluminum yard ramps are lighter and less dense, which means that they have a lower capacity but are also easier to move around because of their weight. The difference between weight capacity can be as much as 9,000 pounds, depending on the brand and manufacturer. That difference means a lot if you are moving industrial equipment. The other major difference between steel yard ramps and aluminum yard ramps is their wear and tear. Steel will last much longer than aluminum, so if you plan to use your yard ramps for many years, it may be a better choice.

There are many considerations you have to make when investing in a new or used yard ramp, so think carefully and consult with a professional.