Getting the Most Out Of Your Aluminum Yard Ramps
Aluminum yard ramps can be used in many different environments from the home to commercial staging yards. The latest designs feature high traction and portable features that make them an ideal solution for transportation problems. Loading and unloading with a ramp can increase production efficiently, reduce the risk of lifting and moving injuries, and help you maintain a more organized yard. Whether you are looking for a folding light ramp to move a mower, or need a solid ramp that can off load landscaping equipment – there are appropriate designs for each task available.
What are they good for?
Ramps are designed to make loading and unloading safer and easier. They can be used alone, or in tandem, depending on what you need to move. Ramps aren't just for moving wheeled machines; they can provide an access point for foot traffic that can radically reduce strain and injury too. In some instances, ramps can also perform access and egress functions to make sure your yard project is kept up to safety regulations too. Ramps can be designed as multi-piece units that connect, folding units and single ramp structures. They come in multiple widths and with a variety of tread designs. Before you buy any type of yard ramp, you need to sit and define the need you have for them. This will help you to determine the size and style of the ramp you need, and whether or not you need one ramp, or a pair of yard ramps.
What do you need in a ramp?
The biggest mistake people make when they purchase yard ramps is they buy the one that fits the need they have on hand. For example, if you have just purchased a rider mower you buy a ramp that fits the mower and allows you to get it in use, and to store it effectively. What you aren't seeing is that once you begin to have a need for a ramp, you are going to need it for more than just using it for one piece of equipment. A ramp should fit your major pieces of equipment, and the ones you anticipate. This doesn't mean you should buy the biggest ramps you can find, but they should all be able to assist in doing more than one specific task. A multi-use ramp that fits the work at hand is the best choice.
Best practices for using aluminum yard ramps
Using ramps requires certain procedures to make them safe. You always want to make sure that the base of the ramp is on solid ground. If the ground is not solid, you should place the base on a board with a stake driven along the outer edge to keep the board in place. The top part of the ramp needs to sit flush on the off loading surface. Make sure that any hinges parts of the ramp are in an open and locked position. Always test the ramp by pushing down on it a few times to check for movement or buckling.
Tips for storage and transportation of ramps
The best way to store and transport your aluminum yard ramps is by using latching straps. Just carrying them can cause injury. Place two straps on the closed ramp and lift the ramp with both hands. You also want to make sure the ramp is cleaned after use to preserve the integrity of the metal.