Dock Leveler Repair in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA
For dock leveler repair in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA, call (385) 325-7138 about a leveler that won't raise, won't hold, or whose lip won't extend. Tell us the facility and the dock number. This covers hydraulic, mechanical, air-powered, vertical-storing and edge-of-dock levelers, plus portable dock plates and dock boards.
Call to describe the problem—if the door is stuck open or the dock is down, say so first.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Facts checked September 23, 2026.
What is a dock leveler, and which kind do you have?
A dock leveler is the steel platform built into the edge of a loading dock. It bridges the gap and the height difference between the dock floor and a trailer bed, so forklifts and pallet jacks can roll across. Most have a hinged "lip" on the front that flips out and rests on the trailer.
Levelers come in a few types. How yours is raised is usually the easiest clue.
| Type | How you'd recognize it | What to mention on the call |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic | A push-button box on the wall raises it; the lip extends on its own | "Hydraulic, push-button" |
| Mechanical | Raised by pulling a chain or ring; someone walks it down | "Pull-chain leveler" |
| Air-powered | Push-button, with an air bag under the deck that inflates | "Air bag leveler" |
| Vertical-storing | Stands upright against the door when not in use | "Vertical leveler" |
| Edge-of-dock | Small unit bolted to the dock face, with no pit | "Edge-of-dock" |
An edge-of-dock leveler is the short version. It handles small height differences and sits right at the dock edge instead of in a pit. The ANSI standard for built-in dock leveling devices is MH30.1-2022 (MHI).
Common leveler problems and what to report
Report what the leveler does. Don't try to find out why. Never stand on or go under a raised leveler, and don't drive onto one that looks damaged. Keep people clear, do not force the equipment, and follow your facility's established process for taking the affected bay or opening out of use.
| What you see | What a qualified provider may inspect | Why it matters | How to report it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leveler won't come up | Hydraulic power unit, controls, air bag, springs (mechanical) | The dock can't load | "Leveler at dock __ won't raise" |
| Rises slowly or unevenly | Hydraulics, fluid, hinges | It may be close to failing | "Comes up slow and crooked" |
| Lip won't extend or won't fold back | Lip hinge, lip cylinder or linkage | The trailer can't be bridged | "Lip won't come out" |
| Deck drops when the trailer pulls out | Safety legs, velocity fuse (hydraulic) | Falling decks are a serious hazard | "Deck dropped when truck left" |
| Oil on the pit floor | Hoses, cylinders | A leak can mean more failure ahead | "Seeing oil under dock __" |
| Cracked welds or bent deck | Deck plate, beams, hinges | The structure may not carry a load | "Deck is cracked" |
| Bumpers missing below the leveler | Dock bumpers | Trailers then hit the leveler and wall | See dock bumpers |
Dock plates and dock boards: repair or replace?
Dock plates and dock boards are portable bridges laid across the gap. They're not built into the dock like a leveler. ANSI MH30.2-2022 covers portable dock leveling devices, such as dock boards and plates (MHI). A damaged plate or board shouldn't go back into service on a guess. The capacity label and the maker's instructions govern, and a qualified provider decides whether it can be repaired or must be replaced.
| Device | What it is | Usually used with | Signs to stop using it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed dock leveler | Built into the dock edge or pit | Forklifts, pallet jacks | Won't hold, cracked, drops |
| Dock board | Portable bridge; build varies by maker | Whatever its capacity label allows | Bent, cracked welds, missing locking legs |
| Dock plate | Portable bridge; build varies by maker | Whatever its capacity label allows. Some makers rate plates for hand trucks rather than forklifts | Bent, cracked, warped |
| Bridge plate | Portable plate for other gaps, such as a rail car | Whatever its capacity label allows | Bent, cracked |
What OSHA's rule for dockboards says, in plain words (29 CFR 1910.26):
- Dockboards must be able to carry the maximum load they're used for.
- Dockboards put into service on or after January 17, 2017 need run-off protection, unless there's no run-off hazard.
- Portable dockboards must be secured so they can't slide out of position.
- Wheel chocks or sand shoes keep the truck or trailer from moving while people are on the dockboard.
- Portable dockboards need handholds or another way to carry them safely.
Never weld, straighten or patch a plate or board yourself to get it back in service. Whether a repair is allowed is a question for the maker's instructions and the provider.
Fall protection on dockboards
OSHA also covers falls. Under 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(4), an employee on a dockboard exposed to a fall of 4 feet or more needs a guardrail system or handrails. There's an exception when the dockboard is used only for material handling with motorized equipment, the fall is 10 feet or less, and the employees are trained. Your safety program decides how that applies. This page doesn't.
What's covered and what isn't
Covered: dock levelers of every common type. That means decks, lips, hinges, hydraulic power units, air bags, springs, controls and safety legs. Also portable dock plates and boards for inspection and repair-or-replace decisions.
Not covered:
- cracked concrete in the dock pit, or structural slab work (a concrete contractor handles that)
- parts-only orders
- truck or trailer repairs
- boat docks
- residential work
Seals, shelters, bumpers and restraints are on the dock equipment page.
What happens when you call
- Call and describe it. Give the address, the dock number and what the leveler is doing.
- The independent provider confirms. It confirms availability for your facility and equipment, the scope, how it prices the visit, and its terms.
- You approve the work with that company. Its contract and warranty terms apply.
Example of what you might say — not a script: "The hydraulic leveler at dock 7 in our Pittston Township warehouse won't come up, and we have a trailer waiting."
If you reach voicemail, leave the facility address, the door or dock number if known, what's wrong, and a callback number.
More on how Uptime works.
Call to describe the leveler problem.
Optional: details that help
None of this is required. If it's easy to see from a safe spot:
- the type (push-button, pull-chain, air bag, edge-of-dock)
- the brand. Leveler makers include Rite-Hite, Kelley, Serco, Blue Giant, Nordock and Pentalift. This is a list of makers, not brands anyone is authorized for.
- the capacity label, if you can read it without going on the leveler
- how many docks are down
What affects the price of dock leveler repair?
We can't quote your exact leveler repair from a web page. The price depends on the leveler type, the fault, parts, and access. Here's what to ask before you authorize work.
| What moves the price | Why | Ask the provider |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | Trip or diagnostic fees vary | "What does the first visit include?" |
| Type of leveler | Hydraulic, mechanical and air units use different parts | "Do you work on this type?" |
| What failed | A hose or lip pin is a different job from a cracked deck | "Is this a part repair or structural?" |
| Parts by maker | Some parts come only from the original maker | "Are parts in stock or ordered?" |
| Lock-out and access | The dock has to be made safe before work, and a trailer may be in the way | "Do you need the bay empty?" |
| Timing | Rates may differ outside normal hours, if offered | "Is there a different rate at night?" |
Repair or replace the leveler?
Repair makes sense when one part failed on a sound deck. Replacement comes up when the deck or frame is cracked, the same failure keeps coming back, parts are no longer made, or the leveler can't handle the loads you run now. For common failure patterns by type, see dock leveler types and failures.
Rules that matter for leveler work
- Lock-out. OSHA's lockout/tagout rule covers servicing and maintenance where machines could start up unexpectedly or release stored energy and hurt someone (29 CFR 1910.147). That's why a qualified provider shuts off and secures a leveler before working on it.
- Local licenses. Pennsylvania has no statewide contractor license for most work. Scranton and Wilkes-Barre each require their own city contractor license before a company can pull a permit. Both cities license electrical contractors separately. Ask the provider and the code office whether work on leveler controls needs a licensed electrician (Scranton Ch. 203; Wilkes-Barre).
- Replacements may need a permit. Pit or structural changes are more likely to need one. The provider and the code office confirm.
Where calls come from
Facilities anywhere in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties can call. That includes the Pittston-area parks, Hanover Township, the Mid Valley and Hazleton. The independent provider confirms the address. See the full service area.
Planning regular leveler service? See maintenance.
Common questions about dock leveler repair
Why won't my hydraulic dock leveler go up?
It could be the controls, the power unit, a hose, low fluid or a stuck lip. Only an inspection tells. Report "won't raise" and the dock number. Don't hold the button down over and over.
Can a dock plate be repaired?
Sometimes, but not on a guess. The capacity label and the maker's instructions decide, and a qualified provider inspects it. A bent or cracked plate should come out of service until then.
Do you take calls about edge-of-dock levelers?
Yes. Edge-of-dock, pit-style, vertical-storing, hydraulic, mechanical and air-powered levelers are all covered.
Is it worth repairing an old leveler?
Often, if the deck and frame are sound and parts are available. When the structure is cracked or the same failure keeps coming back, replacement is worth pricing.
Can you fix the concrete dock pit?
No. Pit concrete and structural slab work are for a concrete or structural contractor.
A dock down in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre? Call.
Call with the address and which dock is down.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Back to loading dock and dock door repair in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre. For a national overview, see dock leveler repair.
Sources
All checked September 23, 2026.