Selection guide and product finder for loading ramps and rails

As already mentioned at the beginning, threshold plates, loading ramps etc. in their various forms are used in a wide variety of professional and private situations. In general, one can distinguish between…

Important: loading ramps also play an important role in terms of accessibility when it comes to making public and private areas easily accessible for wheelchair users and people with disabilities.

Rail or ramp, that's the question! And it cannot be answered in a general way, since there are numerous possible uses for both versions and in many cases both solutions are potentially suitable. That's why it's ultimately the details that matter:

When deciding which models to include in our product range and which not to include, we always take care to select products that are suitable for the greatest possible number of our customers and are therefore real “all-rounders”.

Filter our range of ramps and rails according to popular criteria such as width, length, material, dead weight, load capacity and the height difference to be overcome and, of course, price. We will lead you to the right product. You can also use the “property”, “equipment” and “surface” filters to select ramps with specific additional features.

Good news: you don't actually have to pay much attention to it after all. There is only one mistake you should definitely not make, and that is to take the net weight as a basis instead of the gross weight. In concrete terms, this means that you should include not only the weight of the equipment or machine for loading, but also, for example, the weight of people using the ramp, of the fuel, etc. at the same time.

With rails, you should always check whether the specified maximum load bearing capacity refers to a single rail or to a pair. And the third and last tip we'll give you: Better too much than too little. This is not the worst stance for reasons of safety either, since overloading is one of the most common causes of accidents when using wheelchair ramps, load rails, etc.

This question brings few surprises, because, of course, the width of a loading ramp should depend on the vehicle for which the ramp is intended. For load rails, this accordingly makes the tyre width of the vehicle relevant. When there are doors at the end of the ramp, always pay attention to the distance between the door posts, the depth of the door frame and, if applicable, the depth of the niche.

In general: Also be generous when it comes to the ramp width and, in case of doubt, it's better to choose a larger model. You are even obliged to do so to a certain extent, because in Germany the regulations specified by the employers' liability insurance association, among others, require certain dimensions that must be factored in as “buffers”. A distinction is made between manually operated and power operated transport equipment:

Please be aware that these rules are subject to change at any time. Therefore, always make sure you have a good overview of the current legal situation – or simply contact us and ask for advice. We are happy to help you at any time!

Of course, not all accidents that occur when using loading ramps, wheelchair ramps, loading rails etc. can be prevented. But most of them can! All too often the reason is improper use due to overloading, inadequate securing, etc. of the ramps. Specifically, the following points are the most frequent causes of accidents:

And how can these potential accidents be avoided? Well, in terms of the first point – exceeding the payload – only mathematics and caution can help. The other two dangers can easily be prevented by safety features such as raised safety edges, safety bolts, side profiles and anti-slip coatings.

If you've scrolled this far, then you've done everything right, because you've probably reached the most important chapter on the topic of ramps. Because no matter whether a curb ramp or maintenance ramp, loading bridge or bridge plate, there is no other topic about which so much and, at times, so much contradictory information can be found as about the right length and gradient. Here are the most important facts for you:

Ramp length and ramp gradient are immediately related.

The shorter the ramp, the steeper the gradient and the greater the inclination. And the longer the ramp, the more gentle the gradient and the lower the inclination.

The decisive factor is the loading height.

The loading height is the vertical difference in height between the ground and the point at which the ramp is supported. Or in short: it needs to be bridged!

Different uses? Different gradients!

For some applications, the maximum gradient rates are specified by law, for other uses, however, they are only recommendations and reference values. General criteria that determine the correct gradient are, for example, use in public or private areas, the load bearing capacity of the ramp or rail, the available space, etc.

If in doubt, a gentler gradient.

You should also treat the recommended maximum values for ramp gradients as such, and never exceed them. On the contrary, try to keep them as low as possible. The gentler the gradient of the ramp, the less effort is needed to overcome it.

It's very simple:
(Loading height in cm ÷ gradient) × 100 = length in cm

And here is an example of a loading height of 1.2 m and a gradient of 20%:
(120 cm ÷ 20) × 100 = 600 cm
---> In this case the ramp would have to be at least six meters long.

It is important to take into account not only the full length of the ramp, but also the area in front of and behind the ramp. Also factor in enough space here to ensure safe manoeuvring.

Regardless of whether personal transport or goods transport: According to the employers' liability insurance associations, the maximum gradient for loading ramps and rails must not exceed 30% (equivalent to a ratio of approx. 1:3.33); this corresponds to an angle of approx. 17 degrees. It should be noted that for gradients between 12.5% and 30%, special requirements apply with regard to slip resistance.

For wheelchair ramps or ramps intended for people with disabilities, detailed requirements in relation to gradient apply. As a reference, it should not be greater than 6%, whereby other gradients are permissible depending on the general conditions (electric drive or similar).

When wheelchair ramps are used, a distinction must always be made between public and private areas, as different rules and guidelines apply in public areas, particularly with regard to gradients.

To start with, here is a summary of the basic points for barrier-free access using access ramps in the public sector, rental housing, etc.:

In addition, here are some recommendations for using wheelchair ramps in private areas, especially with regard to gradients:

Since a maximum gradient of 6% usually requires a very long ramp length, a wheelchair ramp can also be made steeper for private use under certain circumstances. The following reference values for the ramp gradient are, however, only recommendations and empirical values without a legal basis:

The power and dexterity of the wheelchair user or person pushing it, as well as the type of wheelchair, must therefore always be taken into account when selecting the correct gradient.

It is also important to reduce any potential risk of the wheelchair user tipping over to a minimum. This depends on the centre of gravity; factors affecting this are, for example, the physique of the wheelchair user and the way in which the ramp is used (e.g. downwards on the rear wheels). That's why the following applies here too: If in doubt, it is better to opt for a longer ramp. This not only increases the comfort for all users, but also safety.

With protective edge or a grip, or without, collapsible or foldable, mobile or stationary, height-adjustable or not… you have already become familiar with many factors that play a role when buying a ramp. One aspect that we now want to describe in more detail is the surface. In this case, you have the choice between a closed or open version, whereby the open version is particularly suitable for outdoor use as it allows dirt and water to be removed or to drain off. You can usually choose between the following specific options for the surface:

What a question! Contact us, of course! At the end of the day, each and every application for which loading ramps and rails are used needs to be examined on a case-by-case basis to ensure a product that is as ideal for the individual requirements and conditions as possible can be found. So don't hesitate for a moment: give us a call by dialling 01442 238000, or write an email to sales@kaiserkraft.co.uk, or use the contact form to get in touch with us!