The Short Answer
An edge-of-dock leveler bolts directly to the dock face and needs no pit — ideal for retrofits and space-constrained docks, with capacity up to 30,000 lb (13.6 t). A pit leveler sits recessed in a pit flush with the dock and offers higher capacity (12–16 t / 25–35k lb) and larger platform sizes for high-volume docks.
How They Differ
The main trade-off is installation cost versus capacity and operator comfort.
| Factor | Edge-of-Dock | Pit-Mounted |
|---|---|---|
| Pit required | No — bolt-on | Yes — recessed pit |
| Capacity | 20,000–30,000 lb | 12–16 t (25–35k lb) |
| Installation | Fast retrofit | Concrete work required |
| Best for | Low-to-medium traffic, limited space | High-volume docks |
How to Choose
Choose edge-of-dock if you are retrofitting an existing building, have no pit, or handle moderate traffic with pallet jacks and lighter forklifts. Choose a pit leveler for new construction or high-volume docks where operator comfort and higher capacity matter. REDA offers both — the RDS-BL edge-of-dock series and the RDS-HE (hydraulic) / RDS-ME (mechanical) pit series.