The Short Answer
An edge-of-dock leveler (also called a mini or face-mounted leveler) is a compact bridge plate that bolts to the front face of the dock and needs no concrete pit. It bridges the gap between the dock and a truck bed — ideal for retrofits and space-constrained loading bays.
When to Choose an Edge-of-Dock Leveler
Choose an edge-of-dock leveler when you cannot cut a pit into the dock, when you are retrofitting an existing dock, or when truck beds sit close to dock height (roughly within 5 inches). They handle loads up to 30,000 lb and deploy manually or with hydraulic assist in seconds.
| Feature | Edge-of-Dock Leveler |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Dock face bolt-on — no pit |
| Capacity | 20,000 / 25,000 / 30,000 lb |
| Lip | 15 in |
| Span | 27¾ in |
| Panel widths | 66 / 72 / 78 / 84 in |
| Warranty | 3-year structural |
Edge-of-Dock vs Pit Leveler
A pit leveler sits flush inside the dock and offers full-length leveling across a wider range of truck heights. An edge-of-dock leveler is simpler, cheaper, and needs no construction — but has a smaller working range. If your truck beds are consistently near dock height, the edge-of-dock leveler is often the most economical choice.