Application of Yard Ramps
We are sometimes asked about the traction when using yard ramps for loading docks outside in the elements. Bluff Manufacturing uses a serrated grating in combination with a diamond deck steel plate. Both surfaces offer a bite for the fork truck drive wheel and as long as the driver is competent most operations can continue […]
Buying decisions are made for one of five reasons…Reason #5 Service
In looking back at the other four articles in this series, I need to point out that these are not numbered in order of importance. The statement is; when you or anyone else chooses one product or service over another it will be for one or more of these reasons. Because price is listed first, it does […]
Constructing a Site for Portable Steel Railboard Use
Portable steel railboards (rail boards) are a great solution to bridging the gap between railcars of all types and loading docks. Bluff Manufacturing has been manufacturing railboards for these applications for decades and it seems that no two rail sites are alike. Due to that fact, every railboard built is a custom fabrication for a specific […]
Steel vs. Aluminum Dock Boards – you make the call
As the Plant Manager for Bluff Manufacturing, I often find myself looking over our products staged for shipping to our customers and thinking to myself,Why would someone order that product? This question always comes to mind with respect to large aluminum dock boards, AC and BC products. Example: a few weeks ago a customer ordered […]
Buying decisions are made for one of five reasons…Reason #4 Technology
Sometimes we get lucky and there is a glaring difference in the features of our product, one that sets it apart. If we are really lucky it is one for which the customer feels justified in spending more. This is the part of the job that demonstrates either our professionalism or that we are just […]
Buying decisions are made for one of five reasons…Reason #3 Delivery
How’s your delivery? Well, the only person that can speak to that is your customer. Delivery is quite often the trump card at the buying table. Delivery of a small product can enable a large project…or hold it up. The value of the project is far greater than the products price and not having it can be extremly costly. Our delivery performance is compared […]
Buying decisions are made for one of five reasons…Reason #2 Quality
Quality is a relative term with both ends of the spectrum being open. One thing is of higher or lesser quality than another but nothing being of absolute total quality or totally absent of quality. Although, I think I have owned things that almost meet the “absent” attribute. One of the definitions in Wikipedia is […]
Buying decisions are made for one of five reasons…Reason #1 Price
You know there is no getting away from the fact that we are the solution to our own problems. Having been in sales for longer than some of you have been alive, I have blamed everything and everyone for poor sales results. In truth, in the material handling business, I have always had all the […]
Things to Know About Yard Ramps – Part II
The ground to dock application seems, at first, to be pretty straight forward. There are a couple of “gotch-ya’s” to consider. The lie of the land in front of the dock can make for tricky math as it slopes one way or the other from the dock. A laser level can be handy in doing […]
Things to Know about Yard Ramps – Part I
When I was a dealer (material handling heavy into casters) I had not read the catalog explanation about yard ramps prior to quoting my first one. That is a mistake you have all made about some product. Admit it. I was able to salvage my credibility and the sale by some quick thinking on my […]
