Choosing The Right Loading Ramps for Diggers & Plant Machinery

Choosing the right loading ramp for safely loading your digger, dumper truck, excavator, or ride-on mower into your trailer or van is essential for safety and to ensure your machine is not damaged during loading.

At The Ramp Factory, we offer an extensive range of heavy-duty aluminium loading ramps designed for loading heavy machinery into a variety of vehicles, including transit vans, sprinter vans, and trailers. Our guide will walk you through how to identify the most suitable ramp length for your needs and what else you should consider before purchasing a loading ramp.

1. Your load height - This is the vertical distance from the ground to where the ramp will rest on the back of your van or trailer. The load height determines the minimum ramp length you need.
2. The maximum weight you wish to load - Consider the weight of the machine you are loading, including any additional weight it may be carrying.
3. What vehicle will you be loading onto? - At The Ramp Factory, we offer a choice of 4 connection options to ensure the ramp securely stays on your vehicle during loading 
4. Your wheelbase - This is the distance between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. In general, the shorter the wheelbase, the lower the ramp's load capacity as the weight is concentrated over a smaller area 
5. Your track width - All of the plant ramps have a minimum and maximum track width noted 
6. Your wheel or track type - Rubber tracked machinery generally requires a different ramp surface to steel tracked machines 
7. Does your vehicle have low clearance? Vehicles such as forklifts, scissor lifts and some mowers have low ground clearance and require a ramp with a smoother gradient. If you are loading a machine with low ground clearance please contact our team who can request a CAD simulation is completed to check suitability or provide a custom solution. 
8. Storage space available - Ramps are typically stored on your van or trailer, so check the available space to ensure you can transport them safely.

How to identify the right ramp length for loading plant machinery 

EU guidelines requires the minimum gradient for loading plant machinery to be 30% or 1:3.3.

To calculate the minimum ramp length:

• Take your load height (vertical height from the ground to where the ramp will rest)
•  Multiply this measurement by 3.33. This will identify the minimum ramp length required.

For ease, all of our loading ramps state the minimum and maximum load height the ramps can be used at.

We also suggest checking the machines user manual to see the maximum gradient the machine can climb. For items with low clearance a smoother gradient may be required. 

Important: All of the ramps have a minimum and maximum load height they can be used at. This is because the foot (base) of the ramp is cut at an angle to ensure the ramp sits securely on teh ground during loading. This design feature provides smooth access onto the ramp and allows the ramp to support its stated capacity.

If you require a smoother gradient, the ramps will generally need to be custom cut for your lower height otherwise the foot of the ramp will not rest securely on the ground during loading. 

Our aluminium loading ramps are designed to stay securely in place during loading thanks to multiple factors, including the connection option that fastens the ramp to the vehicle, the angled foot resting firmly on the ground, the weight and angle of the ramp, and the weight of the machinery being loaded.

As standard, each ramp is supplied with a curved rest-on connection featuring a pre-drilled hole for securing the ramp to your van or trailer, making it ideal for flat-bed vehicles such as Ford Transit vans, Mercedes Sprinters, and tipper trucks.

For beaver tail trailers, a hook connection is generally recommended, while step-frame trailers typically require a bottom hook connection.

All of our plant ramps are TÜV-certified, ensuring they have been rigorously tested for safety, and we provide a two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Can the same ramps be used for multiple machines? 

In general, the same loading ramps can be used for a variety of machines as long as they are within the stated capacity and have the recommended track width. Always check that the product specifications meet the requirements for all your machinery, and contact our team if you are unsure about suitability.

If you plan to use the ramps with different vans and trailers, it is important to ensure the load height remains appropriate for every vehicle you are loading onto.

Our aluminium plant ramps are designed for a loading gradient of 30%.

Cars and vans generally require a smoother gradient, especially vehicles with low ground clearance. We recommend checking your vehicle’s clearance and consulting the user manual to confirm the maximum gradient it can climb. If you are unsure, please contact our team to verify suitability.

Yes, we offer customised loading ramps, with a lead time of approximately 4–6 weeks.

Customisations can include providing ramps with a smoother gradient, alternative connection options, alternative ramp sizes, adding raised edges for extra safety, and incorporating carry handles for easier transport.

Tailored Expert Advice

At The Ramp Factory we have dedicated expert advisors available to help you choose the most suitable ramp for your loading needs.

If you require assistance, please contact us via phone or email. For custom options, please confirm your load height and provide specifications of the machine you are loading to allow us to accurately provide solutions to you. 

• Comprehensive 2-year warranty
• Premium quality, made in Italy
• Bespoke solutions available for your loading needs 
• TÜV-certified, load with confidence 
• Extensive range of lengths, widths and capacities