How To: Decide what style foot for heavy duty ramps.

Heavy Duty loading ramps come with two styles of cut on the foot end of the ramp, the knife cut and the stub cut.

Knife Foot Ramps

Advantages: Taper Knife Cut Feet provide a smoother transition from the ground onto the ramp. The knife cut feet are especially important if you are loading low profile autos limited ground clearance on the frontand/orrear of the vehicles. Properly sized, these ramps provide the flexibility for loading most autos as well as certain other equipment and small wheeled equipment.

Disadvantages: Tapered knife cut feet are designed to too sit flat on the ground with limited flexibility for varying load heights. When these ramps are used at load heights either above or below the designed range, the toe of the ramp more than likely will bend. The load height range is usually 6”, for example from 36”– 42”.

As you can see from the photos above, it is very important that you know your load height prior to purchasing ramps. Custom ramps can be manufactured to fit your needs if the standard ramps do not fit your needs.

Stub Foot Ramps

Advantages: Stub Toe Cut foot provides the strongest end available. In addition, they provide the greatest flexibility in load height ranges, usually 12”. For example, a load height ranges of 24”-36”. The strength of the footmakes it more appropriate for the loading of heavier equipment and more concentrated loads on smaller tires like skid loaders.

Disadvantages: Stub Cut Feet do not provide a smooth transition from the ground onto the ramp. Loading of autos may be restricted to those with greater ground clearances in the back and front of the vehicle.

(Author: Andy)