The purpose of a dock leveler snubber assembly is to raise the lip and suspend it long enough so that the lip can be lowered onto the back of a trailer. In this description, you’ll be viewing a Serco dock leveler.

When you pull the chain or rod, it releases a hold-down unit, and the dock leveler rises.

As the leveler rises, the snubber assembly lifts the lip and holds it in place.

Here you see the arm that will catch the lip to suspend it.

As the deck continues to rise, a chain attached at the other end of the arm pulls down on the lip lifting arm. In the image above, you can see the rod on which this arm pivots.

Afterward, the other end of the chain secures to a snubber spring.

The bottom of the spring is secured to a rod that is welded to the front of the dock leveler frame.

The snubber spring acts as a cushion to reduce the tension between the lifter arm and the frame. As the dock leveler reaches its maximum height, this spring extends slightly, protecting the chain and other components.

When the lip lowers onto a trailer, the lip rises and releases the lifter arm. The next time the leveler rises, the lip will lower to its normal vertical position. In conclusion, this is the purpose of the dock leveler snubber assembly.

More information about how dock levelers work and how to repair them is available on our DIY Instructions page in the “Dock Levelers” and “Dock Leveler Repair” sections of the page. For general information about dock levelers, our YouTube video titled “Dock Leveler Basic Operation” may also be helpful.