In short: Buy ramps rated at least 1.5x your machine weight. Keep loading angle under 15 degrees for rubber tracks. Pin-on attachments only. Inspect every load.
A loading ramp is the cheapest piece of equipment on your job site – until one buckles under a two-tonne excavator and you are looking at a wrecked machine, a shredded trailer, and a very bad day. Buying the right ramp is about matching capacity, length, and design to the machine you are moving.
Capacity: the number that actually matters
Every ramp is rated for a maximum load capacity per pair. That rating assumes the machine crosses the ramp smoothly and centered. In real life, machines rock, hydraulics shift weight, and one track carries more than the other during turns on the ramp.
Rule of thumb
Pick a ramp with a per-pair capacity of at least 1.5x your machine operating weight. A 2,000 kg mini excavator wants ramps rated for at least 3,000 kg per pair (ideally 4,000 kg) to leave headroom for muddy tracks and full buckets.
Length and angle
Ramp length determines the loading angle. Steep ramps put more stress on the ramp, machine, and operator. General guide:
| Trailer deck height | Ramp length | Loading angle | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in | 6 ft | ~19° | Steep |
| 24 in | 8 ft | ~14° | Better |
| 30 in | 8 ft | ~18° | Borderline |
| 30 in | 10 ft | ~14° | Safe |
For rubber-tracked mini excavators, keep the loading angle at or under 15 degrees. Steel-tracked machines can handle more but chew up ramps. Skid steers with pneumatic tires want under 20 degrees.
Ramp types at a glance
Surface: knurled, punched, or grip-strut
- Knurled aluminum: light, decent grip, slick when wet
- Punched hole steel: great grip, self-clearing of mud, heavier
- Grip-strut steel: best traction, best drainage, heaviest
For year-round Ontario use, we usually recommend punched or grip-strut steel over aluminum.
Attachment method
- Pin-on: most secure, slower to set up
- Hook-over: fast, check for lateral movement under load
- Rubber flap: protects the deck, relies entirely on friction
Pin-on is our default recommendation for machinery loading. A hook-over ramp that shifts under load is what kills operators and machines.
Safety practices that pay off
- Center the ramps on the trailer – measure, do not eyeball
- Load heavy end first (usually the bucket for an excavator)
- Have a spotter – the driver cannot see the tracks and ramp edges at the same time
- Never load or unload on a slope
- Move at a steady walk – starts and stops on the ramp add stress
- Inspect every use – cracked welds or bent edges mean retire that ramp
Match the ramp to your machine
We carry ramps rated from 2,000 kg to 20,000 kg per pair in straight and arched designs. If you are not sure which fits your machine and trailer, we will walk through it with you.