LEVELING A STORAGE CONTAINER

From site preparation to leveling a storage container, you can rely on Seacans by Bomont for all. Leveling a container implies placing a dolly pad under each corner. We can also construct a dolly pad, cut a shim, and do preparation to level your container.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS

Is there enough room to place the container (ie; 14’ x 26’ or 14’ x 46’)?
Is there enough room for the delivery truck and/or trailer (ie; 50’ or 70’?)?
Are there any other hazards for the delivery truck and/or trailer?
Is the site reasonably level?
Is there sufficient provision for water runoff to prevent pooling under the container?
Are there any nearby obstacles overhead or otherwise that may inhibit the safe placing and use of the container?
Where do you want to access the doors on the tail end of your container?

SITE PREPARATION

Clear debris, stumps, and vegetation
(Footprint plus minimum 3’ perimeter recommended)
Containers are designed to bear their weight on the reinforced corner posts
Remove topsoil corresponding to where the four corners will sit
(Leaving 4 level areas of hard clay, approximately 3’ in diameter each)

RECEIVING YOUR CONTAINER

Unless there is a reason, your container will normally be delivered on tilt deck equipment so that it can be grounded
Alternately a crane or lift truck can be hired if space is tight or the delivery distance is sufficiently long mitigating the cost of a tilt deck delivery
At your discretion, the container will be loaded “doors to cab” or “doors to tail” depending on how you want the container oriented on your site
Have your dolly pads and shims ready to place under the corners

LEVELING YOUR CONTAINER

Place a dolly pad under each corner
First, using the jack-all and shims, lift and place shims sufficient to level the nose
Second, using the jack-all and shims, lift and place shims sufficient to level the tail
Be aware that the doors will not operate properly if the container is not level and the door jamb is allowed to go out of square
HINT; if you wish to store wheeled vehicles or equipment, that may not have a reverse gear, it can be advantageous to have the container slope from nose to tail (ie; 2" - 4”) to facilitate easier unload

PREPARING TO LEVEL YOUR CONTAINER

Purchase or make four “dolly pads” of sufficient size to spread the weight of the container and act as a base for shims during the leveling process
Purchase or make a number of “shims” to level the corners
Obtain the use of a “jack-all” (or crane) to provide the lift necessary to level your container

CARING FOR YOUR CONTAINER

Oil the hinges and latching mechanisms regularly
Paint the container, with rust paint, to keep rust at bay and the container attractive. (Brush & roller or spraying is recommended, subject to overspray caution in windy conditions)
At your discretion, most containers have provisions for venting requiring a small plate to be cut out

CONSTRUCTING A DOLLY PAD

Purchase sufficient 2” x 6” nominal pressure treated material to cut 9 pieces of 16 ½” stock per dolly pad
Cut and place your stock in perpendicular layers, nailing and gluing into 3 layer pads

CUTTING A SHIM

Purchase sufficient 2” x 6” nominal pressure treated material to cut enough pieces of 16 ½” stock to shim the corners of your container
Cut and place your shims on top of the dolly pads, perpendicular to the top layer of pad boards, to level your container

PLASTIC DOLLY PAD

Robust structural plastic pad with breaking strength tested at 400 kN (89,924 lb)
40 cm wide X 40 cm long X 5 cm high (15 ¾” X 15 ¾” X 2”) & 7.4 kg (16 ⅓ lbs) each
Primarily used for dollying down highway trailers and levelling containers

WHAT IS A JACK-ALL?

dolly