Buyers Products Aluminum Wheel Chock with Ribbed Slope fits snugly under wheels to keep trucks and semis in place while they are serviced or parked. This lightweight chock is constructed from extruded aluminum and features a ribbed slope, making it ideal for use in ice and snow conditions.
Specifications
| Color | Silver |
|---|---|
| Finish | Plain |
| Height (in.) | 5.86 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Thickness (in.) | 8.75 |
| Width (in.) | 6.00 |
The Small Extruded Aluminum Wheel Chock, meticulously engineered by Buyers Products, represents a critical safety component designed for the rigorous demands of commercial and industrial vehicle operations. Measuring 6 inches in width, 8.75 inches in length (often referred to as thickness or depth), and 5.86 inches in height, this wheel chock is specifically proportioned to provide robust stabilization for a wide array of heavy-duty vehicles, including various trucks and semi-trailers. Its primary function is to prevent unintended vehicle movement during critical operations such as maintenance, loading and unloading, parking on inclines, or emergency stops, thereby significantly enhancing operational safety and regulatory compliance.
At the core of this wheel chock's superior performance is its construction from extruded aluminum. The selection of aluminum as the primary material is a deliberate choice driven by its exceptional mechanical properties and inherent advantages over other common materials like rubber or plastic. Aluminum offers an unparalleled combination of high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and consistent structural integrity. The extrusion process itself is paramount to the product's quality and durability. Unlike casting or welding individual components, extrusion involves pushing a heated aluminum billet through a die to create a uniform cross-sectional profile. This method ensures a homogeneous material structure, eliminates potential weak points often associated with welding, and allows for the precise incorporation of complex features, such as the integrated ribbed slope, directly into the overall design. This manufacturing technique results in a product with predictable performance characteristics, vital for safety-critical applications.
The specific alloy of aluminum utilized typically belongs to the 6XXX series, known for its excellent strength, formability, and resistance to environmental degradation. This material choice ensures that the wheel chock maintains its structural integrity and functional effectiveness even under extreme mechanical stresses and prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, aluminum's natural passivation layer, formed by immediate oxidation upon exposure to air, provides an inherent barrier against rust and various corrosive agents. This attribute is particularly beneficial in environments where the chock may come into contact with road salts, industrial chemicals, or moisture, thereby extending its service life and minimizing maintenance requirements. The "Plain" finish described means the natural state of the extruded aluminum, which is durable and functional, often contributing to better grip than painted or coated surfaces that could chip or wear off.
A distinguishing feature of this wheel chock is its ribbed slope design. This innovative surface geometry is not merely aesthetic but serves a crucial functional purpose: maximizing the coefficient of friction between the chock and both the tire and the ground surface. The series of raised ribs are strategically engineered to bite into the tire's tread, resisting any forward or backward motion of the wheel. Concurrently, these ribs enhance grip on the underlying ground, whether it be asphalt, concrete, gravel, or particularly challenging surfaces like ice and snow. In icy or snowy conditions, the sharp edges of the ribs can cut through thin layers of ice or compact snow, establishing a more secure purchase than a smooth surface would allow. This intelligent design significantly reduces the risk of slippage, providing superior stability and confidence in adverse weather, a scenario where vehicle stability is often most compromised. The angle of the slope is precisely calibrated to distribute the compressive force from the vehicle's wheel effectively across the chock's surface, converting potential rolling energy into static resistance.
The dimensions of 6 inches (width), 8.75 inches (length/thickness), and 5.86 inches (height) are carefully selected to provide optimal engagement with the tire profiles typically found on medium to heavy-duty trucks and semi-trailers. The 5.86-inch height ensures sufficient contact with the lower arc of the tire, creating a robust mechanical barrier against movement. The 8.75-inch length provides an ample footprint for ground contact, distributing the load effectively and preventing the chock from digging into softer surfaces or being pushed out from under the wheel. The 6-inch width offers substantial lateral stability, preventing the chock from twisting or shifting perpendicularly to the tire. These dimensions collectively ensure a "snug fit" as described, which is paramount for effective chocking. A properly sized chock prevents the wheel from overcoming the chock's resistance, a critical factor in preventing costly accidents, damage to equipment, and serious injuries to personnel. Proper dimensional matching to the vehicle's tire size is an essential aspect of safety protocol, ensuring the chock performs as intended under operational loads.
Operational safety is the paramount consideration for any wheel chock, and this Small Extruded Aluminum Wheel Chock is engineered to meet or exceed industry expectations for reliable vehicle immobilization. Compliance with safety regulations, such as those promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), often mandates the use of wheel chocks during specific operations, particularly those involving loading docks, vehicle maintenance, and parking on grades. By providing a dependable means of preventing accidental rollaways, this chock plays a vital role in protecting workers who may be operating around or underneath immobilized vehicles. It reduces the risk of crushing injuries, vehicle collisions, and equipment damage. Furthermore, its lightweight nature, weighing significantly less than comparable steel or heavy rubber chocks, contributes to worker safety by minimizing the physical strain associated with placement and retrieval. This ergonomic advantage can reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among personnel who frequently handle safety equipment.
The Silver color of the aluminum is its natural hue, offering high visibility against dark tires and various ground surfaces, which is important for quick identification during placement and removal, especially in low-light conditions. This inherent color does not rely on paint or coatings that could chip, fade, or require reapplication, ensuring consistent visual utility throughout the product's lifespan. The maintenance requirements for this aluminum chock are minimal; it resists dirt buildup and can be easily cleaned, maintaining its functional and visual integrity with little effort.
Beyond ice and snow, the robust design and material properties make this wheel chock suitable for a wide array of challenging environments. Its non-absorbent aluminum construction means it will not degrade from exposure to water, oils, fuels, or common industrial solvents, unlike porous materials. It performs reliably across extreme temperature ranges, from sub-zero conditions where rubber may become brittle to high summer temperatures where some plastics might deform. Its resistance to UV degradation means it can be stored outdoors without significant material breakdown, ensuring its readiness for deployment whenever needed. This versatility makes it an indispensable tool for operations in diverse geographical locations and varying weather patterns, from construction sites and distribution centers to remote field service operations.
The durability of extruded aluminum translates directly into a long service life and a positive return on investment. While the initial cost of an aluminum chock may be marginally higher than some entry-level alternatives, its exceptional resistance to wear, impact, and environmental factors significantly reduces the need for frequent replacement. This results in lower total cost of ownership over the product's lifecycle. Its rugged construction can withstand repeated impacts and heavy loads without deforming or failing, ensuring consistent performance over years of demanding use. This reliability is crucial for businesses that prioritize continuous operation and safety without interruptions due to equipment failure.
For fleet managers, maintenance supervisors, logistics professionals, and owner-operators, the Small Extruded Aluminum Wheel Chock from Buyers Products represents a strategic investment in safety and operational efficiency. Its thoughtful design, utilizing advanced material science and precision manufacturing techniques, delivers a product that is not only highly effective but also durable, lightweight, and versatile. It addresses the critical need for dependable vehicle immobilization across a spectrum of operational scenarios, from routine shop maintenance to complex loading dock procedures and emergency roadside interventions. By ensuring vehicles remain stationary when intended, this wheel chock mitigates significant risks, protects valuable assets, and, most importantly, safeguards personnel. Its robust performance in challenging conditions, particularly ice and snow, underscores its superior engineering and makes it an essential piece of safety equipment for any professional operation involving heavy vehicles. The combination of its precise dimensions, high-friction ribbed slope, and premium extruded aluminum construction culminates in a wheel chock that sets a benchmark for reliability and safety in the industry, making it an indispensable component of a comprehensive vehicle safety program.
