Dock levelers and lifts are generally permanent fixtures at each door of a dock. Dock levelers bridge the gap and height difference between the dock and the trailer. Dock plates are simply metal ramps, bridging the gaps between dock and truck.

Hydraulic dock levelers are operated with the push of a button on a control panel, no longer requiring the operator to manually use a pull-chain. Instead, the operator uses a button to raise and lower the leveler and extend or store the lip.