It is quite important for several businesses to examine the method of choosing a forklift. Like for instance, would your company choose consistently the same unit for your dock work or warehouse? If this is so, you could be missing out on a more effective forklift. There might be different other models on the market which provide less fatigue to operators and enable more to get accomplished. You might be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more effective way. By doing some evaluation and research, you can determine if you have the best equipment to suit your requirements. By reducing operator fatigue, you can significantly increase your performance.
When determining forklift models that deal with your specific problems several of the key factors to think about could include:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
If your shipping department just loads out a few box trucks or semi-trailers per week, then you probably won't require a pricey forklift to complete the job. An inexpensive walkie model or walkie-rider would be able to handle the job if: You do not need to stack loads inside the trailer, and a 4500 to 6000 pound capacity is sufficient. Lastly, you must think about whether or not the transition to the dock leveler from the dock floor and into the trailer is not too jarring for the operator because the small load wheels should travel over the dock plate.
If your shipping facility is consistently loading trailers however, a stand-up end control model may make more sense over a walkie model or a walkie-rider. These battery-powered forklifts fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door easily. Their masts enable in-trailer stacking. These forklifts offer a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 lbs.
Operator Duties:
Every business has a slightly different system for material handling. In some circumstances, some forklift operators not just load trucks in the shipping department, but replenish the manufacturing line, store inventory on racks, handle the paperwork connected with the cargo, attach and scan bar codes and other jobs. Generally, the forklift operators who are always on and off of their lift trucks in their shifts find it a lot quicker and less tiring to exit a stand-up control model, rather than a sit down type.