It is quite key for several companies to examine the method of selecting a lift truck. Like for instance, will your business select always the same model for your warehouse or dock work? If this is so, you might be missing out on a more efficient forklift. There can be other models on the market which allow more to get accomplished as they provide less fatigue to operators. You might be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more cost-effective way. By doing some research and evaluation, you could determine if you have the right equipment to meet your needs. By reducing operator fatigue, you could significantly increase your performance.
Several of the key factors to consider when determining forklift models which deal with specific concerns comprise:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
If your shipping department only loads out a few semi-trailers or box trucks per week, then you probably won't need an expensive lift truck to complete the tasks. An inexpensive walkie unit or walkie-rider will be able to handle the job if: A 4500 to 6000 pound capacity is adequate and you are not required to stack loads in the trailer. Last of all, you should think about whether or not the transition from the dock floor to the dock leveler and into the trailer is not too jarring for the operator as the small load wheels should travel over the dock plate.
If on the other hand, your shipping facility is always loading trailers, than a stand-up end control would 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 allow in-trailer stacking. These forklifts provide a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 pounds.
Operator Duties:
For material handling needs, every company has a slightly different system. Some forklift operators will often unload and load products in the shipping department in addition to storing objects on inventory racks, handle the paperwork associated with the loads, replenish the manufacturing line, attach and scan bar codes and other jobs. Normally, the forklift operators who are constantly on and off of their forklifts in their shifts find it a lot quicker and less fatiguing to exit a stand-up control unit, rather than a sit down type.