Sometimes, it pays to examine the process of selecting a lift truck. Like for example, does your business consistently select the same units for your dock work? If so, you could potentially miss out on a more effective truck. There can be different other units available on the market which allow more to get accomplished as they offer less fatigue to operators. You may be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more cost-effective manner. By doing some evaluation and research, you could determine if you have the best equipment to suit all your needs. By reducing operator fatigue, you could drastically increase your performance.
Several of the important factors to think about when determining forklift models which address particular problems comprise:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
If your shipping department just loads out a few box trucks or semi-trailers per week, then you probably won't need an expensive forklift to accomplish the job. An inexpensive walkie-rider or walkie model will be able to handle the task if: You do not need to stack loads inside the trailer, and a 4500 to 6000 lb. capacity is sufficient. Last of all, you must consider whether or not the transition from the dock floor to the dock leveler and into the trailer is not too jarring for the operator because the small load wheels need to travel over the dock plate.
If your shipping facility is always loading trailers on the other hand, a stand-up end control unit may make more sense over a walkie-rider or a walkie model. These battery-powered forklifts fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door with no trouble. Their masts allow in-trailer stacking. These types of forklifts offer a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 pounds.
Operator Duties:
For material handling needs, every business has a slightly different system. Some lift truck operators will often load and unload products in the shipping department along with storing items on inventory racks, handle the paperwork associated with the loads, replenish the manufacturing line, scan and attach bar codes and other tasks. Usually, the forklift operators who are constantly on and off of their lift trucks during their shifts find it less fatiguing and a lot quicker to exit a stand-up control model, rather than a sit down type.