Sometimes, it pays to examine the method of selecting a forklift. Like for instance, does your business consistently choose the same models for your dock work? If so, you can potentially miss out on a more efficient truck. There might be other units existing on the market that offer less exhaustion to operators and allow more to get done. You may be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more effective manner. By doing some evaluation and research, you can determine if you have the right machine to suit your requirements. By reducing operator exhaustion, you can significantly increase your performance.
Several of the key factors to consider when determining forklift units that deal with specific issues comprise:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
You probably won't require an expensive forklift to complete tasks if your shipping and receiving department loads just a few semi-trailers or box trucks per week. An inexpensive walkie model or walkie-rider will be able to handle the task if: You are not required to stack loads in the trailer, and a 4500 to 6000 pound capacity is adequate. Last of all, you must 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 because the small load wheels should travel over the dock plate.
If your shipping facility is consistently loading trailers on the other hand, a stand-up end control model could make more sense over a walkie model or a walkie-rider. These battery-powered forklifts fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door without difficulty. Their masts enable in-trailer stacking. These types of forklifts offer a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 pounds.
Operator Duties:
Each company has a slightly different system for material handling. In some circumstances, some forklift operators not only load trucks in the shipping department, but store inventory on racks, replenish the manufacturing line, handle the paperwork connected with the cargo, attach and scan bar codes and other jobs. Usually, the forklift operators who are constantly on and off of their forklifts during their shifts find it a lot faster and less tiring to exit a stand-up control model, as opposed to a sit down kind.