There are times it pays to examine the method of selecting a lift truck. Like for example, does your business consistently choose the same models for your dock work? If so, you can potentially miss out on a more effective truck. There can be other models on the market that enable more to get accomplished since they provide less exhaustion to operators. You may be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more cost-effective way. By doing some evaluation and research, you can determine if you have the right equipment to meet your needs. By reducing operator exhaustion, you could drastically increase your performance.
When determining forklift units which address your specific concerns several of the key factors to consider may comprise:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
You probably won't need a pricey forklift to complete tasks if your shipping and receiving department loads just a few box trucks or semi-trailers per week. A less expensive walkie unit or walkie-rider will be able to deal with the task if: A 4500 to 6000 pound capacity is adequate and you do not need to stack loads inside the trailer. 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 since the small load wheels must travel over the dock plate.
If your shipping facility is consistently loading trailers on the other hand, a stand-up end control model may make more sense over a walkie model or a walkie-rider. These battery-powered forklifts easily fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door. Their masts allow in-trailer stacking. These forklifts offer a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 lbs.
Operator Duties:
For material handling needs, each business has a slightly different system. Several forklift operators would usually load and unload products in the shipping department in addition to storing items on inventory racks, handle the paperwork associated with the loads, replenish the manufacturing line, attach and scan bar codes and other tasks. Usually, the forklift operators who are constantly on and off of their lift trucks during their shifts find it a lot quicker and less fatiguing to exit a stand-up control unit, as opposed to a sit down kind.