Sometimes, it pays to examine the process of selecting a lift truck. For example, does your company consistently choose the same models for your dock work? If so, you can potentially miss out on a more efficient truck. There may be other models available on the market which allow more to get done because they offer less exhaustion to operators. You might be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more effective way. By doing some research and evaluation, you can determine if you have the best machine to suit all your needs. By reducing operator exhaustion, you can drastically increase your performance.
Several of the key factors to think about when determining forklift models which deal with particular issues include:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
You probably won't need an expensive forklift to complete tasks if your shipping and receiving department loads only 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: You do not need to stack loads in the trailer, and a 4500 to 6000 lb. capacity is sufficient. Last but not least, you should 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 have to travel over the dock plate.
If on the other hand, your shipping facility is consistently loading trailers, than a stand-up end control would make more sense over a walkie-rider or a walkie model. These battery-powered forklifts fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door without difficulty. Their masts allow in-trailer stacking. These forklifts provide a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 lbs.
Operator Duties:
For material handling needs, every company has a slightly different system. Several forklift operators will usually unload and load products in the shipping department in addition to storing things on inventory racks, handle the paperwork associated with the loads, replenish the manufacturing line, attach and scan bar codes and other jobs. Generally, the forklift operators who are always on and off of their forklifts during their shifts find it less tiring and a lot quicker to exit a stand-up control model, rather than a sit down type.