There are times it pays to examine the process of selecting a forklift. Like for example, does your business always select the same models for your dock work? If so, you could potentially miss out on a more effective truck. There might be different other models on the market that allow more to get done since they offer less fatigue to operators. 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 equipment to meet your requirements. By reducing operator fatigue, you could significantly increase your performance.
When determining forklift units which deal with your particular problems several of the key factors to consider can include:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
You probably won't require an expensive forklift to accomplish tasks if your shipping and receiving department loads only a few semi-trailers or box trucks a week. A less expensive walkie-rider or walkie model 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 but not least, you have to 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 since the small load wheels must travel over the dock plate.
If on the other hand, your shipping facility is always loading trailers, than a stand-up end control will make more sense over a walkie-rider or a walkie model. These battery-powered forklifts easily fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door. Their masts allow in-trailer stacking. These forklifts provide a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 lbs.
Operator Duties:
Every company has a slightly different system for material handling. In some circumstances, some forklift operators not just load trucks in the shipping department, but store inventory on racks, replenish the manufacturing line, handle the paperwork associated with the cargo, scan and attach bar codes and other tasks. Usually, the forklift operators who are always on and off of their lift trucks in their shifts find it less tiring and much faster to exit a stand-up control unit, rather than a sit down kind.