How To Choose The Most Suitable Pallet Truck

With extensive and varied ranges of pallet trucks available to choose from, getting the right solution for use within a workplace can require a lot of research and consideration. There are many different aspects of the job to consider before investing in such equipment, all of them as important as the next. By examining everything from the terrain the truck will be used on to the units which will be moved, businesses can ensure that the pallet truck they acquire is best suited to their demands, and is not surplus to requirements.

For a truck which will constantly be used and will not be required to lift and transport the most taxing, heavy loads on a regular basis, a basic hand pallet truck should fit the bill effectively. The hydraulic units require no electricity to operate, and can be elevated by pumping the handle to raise pallets slightly off the floor. These types of truck are often used in warehouses and distribution centres, and are ideal because of their relatively low-maintenance operation and their durability. 

For loads which will need to be elevated to a certain height rather than transported anywhere, semi-electric manual stackers are a more appropriate choice. Their high-powered capabilities allow them to lift loads that would be impossible if attempted manually, and they can elevate these heavy loads in short timeframes. Both of these improvements on manual labour help to increase productivity around the workplaces, as larger volumes can be turned over in a shorter amount of time.

High-lift pallet trucks fill the gap between a hand pallet truck and an electric stacker. Pallet trucks with high lifting capabilities can reduce injuries to staff members by raising pallets to heights that make working on them easier. These types of truck are fitted with security features that make it impossible for the truck to move when the forks are raised over a certain height, in case the truck overbalances and causes damage to employees, premises or cargo.  

Trucks that will be used in adverse conditions are also available, with galvanized steel to protect from water or chemicals, to navigate rough terrain trucks across uneven surfaces and traverse trucks which can carry heavy or awkwardly shaped loads down the narrowest of aisles. All of these trucks help to fulfil the most demanding briefs from all industries, where finding the right equipment for the job is paramount to succeeding. It is important for all organisations to establish their exact needs and purchase the truck which corresponds to them, or risk wasting money on equipment which is either incapable of fulfilling demands or unnecessarily well-equipped for the task it performs.

To find out more about pallet trucks and buy online, visit http://www.midlandpallettrucks.com or Tel: 01384 841440.

Protect Pallet Trucks From Adverse Conditions With Consistent Maintenance Procedures in Winter Months

Whether being operated indoors or out, cold, wet and adverse weather has the potential to affect all pallet trucks used within the workplace. The extreme temperatures have implications for logistics equipment as well as floors and storage facilities. Strain reduces the reliability of key components of many trucks, such as batteries, tyres or any fluids used to aid their functionality, and any damage caused to these trucks can mean dipping into vital funds or budgets to provide replacements. It is essential to adequately and consistently maintain materials handling equipment in the winter months and after conditions such as the recent bouts of snowfall, or face potentially faulty equipment and a temporarily decreased level of productivity.

One of the first ways in which to stop the winter months from wreaking havoc on hand pallet trucks and automated lifting devices is to implement a thorough daily check routine. There may already be a regular check system in place, but making additions or altering them for the colder months can be beneficial. Checking the overall condition of the pump truck is paramount; this includes any lights, brakes, fluids or other controls that may affect the performance of the apparatus. These checks can help to catch any damage early so that it can be repaired accordingly. Check sheets are often available online or through the manufacturer.

Visibility is another important way to ensure trucks remain in good condition over winter. Whether it is supplying all employees with high-visibility garments or using extra internal and external lighting in winter in and around  loading bays and nearby buildings, high visibility can go a long way to creating a measurably safer working environment. Darker mornings and evenings can often mean more hours working in limited visibility so taking measures to avoid working in dim lighting reduces crashes, mistakes and other accidental damage to hand pallet trucks, forklifts, high lift pallet trucks and other everyday equipment. Similarly, if delivery lorries are in operation in limited visibility, dark nights and winter mornings, it is important to verify that their reverse beepers and horns are in good working order before undertaking any sort of task.

Many workplaces make use of both inside and outside areas as part of their everyday working processes; in the wet winter months, this can cause trucks and employees to bring a lot of the wet weather indoors on their feet, clothes or on their wheels. Placing the appropriate mats at entrances and exits, and ensuring that any slippery or wet areas are covered with noticeable signage can prevent accidents which can harm employees, ruin cargo and damage trucks and other equipment.

To find out more about pallet trucks and buy online, visit http://www.midlandpallettrucks.com or Tel: 01384 841440.

Protect Staff and Businesses With Appropriate Safety Measures

In the age of endless personal injury advertisements and compensation claims for the most blameless of accidents, it is vital that business protect both themselves and their staff by ensuring their safety when operating dangerous and heavy machinery. In certain industries, using this type of equipment is a daily process and a part of their everyday working remit, so it is crucial that each business takes precautions for the universal benefit of their staff. One of the most common methods used to increase safety for employees working with pallet trucks is to fit them with hand brakes, or purchase specific models with a brake installed. Midland Pallet Trucks, a leading supplier of lifting solutions and heavy-duty workplace equipment understands that many workplaces which rely on transporting heavy or cumbersome goods from one area to another on pallets and trucks, and they recommend that each employer ensures a percentage of their truck fleet is fitted with a brake.

Midland Pallet Trucks has the choice of two pallet trucks which come pre-fitted with a brake. The AC25HB Hand Pallet Truck with Brake has forks of 1150mm x 540mm and is specially designed to lift many different sizes of pallets which are currently in use across the continent. The truck itself, like all of the other trucks in the Midland Pallet Trucks’ range, is made from hardwearing steel and is coated in epoxy powder in order to protect against corrosion and deterioration of the efficiency and safety of the truck. The actual brake mechanism is controlled by hand so that the operator has easy access to their security controls, and the truck requires no special qualifications or training courses to operate, meaning it can be integrated quickly and seamlessly into a warehouse, factory or distribution centre.

The BFB2500A Hand Pallet Truck is the other truck fitted with a brake system available from Midland Pallet Trucks, and is used for lifting much higher loads. The maximum capacity of the forks is 2.5 tonnes; transporting loads this heavy without the added control offered by a brake can be a recipe for disaster in workplaces. The truck itself is easy to manoeuvre thanks to its 210 degree turning radius, and a fitted lowering valve adds an extra element of manipulation for the operator, who can control the rate of descent when the truck is loaded.

As well as traditional brakes fitted to trucks, pallet truck chocks are a vital piece of equipment to have around the workplace. They secure empty pallet trucks in place when they are being loaded or unloaded, in order to prevent them from rolling off loading bays. Though not specifically a brake, these chocks help to hold the truck in position and prevent unnecessary accidents which could injure staff, cause costly damage or ruin stock.

To find out more about pallet trucks and buy online, visit http://www.midlandpallettrucks.com or Tel: 01384 841440.

Vital Equipment For All Industries

Pallet trucks and all of their many variants are relied upon to a huge degree across a great number of different industries, all with exacting demands and requirements of their equipment. Different workplaces will see emphasis placed on a different area of productivity, whether the aim is to mass produce, distribute, collate or assemble; these various requirements are reflected in each industry’s choice of pallet truck or manual lifting equipment. A company whose main aim is to distribute goods to the wider public or to other businesses will need to be able to lift and transport large volumes of cargo in a reliable and safe manner, while the businesses whose primary concern is the intricacy of medicine or chemicals will need to ensure their equipment is sterile and hygienic. Each company has their prime piece of apparatus; this guide examines the main requirements for three of the largest industries.

Warehousing

The warehousing industry is preoccupied primarily with storage, and being able to hold large volumes of goods within the building. Shelving units scraping ceilings and long, narrow aisles help to maximise space in such workplaces, but employees often require mechanical help in order to access orders. Manual stacker trucks can lift cargo and pick orders from heights up to 3m, making them an integral cog in the machine of the warehouse industry. 1000kg lift capacities are standard with these trucks, meaning that elevating extremely heavy loads is made simpler and faster for all those involved. Without these trucks, warehouses would be condemned to use small shelving unit and would be unable to maximise not only space, but also profit.

Pharmaceutical / Medical

In the intricate and elaborate process of crafting chemicals which go into cleaning fluids, cosmetic product and even life-saving medicines, one of the most important qualities a truck can have is the ability to withstand harsh environments. Galvanized or stainless steel pallet trucks are often used in this industry due to their capacity to endure exposure to chemicals, not only from spillages but from the extensive sterilisation process they must undergo on a regular basis. When working with chemicals and other substances which could potentially interact with one another if mixed, it is important for the workplace to be entirely sterile; a reaction between two compounds could cause adverse results and cause loss of products, loss of earnings and the endangerment of employees.

Engineering / Construction

Working in the construction industry often requires equipment which can lift and transport oddly shaped items which are not necessarily palletised. Fork extensions can often assist with this type of task when fitted to an existing fork lift truck.

To find out more about pallet trucks and buy online, visit http://www.midlandpallettrucks.com or Tel: 01384 841440.