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.

Why A Manual Stacker Beats A Forklift For Cost-Effectiveness

When faced with the prospect of purchasing new apparatus for a warehouse environment, many managers often find themselves in two minds over two specific pieces of equipment: the forklift truck and the manual stacker truck. One of the biggest considerations given when trying to make the decision is the cost-effectiveness of each truck. Which will initially cost the most? Which will cost the most to run in the long term? Which will have the highest return on the investment? This thorough guide examines the ways in which hand-operated stacker trucks can be much more cost-effective than a forklift truck, and why businesses should be looking to invest in the for the long term.

When purchasing a forklift truck, many managers tend to disregard the extra costs they will have to invest as time goes on, to ensure the maintenance and proper operation of the truck. Some will purchase a forklift with the idea that they will pay a one-off lump sum for the equipment, and not have to splash out on another truck for many years. What they don’t consider is that forklift trucks often have a number of additional hidden costs. Training, for instance, is compulsory for any employee who will be operating it. Courses to ensure an employee has the correct qualifications to operate the apparatus can cost thousands, with refresher courses needed every few years to ensure their training is up to date. One of the main advantages of buying a manual stacker truck by comparison is that they currently require no license to operate in the workplace, and though basic safety training courses may be necessary, there are no specific qualifications or top-ups needed for staff members. This saves on training and also means that anyone in the workplace can operate them, rather than a specified few who have undertaken training.

The cost of actually running a forklift truck when compared with a manual stacker is often overlooked too. There is the option to purchase a gas-operated forklift, which won’t need charging, but it will go through expensive canisters of gas and use up just as much energy from a different source. As suggested in the name, a manual stacker truck such as the 1000kg 1.6m manual stacker from Midland Pallet Trucks is operated entirely by manpower and manual labour. Hand and foot controls lift pallets to workable heights without needing to be connected to a power source at all, saving on all kinds of fuel expenses.

Maintenance on battery and gas-operated forklift trucks is also an added expense. Levels of distilled water within battery cells need to be constantly monitored to check that they are maintaining a consistent level. Without this maintenance, batteries can dry out and need replacing, which results in an even higher bill for the equipment department. Manual stackers’ freedom from the use of power sources means that the only maintenance required is of the aesthetic type, protecting the truck from corrosion and rust, and ensuring that all joints are smooth and well-oiled.

In summation, the cost of running a manual stacker truck when compared to a forklift truck is lower in every aspect. From initial outlay to employee training, and from fuel allowances to maintenance costs, the money saved when using a manual stacker can be used to great effect elsewhere within a business at a time of great economic uncertainty.

Final Call To Prepare For Christmas Issued by Midland Pallet Trucks

Midland Pallet Trucks is issuing a final call to businesses to stock up on the vital equipment and apparatus to see them through the busy Christmas period. The last weeks of October are generally the calm before the festive storm, the relatively quiet time before the Christmas rush hits. The amount of business undertaken over the festive season can double or triple depending on the nature of a company and how in demand their services are, but many warehouses and factories distributing goods across the country can see workloads increase hugely. This means all equipment must be in absolute prime condition, to deal with the extra stresses and strains.

The benefits of purchasing extra pallet trucks to add to a fleet around this time of year can greatly decrease the strain on the rest of the equipment. Bolstering the workforce with brand new equipment is also a great way to streamline working processes and get every system working to its full potential. The addition of some basic 2000kg Lightweight Hand Pallet Trucks to the workplace can mean a larger volume of work can be carried out, and helps to take some of the strain off the equipment that might be past its best. These trucks are ideal for euro pallets, the most commonly used pallets in the UK, and the top quality hydraulic pump makes for easy lifting and transportation of goods.

The addition of a weighing scale pallet truck to a fleet of trucks can also speed up working processes tremendously. In many workplaces, there are a number of scales placed around the workplace where loads must be measured before they are packed and stored, or before they are distributed. Goods must therefore be taken all the way to the weighing area on the pallet truck, unloaded, weighed and reloaded back to the truck before anything can be done with them. The HP-ESR Weigh Scale Pallet Truck can completely cut this long process by weighing goods on the go. The number of operators needed is vastly reduced, as there doesn’t need to be more than one person to help with moving goods to the scales and back, and this means the surplus staff can carry out other tasks which will boost productivity and profits alike. This truck is battery-powered with an easy-to-read LCD display, and can carry up to 2000kg.

Traverse pallet trucks are also a great piece of equipment for taking vital time out of lengthy working processes. They are able to move long loads down narrow aisles with ease, which provides a high level of flexibility and convenience, especially at a time when workloads are increased.  The trucks can be used with both open and closed bottom pallets and are covered with a heavy-duty steel coating for optimum durability. It is these extra pieces of equipment that can make the difference this Christmas, where every cog within the working machine must be working to its highest potential. 

Safety By Numbers: Assessing Equipment

After the recent drives to ensure all staff members are competent and adequately trained in all areas of their safety process this Christmas, it should follow that there are similar campaigns to keep all equipment in good working order. Throughout the UK, four accidents involving fork lift or pump trucks occur every day, with this number rising over the busy festive season. As a result of these accidents, 25% end in hospitalisation or even death. This can be due to the aforementioned lack of safety procedures as well as inconsistent maintenance of all equipment. There are basic rules in place which can help all employers improve the safety of their workforce and prolong the life span of their lifting and handling apparatus, including pallet trucks. These rules can be broken down into four key steps, which are easy to understand and simple to put into practice. Risk Assessment All apparatus, whether it be an extendable ladder or an electric pallet truck, should to be subject to a thorough risk assessment before staff are allowed to operate it. Controlling and minimising risk is the key here, and it is important that both safe methods of work and appropriate records are maintained. Workers should document all hazards they come into contact with, and should be trained in all aspects of detecting defects, inspecting their equipment and carrying out essential daily or weekly maintenance. Some of the most dangerous incidents which can be subject to risk assessment include the truck overbalancing due to too much cargo, hydraulic fluid leakages or the malfunction of improperly maintained wheels. Training Any employee who will be operating certain pieces of equipment will need to possess the adequate licenses and training to be able to use whichever truck they are in charge of. Some pieces of equipment, such as hand pallet trucks, require only the bare minimum of training and no special licenses to operate, but other more specialised forms of handling equipment demand that theoretical and practical training be undertaken by the users. It is also recommended that refresher courses be taken every three years to incorporate any changes in legislation or safety practises which may have come into play since the last qualification was obtained. Maintenance As covered in the risk assessment section, the maintenance of all types of handling equipment, including pallet trucks, forklift trucks and high lift pallet trucks, is crucial to its safe operation. As well as any checks specified by the employer, workers must also be prepared to carry out extra checks recommended by the manufacturer. The time between these inspections can vary in accordance with the working environment and how often the equipment is used, but the legal requirements state that a thorough examination is carried out on all trucks at least once per year.