There are times it pays to examine the process of choosing a lift truck. Like for example, does your business consistently select the same units for your dock work? If so, you could potentially miss out on a more efficient truck. There could be different other models on the market that offer less fatigue to operators and allow more to get done. You might be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more effective manner. By doing some research and evaluation, you could determine if you have the best equipment to meet your needs. By reducing operator exhaustion, you can significantly increase your performance.
When determining forklift units which address your specific problems some of the important factors to consider can comprise:
Trailer Loading Frequency:
If your shipping department only loads out a few semi-trailers or box trucks a week, then you probably won't need a pricey lift truck to complete the tasks. A cheaper walkie model or walkie-rider would 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 adequate. Last of all, 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 need 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 model or a walkie-rider. These battery-powered forklifts fit into a standard 108 inch trailer door easily. Their masts enable in-trailer stacking. These types of forklifts provide a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 lbs.
Operator Duties:
Every business has a slightly different system for material handling. In some circumstances, some forklift operators not only load trucks in the shipping department, but replenish the manufacturing line, store inventory on racks, handle the paperwork associated with the cargo, scan and attach bar codes and other jobs. Generally, the forklift operators who are always 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, rather than a sit down type.