There are times it pays to examine the method of selecting a forklift. Like for instance, does your company always choose the same models for your dock work? If so, you could potentially miss out on a more effective truck. There might be other models on the market that provide less exhaustion to operators and allow more to get done. You may be able to take advantage of loading trailers in a more effective way. By doing some evaluation and research, you can determine if you have the best machinery to suit all your requirements. By reducing operator fatigue, you could significantly increase your performance.
Some of the important factors to consider when determining forklift units that deal with particular problems 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 require a pricey lift truck to complete the job. A less expensive walkie unit or walkie-rider would be able to handle the task if: You are not required to stack loads inside the trailer, and a 4500 to 6000 lb. capacity is enough. Last but not least, you should think about whether or not the transition from the dock floor to the dock leveler and into the trailer is not too jarring for the operator because 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 enable in-trailer stacking. These forklifts offer a model capacity range from 3000 to 4000 pounds.
Operator Duties:
For material handling requirements, every company has a slightly different system. Several forklift operators will often unload and load goods in the shipping department along with storing things on inventory racks, handle the paperwork associated with the loads, replenish the manufacturing line, attach and scan bar codes and other jobs. Normally, the forklift operators who are always on and off of their forklifts in their shifts find it less tiring and a lot faster to exit a stand-up control model, rather than a sit down type.