Category Conversion

Autonomous forklifts are on the way up. With warehouses becoming more and more fast paced, autonomous forklifts can be of benefit to the working environment. So what are the pros and cons of autonomous forklifts?

PROS

Less human contact. Autonomous forklifts mean less human intervention is required, meaning workers can be diverted to other needs within the business.

Productivity is up! Autonomous machines mean that productivity is naturally going to rise. The methodical process of machinery means that tasks can be completed in a timely and accurate manner.

Safety first. By decreasing the involvement of human contact, workers stay safer in the warehouse and the risk of incidents, which can be significant in a warehouse, immediately falls.

CONS

How it all works. Whilst in the long run technology can make the warehouse more efficient, the learning and training process on new technology can affect productivity in the short term.

 Tight budget? Investment in autonomous forklifts can be costly to the business and initial implementation could be significantly expensive.

Malfunction? Like any technology, autonomous forklifts can go wrong. A breakdown in technology can cause significant delays.

So will you consider autonomous forklifts for your warehouse?

For more information about our forklift training services, contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

Forklifts do a lot of the heavy lifting for us, which is great – but at times, when we’re busy, we can forget the basics of materials handling. Not adhering to the basics when it comes to materials handling can be incredibly dangerous – here’s a reminder to make sure you can avoid any unnecessary injuries.

Think about your posture. Make sure you are stood on solid even ground when lifting, and don’t lift anything whilst seated.

Plan your lift. Think about the lift before you attempt it, including where the materials need to end up. Don’t lift anything over any obstacles, don’t make any sudden movements and think about the size of the load and whether or not it needs to be reduced.

Use equipment where required. Don’t try to take any shortcuts – forklifts and other equipment are provided for a reason! Use the appropriate equipment for the job.

Ask for help! It sounds very simple but it’s easy to resist asking for help, even when it could make your life a lot easier. If you need help from your colleagues, just ask! Everyone should feel comfortable to ask for support.

For more information about our forklift training services, contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

It’s easily done but highly dangerous – Overloading your forklift must be avoided at all costs. But why is it such an important thing to remember?

There’s a limit. Every forklift will have a limit on how much weight it can carry, this information will be readily available via the manufacturer. But it’s easy to forget what the limit is and when in busy times it can be tempting to add to the load a little bit more – but this can be highly dangerous. Overloaded forklifts can tip over and cause injuries.

Counterbalance forklifts are designed to ensure the back of the forklift is heavier at all times, keeping the wheels of the forklift firmly on the ground. If limits are not adhered to counterbalance forklifts can become unstable. The weight limit can also be different depending on the terrain.

How can you make sure the load is within your forklift’s limits? Make sure you check the weight of the load before you lift – you can usually find the weight via the labelling or by using a scale.

For more information about our forklift training services, contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

There’s never a good time to replace your forklift – but noticing the signs of when your forklift is on the way out could save you a lot of money in the long run. So how can you tell if it’s time to retire your forklift?

Is it maintenance or repair? Maintenance checks are incredibly important, and must happen regularly – but are those maintenance checks becoming less of a check and more of a chance to repair wear and tear on your forklift? It might be time to think about a replacement…

Are you losing money? It’s not just money lost on parts, it’s money lost on productivity – if the cost of your forklift is rising, it’s a good idea to think about a replacement before the cost outweighs the benefits.

Accidents. Are you finding there’s a steady increase in accidents or mistakes? A broken forklift can be the cause of rising mistakes. Replace your forklift before any serious mistakes or accidents happen.

For more information about our forklift training services, contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected]

We all know the huge benefits of using forklifts in and around the warehouse, including when unloading goods from trucks. But if you’re not paying attention or being diligent, mistakes can happen that are both costly and dangerous. Here’s what to look out for when unloading a truck using your forklift.

Trailer curtain. Before you start make sure the curtain has been pulled back in full to ensure proper access to all pallets.

Straps. Make sure all ratchet straps and harnesses have been fully removed before you attempt to move anything, making sure pallets can move freely.

Back to front. Generally speaking, goods should be unloaded from the back of the truck to the front, unless you are directed otherwise. Tall or double stacked pallets are usually stored at the front where they can be supported by the truck body.

Watch the roof! And the truck sides of course. When you’re unloading tall or wide products knocking into the side of the truck can cause product damage.

For more information about our forklift training services, contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected]