Category Flexi Truck

Forklift operation is a hugely important role with lots of responsibility. Getting your licence to drive a forklift is just part of the story though – here’s our top tips for being a better (and safer) forklift operator.

Check your equipment before you start. Even if someone else has been using the equipment before you, don’t assume that everything has already been checked and therefore is in top working order. Forklifts can be dangerous, so make sure you conduct a thorough inspection before you start – even if you’re in a rush!

Maintain your focus at all times. Once you’re qualified as a forklift operator it’s likely you’ll work with less supervision – make sure you practise staying focussed and safe at all times.

Stick to the rules. That means don’t overload your forklift at any time – know exactly how much weight your forklift can take and don’t go over it, otherwise the forklift can become unsteady. Keep an eye on your steed over ramps and around corners, and take your time!

Take your time when getting on and off your equipment. If you miss a step or take it too fast you could cause yourself an injury.

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

Warehouses are busy places! One thing is for sure; in any busy warehouse, you’ll find both forklifts and pedestrians – and when the two mix accidents can happen. It’s vital that everyone understands the importance of safety – so here’s our tips for making sure both forklift operators and pedestrians stay safe at all times.

Start with signs! Warning signs might not be noticed every time, but they do serve as a constant reminder of safety procedures and could jog someone’s memory at just the right time.

Keep forklifts and pedestrians apart. Not always possible or easy, but where you can create forklift only and pedestrian only spaces, or two tracks for both to use separately where possible.

Make some noise! Warning sounds and lights can provide an immediate visual reminder to keep safe and help team members to avoid numerous easily done accidents.

Make sure everyone knows everyone. Helping forklift operators and pedestrians to know one another and therefore be accountable for one another is incredibly helpful for forklift drivers to be aware of who they can see (and not, as the case may be) when they’re operating their equipment.

Stay safe!

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

Are you thinking of becoming a forklift operator? Here at the Forklift Truck Training Centre we offer a wide range of training modules for different types of forklift models – but what are the different types of forklift and what are they designed to do?

A counterbalance forklift is the model which is most commonly used by all warehousing and distribution hubs. This sort of truck is often used to unload LGV’s, working on loading docks or moving products around the warehouse floor space. A counterbalance truck is categorized as a Class 1 truck in material handling.

A reach truck is the type of lift truck predominantly used for going up and down the aisles of a distribution depot. Due to its versatility and the fact it can navigate very narrow aisles this is an essential part of modern warehousing. They can come in a variety of styles including standing / sitting positions for operators and there are those that raise the operator up and down too.

A flexi-truck is a specialist warehouse forklift truck and is essentially a hybrid crossover of a counterbalance and a reach truck. They are referred to as ‘flexi’ or ‘bendi’ due to the front axle steering the unit. These specialist trucks are suited best to indoor environments, working in narrow aisles and lifting to high racks in high density warehouse storage setups.

A powered pallet truck (PPT), also known as a pedestrian stacker truck & low-level order picker, is the basic warehouse workhorse; they handle goods at ground level, assembling orders, marshalling pallets, loading and unloading vehicles and a host of other important tasks. You can also commonly find these on the back of HGV trucks to assist drivers with daily deliveries.

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

It’s fair to say that in many warehouses’ forklifts are heavily relied upon to ensure a smooth operation. As such, it’s easy to miss the signs that your forklift is well past its best, which can have a big impact on the efficiency of your warehouse. Here’s what you need to look out for when a forklift is ready for retirement.

Is it worth trading in? If you’re surprised by the low trading value of your forklift, chances are it’s time to look for something new sooner rather than later!

Decreased productivity. More maintenance on a forklift has a big impact on productivity. If a forklift is out of action more and more, not only are the lost hours of work a problem but the cost of repairs can result in a big loss of money. Also, older forklifts won’t have the latest tech and efficiency improvements, meaning it simply won’t have the same productivity levels as a newer model.

Growing maintenance costs. Maintaining forklifts is important – regardless of how old a forklift is. However, if you’re noticing that maintenance is getting more and more costly, it might be time to consider replacing it with a newer model.

Yes, a new forklift can be pricey – but delaying making the investment could be even more costly!

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