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Forklifts are hugely beneficial to any warehouse and can certainly lighten the load – but only when used properly and safely. Here’s some issues to watch out for when using your forklift.

Is your load stable? It’s likely you’ll be working in a fast paced warehouse environment, but it is absolutely vital that you ensure your forklift load is fully stable. Loads should also be fully secured when lifted. Poorly secured loads can result in goods falling off, or in extreme cases cause the forklift to topple over.

Is your forklift at capacity? Although it’s tempting, don’t overload it! If vehicles are carrying loads they were not designed to carry, the vehicle could become unstable.

Think about height. If the driver can’t see over the forklift load, there’s an increased chance of accidents, possibly involving pedestrians. A forklift operator must be able to see their route clearly at all times.

Is your load made up of hazardous materials? If so, it’s likely you’ll need extra training or support to handle these materials – make sure you’re fully trained on how to manage hazardous materials if needed and take extra care when doing so.

For more information about our forklift training services and to book your place contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

Choosing the right forklift for your warehouse is very important, depending greatly on the type of tasks your forklift will be expected to perform. Here we discuss the key differences between 3 wheel and 4 wheel forklifts, so you can choose wisely!

3 wheel forklifts have greater manoeuvrability, able to turn in tighter circles than a 4 wheel forklift – this might be a benefit depending on your warehouse layout. Small indoor spaces will benefit from 3 wheel forklifts the most. It’s key that the ground is smooth; 3 wheel forklifts will struggle over surfaces such as gravel.

4 wheel forklifts are known for better gradebility, good for moving heavy materials. They perform well with organisations with large capacity needs, heavy materials and rough terrain, performing well indoors as well as outside.

The key thing is to do your research! Selecting a forklift that suits your needs specifically is vital to ensuring high levels of efficiency and productivity, as well as value for money!

For more information about our forklift training services and to book your place contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

With the warehouse usually being incredibly busy, the need for a replacement forklift can sometimes be overlooked. It’s important to replace forklifts when they need to be as soon as possible however to ensure no time and money is lost. Here’s the signs to watch out for.

What’s the maintenance cost per hour? If you’re finding that maintenance costs for your forklift is starting to creep up, it’s time to consider a replacement. Even a newer model, with the upfront cost, will ultimately be cheaper than growing maintenance costs on an older model.

Is it working – every time? Typically as forklifts become older they experience malfunctions, such hydraulic lifts and forks malfunctions. If these problems are becoming more regular, it’s time to look for something new – Not only will you save money on repairs everyone working in the warehouse will be safer too.

How often are you using it? Do you find the same forklift is left standing still more often than not? Chances are that’s because it’s not effective and therefore needs to be replaced.

For more information about our forklift training services and to book your place contact us on 03333 442949 or [email protected].

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].

In busy warehouse environments training can be the last thing on everyone’s minds. However, it is vital that in a warehouse environment where using forklifts is necessary that forklift training is kept up to date. Here’s why.

There are several reasons why it’s important for forklift operators to have up to date training. Safety first and foremost requires periodic updates, plus forklift operators that are up to date with their training use their equipment effectively, ensuring full productivity and longevity for your forklift.

Forklift training is a basic requirement for those operating a forklift. Allowing workers to operate equipment with no or out of date training is hugely risky, to both your team and the organisation. Each country operates a different licensing or certification system for forklift driving too.

Generally speaking, forklift operators should update their training every 3-5 years – but that is just as a minimum. Equipment and standard practises are updated frequently, so it’s vital that your forklift training is kept up to date. So don’t delay, and book your forklift training session with us today!

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