THE FORKLIFT TRUCK TRAINING CENTRE
Keep your forklift running smoothly

In a busy warehouse environment, it’s important to keep your forklift fleet up and running. By conducting simple checks you can make sure you avoid most serious faults, which can cost your business time and money. So what should you be checking when it comes to your forklift?

Some checks should be conducted daily. Checking oil and fuel levels daily is basic but important. Again a quick check of the tyres to make sure they don’t have any damage can go a long way. Safety features such as brakes and lights can be checked as you go about your business.

Some of the more intrusive checks can be conducted weekly. Hydraulic and transmission oil levels must be checks and adjusted as necessary. Additionally, oil lines should be checked weekly for any leaks. It’s worth also remembering to check the battery and power steering fluid level each week.

By conducting these simple checks each day and week, organisations can ensure that accidents are prevented and that forklifts work better for longer, saving a warehouse time and money.

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

The benefits of owning a variety of forklifts

Warehouses are busy places and forklifts are a must in this type of environment. There are several benefits to choosing a variety of forklifts for your fleet though – So why should you consider a variety of forklifts for your warehouse?

Up the efficiency! By having more than one type of forklift, every type of task in your warehouse can be efficiently completed, with a specific tool ready and waiting to complete the task at hand. By working more efficiently, productivity is sure to increase.

Make sure you’ve got a back up. If one of your forklifts stops working, it’s good to have a back up plan. With a variety of forklifts, you’ll have your pick of machines at the ready. With many forklift models offering multiple functions, chances are a faulty vehicle won’t hold you up for too long.

Ready for the challenge? Handling materials and working in a warehouse is full of unexpected challenges; if you have different types of forklifts at your disposal, you’ll have more options available to you to overcome any challenges ahead.

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

How to keep your forklift hazard-free

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].

Forklift Truck Training
3 wheel or 4 wheel forklift – what will work best for your warehouse?

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].

Is it time to replace your forklift?

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].