A Buying Guide: What to Look for when Purchasing Pallet Jacks

A few decades back, workers in factories and warehouses had to do backbreaking work as they carry supplies, raw materials and finished products from one point to another. Over the years, however, the way that manufacturing companies go through their business processes has greatly improved. Not only is the need for manual heavy lifting eliminated, but the time that materials get transported from point A to point B has been cut in half. This was made possible with the help of lifting trucks and pallet jacks.

A pallet jack is a very useful tool in the manufacturing industry which gets loaded onto a pallet conveyor or pallet truck. They’re typically made from wood, although metal is a material used as well. The main function of the pallet jack is to support the load which is usually a stack of boxes. Not only do they make transporting goods from one point to another a lot easier and more efficient, but the pallets also protect the items inside from being damaged or stuck along the pallet conveyor system.

Things to Consider when Buying Pallet Jacks

If you have a warehouse or a manufacturing company and you are thinking about buying pallet jacks, here are a few things that you can consider:
•    Should you go for new pallet jacks or used pallet jacks?
There are pros and cons to buying new pallet jacks and used pallet jacks. If you do have the budget for it, then you should definitely go with the new ones so they can last you for a good number of years. On the other hand, those with a limited budget but still require additional pallets for lifting goods can purchase used ones which are being sold by other manufacturing companies.

•    How much weight does the pallet jack need to handle.
Next, think about the weight that the pallet jack is supposed to handle. Depending on the size of the truck that you have, the total weight can range from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds. Naturally, the heavier the weight supported, the more expensive the truck and the pallets would be.

•    How low should the pallet truck go?
On average, pallet jacks can go as low as two feet and as high as seven feet from the ground. Depending on the specifications that you want, there are pallet trucks which can be lowered off the ground at a height that’s less than two feet – although you might need to have them specially configured.

•    What are the applications for the pallet jack?
Lastly, think about the applications for the pallet jack. There are trucks which can be used for rugged terrains while others can only be driven through flat surfaces. Depending on what the truck is capable of handling, you can purchase pallet jacks made from aluminum, ones with a double-face design, plastic, steel, wooden, four-way, nine-footed and standard GMA pallets. By taking these things into consideration, you can purchase the perfect pallet jacks for your business.

Don’t Compromise Safety! Top Tips when Using Forklifts

If you are delivering any type of product to your customers, you would need some sort of lifting equipment to transport goods, raw materials and finished products from point A to point B. Fortunately, you can always seek the help of cheap forklifts to do a good job of it for you. These specialized lifting vehicles are used by warehouses from all parts of the world. If you have a manufacturing company in Australia, for example, you would need to purchase Sydney forklifts to transport the goods which travel around the production area.

Safety Tips to Follow when Using Forklifts

Being the huge vehicles that they are, there are certain safety and maintenance tips that you have to follow when using a forklift. Just to be on the safe side, here are a few things that you should keep in mind:
•    Know what the weight limitation of the forklift is.
The average forklift weighs over two tons. It’s the sheer heaviness and volume of the vehicle itself which allows it to lift items on pallets, and transport them onto trucks throughout the warehouse area. When you’re aware of the weight limitation of the forklift, you can take several precautions to ensure utmost safety while using the vehicle.

•    Follow the basic rules when using the forklift inside a warehouse.
The driver of the forklift should be experienced in handling such a specialized vehicle. He or she should be a licensed forklift operator, and safety training should be provided before the actual handling of the vehicle. One of the safety features present in most forklifts is that audible beeping noise as it travels. This means that anyone who can get in the way of the vehicle can easily move as soon as they hear the noise.

•    Make employees aware of the proper, safe process to follow when picking up and carrying items on pallets.
To prevent accidents from happening, it is a must to ensure that the forks are completely into the pallet when they are being loaded onto the truck.

•    Always check on the batteries of the forklift.
You’d want to prevent the vehicle from malfunctioning, so always check on the batteries of the forklift. Most models use electric batteries so proper maintenance should be observed. At the end of the every shift, the batteries should be charged and it should be done in a well-ventilated area.

•    If you need replacement, should you look for cheap forklifts or brand new Sydney forklifts?
Lastly, if you are thinking of getting a replacement for your existing forklift, you can either purchase new ones or cheap second hand models. Just be careful when going for the second option, because previously used vehicles may have problems which you may not necessarily be aware of. To get the best value for your money, the forklift should be slightly used and still have a machine that’s in excellent condition to still give you plenty of years of service in the manufacturing company or warehouse.