Material Handling

Telescopic Handlers and Boom Attachments for Forkifts

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Telescopic Handlers and Forklift Boom Attachments
Telescopic Handler

A telescopic handler is sort of a hybrid between a forklift and a crane. Its versatile telescopic arm can extend forwards and upwards from the vehicle and the end can be fitted with various attachments, including a bucket, pallet forks, a muck grab or a lift table. This sort of vehicle is used widely in industry and agriculture.

It’s commonly fitted with pallet forks to move loads to and from areas not accessible by forklifts. For example, a telescopic handler can be used to remove pallets from a trailer and place them on rooftops or other high places. It is often used instead of a crane, which is not always practical or cost-efficient.

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What’s New With OnTrac

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This is a press release about OnTrac’s increasing efficiency with material handling management and customer service. They strive to be the best, so they will be providing material handling installations in all of their facilities. The article goes on to discuss their reasoning for with quotes from their Director of Operations, and details about OnTrac … Read more

Equipment Rental to Continue Trending Upward in 2014, Industry Report Says

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Equipment Rental Industry Growh Expected to Continue to GrowThe US equipment rental market is expected to grow 9.8% in 2014, according to a report released this week by the American Rental Association. And it is expected to increase even further, to 11.8%, in 2015.

During 2013, the US equipment rental industry grew 7.3% over 2012, with $33.6 billion in revenues projected, the ARA report stated. The reason for the strong forecast was anticipated growth in residential construction as the nation continues to bounce back from the housing crisis of the past several years.

“The US equipment rental market is expected to continue its upward trajectory and show significant growth through 2017,” according to a summary of the report, called the ARA’s Rental Market Monitor. “Strong growth in real residential construction through 2015 will fuel the construction and industrial equipment segment.”

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Proper Use of Safety Cans

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Safety cans are used to store dangerous and flammable chemicals, such as gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel. They are specifically designed to ensure that these materials are kept safe and handled property to reduce the risk of fire or explosion. Safety cans include a number of features that make them the preferred choice of Underwriters Laboratories … Read more

A Little Planning Can Improve Warehouse Racking Efficiency

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warehouse rackingIf you are considering installing new shelving in your warehouse or replacing existing shelving to make it more practical, taking the time to consider the long-term implications of your warehouse racking system can increase efficiency and reduce long-term costs.

The first thing to consider is your storage density. Deep-lane storage opportunities — such as double-deep, drive-in, drive-though, pallet-flow and push-back racks — can make your warehouse more versatile and profitable. Obviously, if you need continual access to every pallet in our facility at all times, deep-lane storage is not the best option. But if you don’t require 100% selectivity, it usually will pay off in the long run.

FIFO or LIFO?

Before making a storage density decision, you need to consider whether your warehouse is Last-In First-Out (LIFO), or First-In First-Out (FIFO). FIFO operations do better with pallet flow racks while LIFO lends itself to deep-lane storage. If you use buried loads in a LIFO operation, you could be unnecessarily increasing your material handling labor cost.

Another thing to consider is your picking profile. Are your typical orders primarily picking pallets, cases or pieces? Do you pick from bulk to replenish a forward pick zone? How you configure your warehouse racking will be a function of your most common picking profiles. While most setups are not 100% efficient, by building your flow to your most common picking profiles, you can optimize your efficiency the greatest number of times.

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How to Select a Storage Shed

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how to select a storage shedAs any homeowner can attest, outdoor gardening supplies and equipment tend to accumulate very quickly. It doesn’t take long for a garage intended for parking cars become overrun with hoses, sprinklers, lawn mowers, pool supplies, gardening soil and other items that take up lots of space. That’s why buying a pre-manufactured storage shed is an attractive option for so many people.

Storage sheds provide practicality because they can be used to store all kinds of outdoor supplies and equipment in an orderly and secure manner, freeing up valuable garage space for vehicles. They also can add aesthetic value to your backyard, especially with the wide varieties of sizes, texture and colors available today. Some storage sheds come with sidings that can match your home, your garage or other structures on your property.

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All About Casters

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All about castersWhile many people think all casters are the same, in truth there are different types of casters for various jobs. Depending on what your needs are, you may prefer hard rubber casters that provide efficiency and stability in a warehouse setting or you may need softer rubber casters that won’t harm showroom or exhibit hall floors. Buying the right caster for the right job can make all the difference in the world.

When selecting the proper caster for a particular piece of equipment, you need to consider a number of different factors, including:

  • Productivity
  • Safety and Ergonomics
  • Floor Protection
  • Rollability
  • Capacity
  • Floor Obstructions and Operating Environment
  • Cost/Value

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The Importance of Forklift Preventive Maintenance

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Preventive Maintenance Makes Everyone HappyToo often big business tries to cut back on doing preventive maintenance in attempts to cut back on overhead. Small to medium sized business will often try to do the same. This is a huge mistake and ends up costing more in the long run. In this post we will discuss the advantages of preventive maintenance (PM) and how not participating in a PM program in regards to your equipment is the same as just breaking it yourself.

Gaining Control of the Situation

Preventive maintenance is the foundation of any maintenance strategy. Having a strategy in place means that you schedule 80% of your maintenance at least a week in advance without losing any equipment. Some of you are thinking this is impossible because you would need an extra forklift as the ones you are currently using are going nearly 24/7 as it is. No, you do not need an extra, you are already short one.

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How to Calibrate a Digital Scale

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The accuracy of your scale can determine whether your business is profitable or not. If your scale is not properly calibrated, you could be giving away product for free or overcharging your clients for what they purchase. Either option is not desirable if you want to maintain good  customer relations. Whether you are using a … Read more

Global Demand for Robots Rising

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Industrial RobotsThe demand for robots in manufacturing is predicted to increase nearly 11% to $20.2 billion by 2016. This growth rate is faster than the expected expansion in the global economy and overall manufacturing activity. In the US alone, the use of robots in manufacturing is expected to grow more than 15% in the next three years. In China, that figure is expected to be closer to 17%. Japan, Germany and South Korea also are predicted to show significant growth in the use of robots in manufacturing.

These statistics, compiled by the industry market research firm Freedonia Group , show rapid growth in robotics thanks to a number of key advances in robotic technology. These improvements include upgraded software, increased weight capacities, and improved dexterity. In the coming years, manufacturers will find new applications for robots as models that can perform more tasks enter the marketplace.

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