How to Boost Your Forklift Load Times

February 22, 2017
Posted by: Justin Engel

Regardless of the industry or application, there are certain time-consuming movements and operations that are both frustrating and inefficient for forklift operators.  When considered on an individual basis, such actions are inconsequential and usually completed without a seconds thought. If performed with any kind of regularity, however, the accumulated time spent on minor movements substantially reduces both efficiency and ROI.

Take the process of repositioning a pallet or load, for example, which requires the operator to line the forklift up with the load, drive forward, lift, reverse, adjust position, drive forward (again), lower the load and back out (I know, I know, overkill right?).  I apologize for stating the obvious, but there’s a point here: imagine performing such an action with nearly every load you lift as a forklift operator?  Think about how quickly that extra minute or two per load would add up for every forklift in a 3 shift operation?

In these types of situations, simple and cost-effective solutions such as forklift side shifters and fork positioners will improve efficiency, productivity and ROI by completing these movements in a matter of seconds, rather than minutes.  With the addition of a forklift side shifter, for instance, forklift operators are able to shift the forklift carriage and forks (with or without a load) several inches in either direct without moving the forklift.  In doing so, the forklift side shifter dramatically improves load times, and, consequentially, both efficiency and productivity.

Unlike the side shifter, fork positioners does not allow an operator to shift a load laterally without moving the forklift.  Rather, fork positioners enable the operator to reposition the forks in unison or independently of each other and eliminates the time and manual labor required to adjust the position of the forks when dealing with different sizes of skid entry pockets.

The ability to independently move the forks and carriage of a forklift makes the forklift side shifter and the side shifting fork positioner indispensable attachments in space starved applications, including those with narrow aisles, smaller warehouses and side-by-side pallet storage.  Overall, these attachments help to reduce fuel consumption, truck wear, and pallet damage, as well as improve load handling times, efficiency, and productivity.

Author:

Justin Engel

Justin Engel is the marketing specialist at Stärke Material Handling Group. In addition to content development, he also handles graphic and website design, SEO, PR and strategic planning.

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