Choosing a Pallet Truck Supplier
When choosing a pallet truck supplier, look for one that offers a wide range of equipment. They should also offer equipment training and consultation.
Some manufacturers design trucks with controls that are ergonomically suited to the operator. This helps reduce hand fatigue and discomfort. In addition, many trucks are engineered for excellent performance and handling in tight spaces.
Safety
In addition to ensuring that their products are of the highest quality, pallet truck suppliers focus on safety. Their equipment helps enterprises maximize efficiency and productivity, transforming tasks that would otherwise require multiple workers into one-man jobs. Their range of pallet trucks includes a number of different models to suit specific applications. These include high lift and long reach pallet trucks. There are also manual and electric options, as well as a variety of fuel types and lifting capacities.
There are certain safety protocols that every worker must follow when operating a pallet truck. These include wearing personal protective equipment, such as steel-toed boots with anti-slip designs. They should also inspect the pallet truck for any severe wear and tear before use, including checking that its hydraulics are in working order. Lastly, they should never walk or ride on the pallet truck, and only use it to transport loads.
While motorized pallet trucks do pose some serious hazards, such as pinning risks and collisions, following the right guidelines can significantly reduce these dangers. This includes thorough training and certification, which should be a combination of classroom and practical experience. A supplier that offers an online e-learning course is a great option for companies looking to increase the safety of their workers and boost productivity. This course covers everything from basic operation to advanced handling techniques and features a number of interactive exercises to ensure that users learn the correct procedures.
Performance
Pallet trucks are among the most important pieces of equipment in warehouses. They allow businesses to efficiently move loads around and help reduce the amount of manual work that must be done by employees. However, they are not without their hazards and can cause injury to workers if improperly operated. Therefore, pallet truck suppliers should ensure that their products are safe to use and provide training to operators.
Many hand pallet trucks are designed with ergonomic features that make them easy to use. For example, they have molded handles that fit comfortably in the operator’s hands, helping to reduce hand fatigue and injuries. They pallet truck supplier also have sealed hydraulic pumps that are leak-free, ensuring that they will not be damaged by water or other contaminants.
Some suppliers are incorporating other innovative technologies into their pallet trucks. For instance, Noveltek has a model that can be driven by a worker’s voice, allowing them to control it while focusing on other tasks. Another company, Big Joe, has developed a semi-automatic pallet truck that allows the driver to direct it where to go using a built-in GPS system.
Safety is a top concern for pallet truck suppliers. Even though they are fairly simple pieces of machinery, they can easily turn into dangerous machines if not properly operated. A quality supplier will offer a range of training options to make sure that their customers are confident in operating them safely. They will also have specific load limits that should not be exceeded, to prevent equipment damage or personal injuries.
Design
Many manufacturers offer a range of options for their pallet trucks, so the user gets a truck that fits the working conditions. Examples include forks of different lengths or polyurethane tires that make driving quieter. The choice also extends to accessories like a load protection backrest, terminal attachment systems and cold store protection. These measures reduce wear and tear on the vehicle and on the operator.
Another factor that affects performance is the material used to build the pallet truck. New materials, such as thermo elastomers and ductile iron, improve strength without adding weight. This enables pallet trucks to work faster and longer, increasing productivity and cutting down maintenance costs.
In addition to the right material, a good pallet truck design enhances the pallet truck supplier ergonomics of the operation. For example, the control lever on hand pallet trucks is designed with a specific shape to fit comfortably in the operator’s palm, reducing fatigue and preventing injuries. The handle also features a neutral position alongside a fingertip release function to allow the operator to move the pallet truck with just the touch of a finger.
Many suppliers also improve the handling characteristics of their pallet trucks by designing more responsive steering. This enables the pallet truck to maneuver in tight warehouse spaces and lowers the chance of collisions. This not only protects the product but also increases the safety of operators and other people inside the warehouse.
Maintenance
Taking care of your equipment is essential to the long-term performance and longevity of any machine. When vital materials handling equipment like hand pallet trucks malfunction, it impacts a warehouse’s ability to meet deadlines and may even affect a company’s reputation. These workhorses are in near-constant use, so a failure is a huge disruption to operations that could negatively impact productivity and profitability.
Fortunately, a well-established hand pallet truck supplier can help prevent significant downtime and repair costs by providing regular servicing tasks that keep equipment in good working order. These services include lubricating the wheels, axles and grease fittings to protect them from corrosion and ensure smooth operation. Using the proper lubricant is important as something too thick can cause the fittings to clog, and too thin will lead to excessive wear.
Keeping up with your equipment also helps prevent safety issues and protects the wellbeing of your employees. Overloading a hand pallet truck can damage the equipment and make it harder to operate, so it’s a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommended load capacity.
