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Select the right truck for load-outs
Sometimes it pays to examine your forklift selection process. If your company always specifies the same models for dock work, you might be missing out on a more efficient truck. Or, there may be a model that would help your operators get more done and go home less fatigued. You may also be able to take advantage of an opportunity to load trailers more cost-effectively.
Here are some factors to consider and forklift models that address the specific concerns:
Frequency of trailer loading
If your shipping department loads out only a few semitrailers or box trucks a week, you don't need an expensive forklift to accomplish the work. A lower-cost walkie or walkie rider will do the job if:
- A 4,500-6,000 lb capacity is sufficient
- You don't need to stack loads inside the trailer
- The transition from dock floor to dock leveler and into the trailer is not too jarring to the operator as the small load wheels travel over the dock plate
If your shipping department is constantly loading trailers, a stand-up end control would be preferable over a walkie or walkie-rider. These battery-powered forklifts fit nicely into a standard 108-in. trailer door. Their masts allow in-trailer stacking and model capacities range from 3,000-4,000 lbs.
Operator duties
Every company has a slightly different material handling system. In some, forklift operators not only load trucks in the shipping department, but they also replenish the manufacturing line, store inventory on racks, deliver paperwork associated with the loads, attach and scan bar codes and more. These operators, who are constantly on and off the forklifts, usually find it much less fatiguing and faster to enter and exit a stand-up end control model.
In other companies, forklift operators are on the trucks seven hours out of eight. They load and unload trucks constantly. They don't have to deal with paperwork, consult with supervisors or a computer on a desk often, or move the forks to adapt to different loads. These operators often find sit-down counterbalanced forklifts more comfortable and efficient.
Maneuvering space
Some facilities have lots of room in which the forklifts can operate. In these instances, a 4-wheel electric or engine-powered forklift remains a centerpiece of the warehousing fleet.
Other facilities are crammed to capacity. Their shipping department and staging areas have limited space for forklifts to maneuver. In this situation, a 3-wheel electric forklift or a stand-up end control may prove to be a better choice. They offer a tighter turning radius than all 4-wheel forklifts. For example, the outside turning radius for a FB20NT 3-wheel electric is 65 in, while a 4-wheel FBC20N is 90 in. The stand-up end control FBC20NS has a 60.4 in turning radius.
The aisle space required for right-angle stacking (be sure to add load length when you measure) for the three Mitsubishi forklift trucks mentioned are:
- FB20NT - 75 in.
- FBC20N - 90 in.
- FBC20NS - 73 in.
If space is not the overriding consideration, deciding among a 3- or 4-wheel forklift and a stand-up end control model should be based on:
- Operator preference
- Capacity required - 3-wheel electric Mitsubishi forklift trucks come in 3,000, 3,500 and 4,000 lb capacities. If you need more than that, a 4-wheel model is required. (A stand-up end control model's capacities range from 3,000-4,000 lb).
Your local dealer can help you make a good decision on which Mitsubishi forklift truck will deliver the best value. Give them a call to learn how to get more reliable performance and increased productivity by selecting the right model for you. |
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