What are reach trucks and how can they benefit your business?

/in /by

Reach trucks are types of forklifts specifically employed to reach goods in an area that has high shelving and narrow aisles. Their most common applications include vast storage areas and warehouses. To optimise the use of space, shelves are usually stacked high, and racking is placed close together leaving little room for manoeuvre.

Unlike other kinds of forklifts, like the bulky counterbalance truck, reach trucks can access heights and places that are impossible for conventional equipment to get to.

With a relatively small body, and forks that can extend high into the air, reach trucks can look as if staying balanced might be a challenge. However, they have been designed for this very purpose. They have a small set of wheel rears and two outer legs allowing them to distribute the load which enhances their balancing abilities.

The reach truck wheels are positioned directly below the operator’s station. This provided it with an exceptionally tight turn radius and enables it to easily move into smaller areas where other trucks are unable to fit, while still reaching stock stored at height.

What are the business benefits of reach trucks?

As mentioned earlier, reach trucks allow warehouses to make efficient use of available space. The more room a storage space has, the more stock it can hold. As a result, costs for additional storage space are negated and warehouses can keep larger stockholdings, enabling them to enhance their performance as part of a supply chain. Able to reach high stacks of items and handle neatly in confined areas, reach trucks allow warehouses to use tighter and taller racking layouts to achieve this goal.

Safety benefits can be gained from deploying these trucks. Traditional options like ladders and employees order picking create potential risk on-site associated with working at height. Reach trucks avoid these issues, with forks collecting goods on behalf of the operator, who can examine goods via camera. Modern trucks are often fitted with sensors and automatic braking systems to avoid accidents.

Along with preventing health and safety hazards, reach trucks also promote safer material handling ensuring less damage to stock and loss of profits.

Exceptionally efficient and agile, trucks can improve productivity and enhance workflow. Ensuring stock is sourced, collected, and then delivered where it needs to get to within a warehouse, reach trucks are an ideal solution for any operation seeking to succeed.

Cutting-edge reach trucks from CAT

Reach trucks are constantly evolving with leading manufacturers like CAT continually adding features to improve their capabilities. CAT Forklifts are always designed to maximise profitability and performance while cutting costs for companies and safeguarding operators. The company’s NR-N2 range was developed to offer a reach truck to suit any situation and boast 11 different models.

While NR14-16N2L Light Reach Trucks can only carry loads of between 1.4 1.6 tonnes, they are easy to manoeuvre and highly dependable. At the other end of the scale, CAT’s heavy-dutyNR16-25N3 Reach Trucks can carry up to 2.5 tonnes. Regardless of the weight, they can manage, all trucks in the range benefit from innovative ergonomics, low maintenance requirements and high levels of energy efficiency.

A valuable asset for any enterprise

To sum up, this type of forklift truck offers enterprises the perfect combination of freedom of mobility and maximum height in terms of lift. While these might seem like simple tasks, they allow companies to increase the effectiveness of their storage facilities to enjoy significant savings. Additionally, the work rates and safety standards offered by this innovative equipment can ensure that operations remain compliant with health and safety regulations and operate at competitive production levels.

To find out more about how we can help your business get in touch today.

What are the benefits of ongoing forklift training for you and your business?

/in /by

Forklifts are among the most vital types of equipment used in factories, warehouses, and other distribution centres. A dependable solution that improves productivity and makes heavy-duty tasks far easier to perform, it’s not tricky to see why fork trucks are essential however, it is equally important that those who operate them are competent to use them. Making sure your workforce has proper forklift training is key.

While there is no official forklift driving license here in the UK, training courses are available that ensure operators have the necessary skills and experience to handle this equipment. While you might think that completing one training course in a lifetime is all an operator requires, this is far from the truth.

As a result, there are forklift training courses available for both absolute beginners and those with previous experience in operating these warehouse workhorses. Enterprises that regularly use forklifts on-site as part of their operations are advised to consider ongoing rather than one-off forklift training for their operators, as this approach can bring many benefits.

According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive’s <a href=”https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg457.htm”>(HSE)</a> guidelines certification is a legal requirement for operating a forklift. As a result, if a firm employs an unqualified operator, it is their responsibility to train them. While there is no law insisting on ongoing training, it is recommended for many reasons.

Read on as we explore forklift training in greater depth and the advantages enterprises can gain from the ongoing education of employees.

Forklift training – giving you business continuity

Knowing the best practices for safe forklift operation in a work environment is not information that you can learn once and forget about. Instead, it is an ongoing process that is constantly developing. To ensure the safest working conditions on-site and the optimum methods of operation are always used, regular forklift training is an effective choice.

By keeping training, a regular occurrence, the process is less disruptive for firms. Instead of significant driver downtime from lengthy courses, training can be broken down into smaller sessions. Operators may also retain their knowledge easier when training is provided in a manageable format.

Keeping information current

Over time, new techniques and technology are developed for forklift use. From onboard sensors and electric battery packs to more efficient ways of unloading, loading, and driving in low visibility, the best practices for using fork trucks are constantly evolving. By using an ongoing forklift training programme enterprises can ensure their operators are making the most of the latest developments in technology and new ways of thinking. Ultimately, keeping knowledge up to date will ensure employees are using forklifts using the safest and most efficient means possible.

Eradicating bad habits

It is understood that over extended periods, bad working habits can develop. Whether it’s to save time or energy, corners can get cut, and result in risk. From stock that is loaded poorly becoming damaged to worker injuries, the consequences of lazy practices can be severe.

Fortunately, ongoing training can keep your drivers constantly refreshed in the best practices for forklift operation. As a result, bad habits are less likely to take root.

Lowering insurance premiums

While it will depend on the insurance provider used, many companies find that the better trained their drivers are the lower their policy premiums are. It is understood that insurance costs are based on the level of risk involved, so improving the abilities of operators with continuous training can have a significant impact, reducing health and safety issues on site.

Enjoying the benefits of ongoing forklift training

To sum up, from a safer and more efficiently run workplace to avoiding disruption and damage, the benefits of an ongoing training programme are manifold for businesses. Business owners who fund continuing driver training are ultimately investing in their enterprise and its continuing success.

To find out more, get in touch with our team today.