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18_2597_DC Velocity_FEB Mod: December 10, 2018 8: 47 AM Print: 01/11/19 8:22: 49 AM page 1 v7
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of entry. In both cases, a pneumatic-tire truck could be too
tall to enter the trailer.
“These scenarios are why we strongly recommend demoing any truck you are considering buying or leasing,”
McGowan says. “Test it in every potential application where
you would ever see yourself using it so you can foresee these
kinds of problems and constraints.”
Operator comfort and safety. In
addition to considering the functioning of the equipment itself,
it’s important to think about how
using the same forklift indoors and
outdoors could affect the operator’s comfort and safety, Yale’s
Seager says. For example, different
lights, such as headlights, spotlights, and turn signals to better
illuminate the yard or light up an
alley, might be in order. A full-sus-pension seat will offer better ergonomics on uneven surfaces and ramps. And any truck that will operate outdoors
in cold or wet weather should have an enclosed cab and a
heater.
Indoor trucks that venture outside may need addition-
al attachments and accessories that weren’t necessary on
smooth indoor surfaces, Faiman says. For example, clamps
or a strapping system may be needed to hold loads in place
outdoors while they’re driving over uneven ground.
SO, WHICH WAY TO GO?
Demand for lift trucks that can be used both inside and
“outside the box,” as it were, has grown to the point where
at least one manufacturer felt it
was time to design a forklift specifically for that market. UniCarriers
says it believes its Nomad series is
the first forklift expressly designed
to straddle both worlds, falling
“between a traditional cushion-tire
Class 4 and a pneumatic-tire Class
5 forklift,” according to Smith.
The trucks are classified as a Class
5 pneumatic, he says, but they
have a smaller footprint, tighter
turning radius, and a lower chassis than a pneumatic, while
offering a slightly bigger profile and higher ground clearance than comparable cushion-tire trucks.
But is a dual-use truck the right way to go? For many
operations, the answer will be an unequivocal yes. If there’s
intermittent or minimal demand, one truck can be a good
choice, McGowan says. But if demand for a truck that
works both on the dock and in the yard is so great that
“you’re having to hold somebody in one position so you
can handle the other,” then separate inside and outside
trucks are necessary to maintain productivity.
Ergonomic considerations may also factor into the “one
truck or two?” decision, Johnson notes. If the operator has
to constantly jump on and off a forklift during a shift, then
equipment designed for outdoor use may lead to ergonom-
ic problems. In such cases, “the dealer might recommend
a different product for inside the DC—maybe a stand-up
counterbalanced rather than a sit-down IC, for example.”
Once the decision to consolidate has been made, other
questions arise. Should it be an indoor truck or an outdoor
type? The various considerations discussed in this article
should be carefully considered. But McGowan’s counsel is
generally to “lead with a Class 5 forklift for outside, then
make sure it also meets indoor criteria.”
Should it be an electric or IC model? Cost is relevant, of
course. Electric trucks typically come at a higher upfront
cost than IC models, but MCFA’s experts note that in
terms of energy consumption, electricity costs less than gas
or diesel. Regardless, they add, the long-term total cost of
ownership for the equipment should influence the decision.
One thing everyone consulted for this article agrees on: A
double-duty approach should only be implemented where
safety, productivity, and the condition of the equipment
and facility will not be compromised. The best way to be
sure, they urge, is to have an authorized dealer survey every
application before you decide which path to travel.
