DC Velocity - IdeaBook 2014

I f you think about it, choosing the right type of lift truck is not very differ- ent from seeking the perfect mate. In both cases, reliability and trustwor- thiness are prized characteristics. And—fairy tales about peasants marrying royalty aside—the ability to “fit in” and operate effectively in a particular environment is a major consideration.

With so many classes and categories of lift trucks on the market, though, matching the right equipment to an application can be a challenge. So, will you need Yenta, the matchmaker in “Fiddler on the Roof,” to help you find “the one”? Probably not. But before you can begin to screen candidates, you’ll have to do plenty of research. Here are some guidelines for gathering that information, analyzing it, and making a decision.

FIRST, GET THE FACTS

The most basic information required includes a profile of what you’re moving: what kinds of products, packages, and containers; their weights, heights, lengths, and widths; whether they’re palletized; whether they require special handling; and how many of each type of item is handled per shift. You’ll also need basic vehicle data like actual run times, usage in hours, maintenance records, and energy consumption (battery amps or volume of gas), says Keith Allmandinger, senior marketing manager at Komatsu Forklift U.S.A.

Next, document the warehouse environment, says Bill Pfleger, president of Yale Distribution, a subsidiary of NACCO Materials Handling Group. Floor conditions, inclines or ramps, doorways, temperature, moisture, and so forth all affect the lift choice, he notes. He also advises conducting a power study to determine whether internal combustion or electric power is most suitable for the environment.