The forklift has become a crucial piece of machine that can lift and transport products and heavy supplies with both efficiency and speed. How a company utilizes this machine could considerably affect its productivity.
A popular storage method is Free Stacking Pallets. This is a way to use your forklift that is easy and economical. Free Stacking Pallets involves placing one pallet on top of another to create a stack of products. This is a stable storage technique and is recommended when handling numerous pallets of similar dimensions and height or large amounts of the similar goods. The drawback of this technique is that it just allows access to the items put last, so it does not enable a First In First Out system.
Pallet Racking is a method that involves the stable storage of different sized pallets. Any pallet could be accessed at any time, that enables a First In First Out or Last In First Out method. It permits the rack to change shape and grow depending upon every day needs. This method requires aisles that are sufficiently wide to allow a lift truck to freely access the racks and easily maneuver. The downside is that this system means less pallets could be handled in the setting. This might not make a difference if there is enough space available.
Narrow aisle racking is similar to pallet racking in that it enables for a First In First Out or Last In First Out technique. The difference in the technique is how the special narrow forklift is utilized. This means that smaller spaces are necessary between the aisles of pallets than in the Pallet Racking method. The benefit is that more product could be stored in the same area. The downside is that you would have to transition to a different kind of truck if you already own a standard forklift truck. The expenditure of acquiring special machinery may be a deterrent to implementing this method of storage.
It is vital to use your lift truck to its full potential. It pays to analyze your time expenditure in retrieval and storage of pallets. Then you can determine whether there are more efficient ways to utilize your forklift to increase the usable area of your units or to speed up the process. Greater effectiveness means bigger productivity.