Powered industrial trucks (PITs), otherwise known as forklifts, come in many shapes, sizes, and fuel types. Though these trucks act like worker drone bees, buzzing about the warehouse, their potential differences mean that they can be best utilized in specific environments. As a site manager, it’s important to be sure your fleet consists of PITs best suited for your needs.
The Right Fit
Much like you want the perfect fit for a work-boot instead of one that’s just OK, making sure your PITs perfectly fit your operation will help keep everyone more comfortable. This is especially important to keep in mind for larger sites or companies with multiple locations – you may need a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider to move heavier freight in one location and a hand operated forklift/pallet truck to distribute smaller loads to specified areas of the site.
Making sure the PITs fit your site is half of the equation – you also want to be sure your site is suited to handle the PITs you have in operation. Aisle width, available space to turn and maneuver trucks, and the amount of pedestrian traffic are factors that can influence your choice of PITs and are things you might need to change about your site after assessing usage and employment of your PITs.
Other Considerations
Other factors that will influence the type of PITs you find best for the specifics of your site include:
- Maximum lift height and overhead obstructions for indoor sites
- Lighting – if it’s a dark area, you need trucks equipped with lights
- To help truck operator see
- To make truck more visible to pedestrians
- Projected hours of use
- Daily, Weekly, Monthly
By being aware of all of your options and needs when choosing the perfect PITs for your operation, or when assessing if the ones you currently have are actually a perfect fit, you will reap the benefits in high levels of efficiency and cost-savings. Even with Raleigh’s relatively low cost to other areas, the right trucks in the right place will require less maintenance, cause less downtime, fewer accidents, and higher levels of productivity.
