What Are Portable Product Lifts?
Portable product lifts are equipment that can help with your material handling needs such as fork lifts, lift trucks, tote lifters and basket servers. One category of portable product lifts is the pallet server. This is an alternative to a fork truck which is advertised at a fraction of the cost. They are operated by hand by a walking operator, and are available for purchase with an optional portable traction drive system that makes the server easier to maneuver. The traction drive system allows a single operator to both load the stacker and transport it. The advantage of this type of portable product lift is the ability to transport a pallet, skid or crate without an understructure.
The Most Preventable Portable Fork Lift Related Injuries
It's true that that you can have mishaps from the use of portable fork lifts and other related equipment. But there is also a potential injury waiting to happen for the LACK of use of a portable forklift.
Are your employees neglecting to use the proper equipment when in a hurry, or if the load seems "light enough"? You are purchasing the equipment for a very good reason--to reduce workplace injuries, improve efficiency and make life easier on those who must move heavy loads.
Be sure your training plan reflects a requirement for all loads that need a portable forklift or other ergonomic solution to be used whenever possible. A heavy load in a busy area is dangerous when carried by hand, especially if the load obstructs the field of vision of someone walking in an area with forklift traffic and other hazards.
The Adjustable Box Stacker--Plastic Friendly!
The material handling portable lift category includes a device called the adjustable box stacker. This type of material handling lift is designed to transport and stack plastic containers. All clamps are coated with rubber to protect the plastic. They are one-person operated and include a driving handle, a pump pedal and a steering wheel.
The box stacker is much more ergonomic than a hand-carry operation, and the capacity for the stackers far exceeds what a person should safely carry. The stackers have a raised height of up to 48-feet and come with fork sizes up to 20-inches long and 17-inches wide.
These stackers are foot-pump activated and require no recharging, power supply or battery replacement, making them perfect for use in areas where outlets or power supplies are limited. With any hand or foot-operated device, your workers should be given a brief training session on the proper ergonomics for any material handling portable lift equipment you choose to employ. This will reduce the potential for injuries or strain caused by improper use of the material handling portable lift.
Training Concerns for Your Portable Lifting Equipment
If you are training your employees on any piece of equipment, whether it be a lift stacker or forklift, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
- A demonstration of the proper use of the equipment is one of the most important features, no matter how simple the operation may be.
- A lift stacker, for example, should be fully demonstrated including the proper use of any hand cranks, foot pumps and the appropriate way to load the lift stacker.
- You should be sure to explain what the capacity of the lift stacker or other equipment is rated at and if there are any safety concerns regarding potential pinched fingers, eye hazards or other issues.
- Does your lift stacker have a safety catch, wheel lock or other mechanism? Explain these in full as well.
"Low Profile"--Eliminating Back Strain and Adding Efficiency
Some portable lifts are solutions similar to a hand-truck or a dolly but with much higher capacities and better load centers. If you need a portable lift that can handle 500 pounds and has a large platform, it's better to invest in a low profile load lift?portable sytle than to make do with a dolly or a hand truck not rated to carry the load properly.
The lowered height on many of these low profile units is only a quarter of an inch, and is adjustable with either a hand crank or foot pump depending on the model. These versatile units are much more suited to certain kinds of lifting which a dolly won't be appropriate for. These portable lifts are designed to cut down on lifting and can load material from the ground making life much easier on the backs of your workers.
The Advantage of Going Manual
If you need a portable lift, but are on a tight budget, consider a manual portable lift. One model called the Trans-Positioner Straddle Design, comes in a fully manual version for just under $3,000. Compare that with the cost of the fully electric version which has a $10,000 price tag.
If your facility needs the technology at a reduced price, the fully manual mode may be your budget's best friend. There are also models that feature a manual drive but have an electric lift. This combination is also affordable and may be better suited to your needs depending on the operation. The fully manual version carries a load rated at just over 2,000 pounds. The manual/electric version can carry 3,000, the same capacity as the fully electric version. It all depends on the needs of your operation and the capacity you desire out of your portable electric lifts.