The forklift has become a vital piece of equipment that could lift and transport products and heavy materials with both efficiency and speed. The way a business utilizes this machinery could considerably affect its profitability.
Free stacking pallets is the most common storage technique. Using this storage method is both economical and easy for your forklift. Free Stacking Pallets is placing one pallet on top of another to create a stack of products. This is a stable storage technique and is recommended when handling many pallets of similar dimensions and height or large amounts of the same product. The disadvantage of this specific technique is that it just allows access to the items put last, so it does not allow a First In First Out system.
It is vital to have a pallet racking system that involves the stable storage of various sized pallets. Using a Last In First Out or First In First Out technique, will enable for easy access of any pallet. It allows the rack to change shape and grow depending upon daily needs. This particular technique requires aisles which are wide enough to enable a forklift to maneuver easily and to freely access the racks. The disadvantage is that this specific system means fewer pallets can be handled in the setting. This might not matter if there is adequate space available.
Narrow aisle racking is similar to pallet racking in that it allows for a First In First Out or Last In First Out technique. The difference in the system is how the special narrow lift truck is utilized. This means that smaller areas are required between the aisles of pallets than in the Pallet Racking method. The benefit is that much more goods could be kept in the same space. The disadvantage is that you will have to transition to a new truck if you already own a regular lift truck. The cost of acquiring special equipment may be a deterrent to implementing this particular system of storage.
Using your lift truck to its fullest capability is important because it pays to consider your storage costs and retrieval costs of pallets. Afterward you could find out whether there are more effective means to use your lift truck in order to speed up the process or to increase the usable space of your units. Greater effectiveness means bigger productivity.