Everyone should Google their own name once in a while. You just never know what will show up.
I tried it last night and I was surprised to see there is a new book coming out in April with my name and company as chapter 8. The name of the book is: The eBay Billionaires' Club: Exclusive Secrets for Building an Even Bigger and More Profitable Online Business by Amy Joyner. Now, I spoke with Amy a year ago and was interviewed for the book, but I had no idea I would become the subject of chapter 8! After all, who is really interested in forklifts, material handling equipment, pallets, stackers and the rest. Apparently people are interested in walk behind forklifts.
Now, I'm waiting to see what the chapter even says about me or ForkliftDeals. Did she give away any of my secrets about how I sell material handling equipment over the internet, or how I market drum lifters or drum deheaders. I guess I'll just have to wait like everyone else.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
You Sell Forkifts on the Internet?
I just got off of the phone - a potential customer called to ask about one of our walkie stackers he saw on the website. He asked some of the typical questions and then commented that he was local to me and wanted to come look at one of our pallet stackers. I told him that I don't run a showroom, I only sell over the internet..........there was some silence.
So why do I only sell over the internet? The answer is pretty easy - this is what I want to do. I'm not interested in running showrooms, staffing it with salesman, lending out demonstrator units, and all of the rest. When I started the business, I decided I wanted to offer the best medium duty material handling equipment I could find at a great price. The main part of the business concept was to reduce the overhead and markups associated with local dealers. That's what we do.
The customers who know what they want and are comfortable with buying over the internet love it! Give it a try.
So why do I only sell over the internet? The answer is pretty easy - this is what I want to do. I'm not interested in running showrooms, staffing it with salesman, lending out demonstrator units, and all of the rest. When I started the business, I decided I wanted to offer the best medium duty material handling equipment I could find at a great price. The main part of the business concept was to reduce the overhead and markups associated with local dealers. That's what we do.
The customers who know what they want and are comfortable with buying over the internet love it! Give it a try.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Yes, The Subject Is Wheel chocks
Wheel chocks are devices which are intended to prevent movement of wheels on equipment and vehicles. At times when prevention of even the least amount of movement for a wheeled vehicle is critical, wheel chocks are the answer.
Wheel chocks are most commonly made of one of the materials such as rubber, steel, urethane or aluminum. Generally the top surface of the chock is an arc shaped to fit the arc of the wheel or tire, while the outer surface is squared off. The bottom of the chock often is engineered in such a way as to grip the ground. The arced top surface may also have markings which increase traction of the wheel against the wheel chocks. Wheel chocks come in sizes to fit many different types of wheels as well as one-size-fits-all designs. A handle on the side of some brands of wheel chocks makes it easier to place into position without the need of touching either the wheel or the pavement surface.
Once the wheel chock is wedged snugly against the lowest angle of the wheel, it is almost impossible for rolling or even slight movement to occur. The double traction of chock against pavement and chock against tire is a added safety feature when loading or unloading trucks or trailers.
Trucks and trailers often use wheel chocks when backed up to the loading dock since the access to the loading dock is often at an incline. The chocks prevent the truck or trailer from moving slightly at an inopportune moment creating a situation where there could conceivably be a forklift rollover accident with disastrous results. Even a small gap in the surface between loading dock and truck can cause unnecessary jarring.
Since trucks and trailers rarely can find a perfectly level place to park, wheel chocks are commonly used any time a truck or trailer is parked. They are also used anytime the driver is required to do work around or under the truck or tires. Wheel chocks for eighteen-wheelers often have small warning signs attached, reminding drivers to “chock your wheels” or conversely, reminding them that wheel chocks need to be removed before leaving the area. Wheel chocks are used on railroad cars to prevent unwanted rolling backward or forward when not being used or during loading.
In manufacturing operations or at a warehouse, whenever a pallet truck, stacker or forklift is in use, wheel chocks are recommended for safety. The additional time required to place a pair of wheel chocks into position is much less than the time required to pick up a toppled pallet of inventory items should the loading equipment slip.
Other common uses for wheel chocks include stabilizing motorcycles during trailer transport or while doing mechanical work on the bike. Chocks are also used to prevent small aircraft from moving around when parked. The wind could otherwise lift and move the planes to the extent that they could be damaged.
Mechanics and experienced drivers both know that placing a wheel chock in place when changing a tire or working underneath the vehicles helps to prevent accidents.
Wheel chocks are most commonly made of one of the materials such as rubber, steel, urethane or aluminum. Generally the top surface of the chock is an arc shaped to fit the arc of the wheel or tire, while the outer surface is squared off. The bottom of the chock often is engineered in such a way as to grip the ground. The arced top surface may also have markings which increase traction of the wheel against the wheel chocks. Wheel chocks come in sizes to fit many different types of wheels as well as one-size-fits-all designs. A handle on the side of some brands of wheel chocks makes it easier to place into position without the need of touching either the wheel or the pavement surface.
Once the wheel chock is wedged snugly against the lowest angle of the wheel, it is almost impossible for rolling or even slight movement to occur. The double traction of chock against pavement and chock against tire is a added safety feature when loading or unloading trucks or trailers.
Trucks and trailers often use wheel chocks when backed up to the loading dock since the access to the loading dock is often at an incline. The chocks prevent the truck or trailer from moving slightly at an inopportune moment creating a situation where there could conceivably be a forklift rollover accident with disastrous results. Even a small gap in the surface between loading dock and truck can cause unnecessary jarring.
Since trucks and trailers rarely can find a perfectly level place to park, wheel chocks are commonly used any time a truck or trailer is parked. They are also used anytime the driver is required to do work around or under the truck or tires. Wheel chocks for eighteen-wheelers often have small warning signs attached, reminding drivers to “chock your wheels” or conversely, reminding them that wheel chocks need to be removed before leaving the area. Wheel chocks are used on railroad cars to prevent unwanted rolling backward or forward when not being used or during loading.
In manufacturing operations or at a warehouse, whenever a pallet truck, stacker or forklift is in use, wheel chocks are recommended for safety. The additional time required to place a pair of wheel chocks into position is much less than the time required to pick up a toppled pallet of inventory items should the loading equipment slip.
Other common uses for wheel chocks include stabilizing motorcycles during trailer transport or while doing mechanical work on the bike. Chocks are also used to prevent small aircraft from moving around when parked. The wind could otherwise lift and move the planes to the extent that they could be damaged.
Mechanics and experienced drivers both know that placing a wheel chock in place when changing a tire or working underneath the vehicles helps to prevent accidents.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Tell Me Again What A Drum Lift Is For.....
A drum lift is intended to lift usually 55 gallon fully loaded drums or barrels easily, safely and quickly. This product generally uses one of three ways to lift the drum once it is grasped. The drums can be lifted by a forklift. With this method, usually an attachment of some type is fitted onto the forks which will securely grip and lift the drum. These attachments have a range of difficulty in the procedure for attaching to the fork truck. The preferred type is easily attached and detached, does not require electrical or hydraulic connections or special tools and allows your fork truck to be used for other purposes as well.
In additional to the capability of lifting the drum, the equipment should be able to rotate the drum a full 180 degrees in order to empty the container in the required location. A drum lift attached to the fork lift may use mechanical jaws to tighten around the drum; it may lift and support from above or below, or it may use a belt or chain around the drum which is lifted by the regular action of the fork lift.
Mechanical operation is usually provided by pull chains or hand cranks. A pull chain can be operated from the seat of the fork lift while a hand crank usually requires dismounting the lift truck. Special holders with additional support at the base are designed for plastic or steel drums. There are additional accessories for handling fiber drums.
An item of note for the type of drum lift which includes tilting is that the weight of the drum must be taken into consideration. A half-full drum which is naturally bottom-heavy will require more power to lift and tilt than a full drum even though the weight is less.
The second type of drum lift is by hoist. The lift consists of a saddle around the drums and additional support under the drum. This type of drum lift can handle drum diameters from 22 to 23.5 inches and heights from 23 to 38 inches. Fiber, plastic, and steel drums are easily lifted and transported by means of a crane, chain block or monorail. Another type of hoist drum lift is intended for use with steel drums. Its jaws lock down over the lip of the drum which is them moved by crane or rail to the desired location. The lock is not released until the drum is set down.
A hydraulic drum lift which has an optional motorized version is set on a v-shaped base which is movable. The user can control the lifting height and pouring angle. Typically, the drum is secured by a top clamp, a saddle and bottom support. Fiber, steel and plastic drums can be moved and tilted with this type of drum lift, and the job is easily handled by one person. This type of carrier is also capable of lifting and tilting partially filled drums up to the rated weight. Safety features with this type of drum lift include a lock features to prevent undesired moving or swinging of the drum once it is in position.
Monday, February 12, 2007
I Don't Sell Forklifts-But I'm Asked All the Time About....
FORK LIFT TRUCK
A fork lift truck is a small motorized vehicle typically used in a manufacturing concern, loading dock, retail store or other operation where movement of goods or supplies is needed. Usually there is a confined space involved, although a fork lift truck can also be used outdoors in logging or mill operations.
The concept of the forklift was first developed in the 1920’s by Clark Material Handling Company and Yale & Towne Materials Handling Company. Today it is generally considered to be an indispensable piece of equipment in any warehousing or manufacturing concern.
A number of different designs and types of the fork lift truck have been designed over the years, to suit one specific purpose or another, but generally there is two different types of unit. It is either powered by an internal combustion engine fueled by LPG, diesel or gasoline, or it is powered by an electric motor with battery or fuel cells.
In addition to the power unit, a fork lift truck consists of the truck body which is propelled by either tracks or wheels, depending on the use. The mast is the part of the lift truck which does the actual lifting. The vertical assembly which raises and lowers the forks is usually hydraulically operated. The carriage is attached to the mast and is a flat metal plate moving up and down the mast as needed to position the forks. The L-shaped forks attached to the carriage on the short leg either with a hook, clasp or sometimes they are shaft mounted.
Safety features include a load back rest which prevents the load from falling onto the cab when the load is lifted and tilted to the rear before moving. The cab is protected by a steel cage for safety and contains the controls. Most, but not all fork lift trucks are rider-driven. Finally the counterweight on the rear of the fork lift truck is necessary where there is a heavy load on the forks. The battery can serve this function in electric trucks.
In a warehouse setting, a typical fork lift truck will be capable of moving one to five tons, although lift trucks capable of moving 50 ton loads have been used, depending on the application.
The operator of the fork lift truck has the capability to raise and lower the forks, to tilt the mast backward in compensation for the slight downward angle of the forks. Some units have the ability to rotate the tines or to side step the tines to allow for easier load handling. The fork lift thus equipped has some ability to work on uneven ground.
While a skilled operator understands and uses the unique handling characteristics of a fork lift truck, there are safety issues for the inexperienced operator. The entire unit and load must be considered as one whole when moving the load. The center of gravity for the loaded fork truck is low and is constantly changing. When the load is raised, a tight turn can result in a serious roll-over mishap.
A fork lift truck is a small motorized vehicle typically used in a manufacturing concern, loading dock, retail store or other operation where movement of goods or supplies is needed. Usually there is a confined space involved, although a fork lift truck can also be used outdoors in logging or mill operations.
The concept of the forklift was first developed in the 1920’s by Clark Material Handling Company and Yale & Towne Materials Handling Company. Today it is generally considered to be an indispensable piece of equipment in any warehousing or manufacturing concern.
A number of different designs and types of the fork lift truck have been designed over the years, to suit one specific purpose or another, but generally there is two different types of unit. It is either powered by an internal combustion engine fueled by LPG, diesel or gasoline, or it is powered by an electric motor with battery or fuel cells.
In addition to the power unit, a fork lift truck consists of the truck body which is propelled by either tracks or wheels, depending on the use. The mast is the part of the lift truck which does the actual lifting. The vertical assembly which raises and lowers the forks is usually hydraulically operated. The carriage is attached to the mast and is a flat metal plate moving up and down the mast as needed to position the forks. The L-shaped forks attached to the carriage on the short leg either with a hook, clasp or sometimes they are shaft mounted.
Safety features include a load back rest which prevents the load from falling onto the cab when the load is lifted and tilted to the rear before moving. The cab is protected by a steel cage for safety and contains the controls. Most, but not all fork lift trucks are rider-driven. Finally the counterweight on the rear of the fork lift truck is necessary where there is a heavy load on the forks. The battery can serve this function in electric trucks.
In a warehouse setting, a typical fork lift truck will be capable of moving one to five tons, although lift trucks capable of moving 50 ton loads have been used, depending on the application.
The operator of the fork lift truck has the capability to raise and lower the forks, to tilt the mast backward in compensation for the slight downward angle of the forks. Some units have the ability to rotate the tines or to side step the tines to allow for easier load handling. The fork lift thus equipped has some ability to work on uneven ground.
While a skilled operator understands and uses the unique handling characteristics of a fork lift truck, there are safety issues for the inexperienced operator. The entire unit and load must be considered as one whole when moving the load. The center of gravity for the loaded fork truck is low and is constantly changing. When the load is raised, a tight turn can result in a serious roll-over mishap.
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