Material Handling Equipment Review

Item: Walkie Pallet Stacker Forklift

Model: P10030

Brand: LiftScience

Similar to: Crown ST 3000 Series

The P10030 is a medium duty lift truck for use in small and medium sized warehouses and factories. I have had mine for a little over 2 years and overall am pretty pleased with it. I can recommend this model.

It can lift a total of 2200 pounds to a height of 122” that is a little over 10 feet. However, in reality, when you factor in clearances and pallet overhang, the top shelf in your warehouse should be at approximately 9’ 8”.

This lift truck has about the smallest turning radius I have ever seen. Similar to a pallet jack, it will turn within its own length so it works very well in the narrow aisles I have. It takes about 30 seconds to lift to it highest point and lowers down at about the same speed. The control handle is easy to hold and has a fully variable butterfly speed switch which is really accurate. I’ve seen some other brands which only have either forward or reverse.

This lift truck can easily go up reasonable grades in our parking lot even with a full load and the brakes stop it quickly.

I don’t operate it too often except for when we get a container in, then it gets used non-stop. I find that the batteries will last a full business day of use and I then plug it in at night to recharge.

I looked at several other brands before I bought this one. I had previously have a manual drive LiftScience M10030 lift truck and was happy with it, except that I was getting tired of pushing it.

There are probably two things I think they could do better with this model – the standard batteries only last about 1-2 years – a higher quality battery would be a good idea. However, I was able to replace the batteries at Costco for $130 and the replacements have an even higher capacity and a guaranteed for 4 years. The other thing would be adjustable width forks.

ForkliftDeals is Expanding 300%

I'm pretty excited! We just made the decision to expand our website by 300% to sell 3 times the number of products.

Here are some of the items we are adding: drum dollies, steel dockplates, drum racks, drum grip, drum cradle, drum wrenches, drum lifters, electric lift tables, hoists, floor scales, platform trucks, dock bumpers, fork extensions, pallet pullers, cargo slings, and 3 new models of pallet stacker.

Drum Lifters Are Hard To Sell

Boy are drum lifters hard to sell.

It would seem as if you had a drum and you needed to lift it, that the natural thing to look for would be a drum lifter. Many, many industries use drums for bulk chemicals, raw stock of powders, small parts, mixing bins and shipping containers. There have to be thousands of drum lifters and rotators sold every year in the US. I've been selling several different models for the past 2 years and they are HARD to move. As contrasted with dockplates or walk behind pallet stackers, I get very few inquires regarding drum lifters.

I'm still working on this and I'm not ready to give up on them yet, but....stay tuned.

OK - Really Boring - Material Handling Equipment Industry Terms

ACTIVITY:
Number of transactions used for financial, efficiency or lean manufacturing purposes as measured by: # of picks in line items or amount shipped in dollars.

CAPACITY:
A fork lift truck's load capacity at a specified load center, measured in pounds at a specific fork height

CARRIAGE:
A support structure for forks or attachments on a lift truck, generally roller mounted, travels vertically within the mast of a fork lift truck. Typically made of high strength steel.

CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG):
The point at which the load mass is balanced. On a forklift truck, this is typically specified in inches from the base of the forks.

CLEAR AISLE:
Dimension in a storage aisle, from rack to rack, less pallet overhand, load overhang or other obstructions. Also, see pallet and load overhang.

COUNTERBALANCE OR COUNTERWEIGHT TRUCK:
A fork lift truck equipped to lift and transport the load in front of the load wheels. This is accomplished by putting heavy counterweights at the back end of the truck.

CROSS AISLE:
An aisle used for travel. Typically no storage is put in this aisle, which crosses the end of pick aisles and serves as the main travel route for forklifts, pallet stackers and pallet trucks.

DEEP DISCHARGE OR DEEP CYCLE BATTERY:
Batteries which are capable of being run down to less than 20% of the rated capacity of a cell or battery and then being recharged.

ELEVATED HEIGHT OR LIFT HEIGHT:
Vertical distance from the floor to the top of the forks with mast vertical, and in the case of reach trucks, with the forks extended.

EXTENDED HEIGHT OR TOTAL HEIGHT:
Vertical distance from the floor to the top of the uppermost structure of the truck (mast, carriage, load handler) in the highest position.

FORK EXTENSIONS:
Attachment that extends the load-carrying surface of the forks on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker. Extreme care must be given to realize that both the weight of the fork extensions and the increase in the center of gravity will decrease the effective load capacity.

FORKS:
Horizontal tine-like projections, normally suspended from the carriage for lifting loads. Typically made of high strength steel.

GRADABILITY:
The percent (%) of grade that a truck can ascend or descend.

GRADE:
Measure of the rate of ascent or descent of a ramp. It is calculated and is numerically equal to the vertical distance by the horizontal distance, multiplied by 100, and stated in percent (%).

LIFT SPEED:
Average speed in feet-per-minute when raising the load carriage (forks) on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker throughout its operating range, specified for empty and loaded conditions.

LOWERING SPEED:
Average speed in feet-per-minute when lowering the load carriage (forks) on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker throughout its operating range, specified for empty and loaded conditions.

MAST:
Support structure that provides vertical movement of the carriage on a forklift truck or pallet stacker. It is usually constructed out of C-Channel high strength steel uprights that provide a load path for the carriage rollers.

NARROW AISLE LIFT TRUCK:
An electric fork lift truck or pallet stacker that can operate in aisles smaller than counterbalanced or counterweight trucks, typically 8 to 10 feet clear.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA):
US Government agency which establishes and enforces standards to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Many states also have similar departments.

OVERALL WIDTH:
Width of fork lift truck, pallet stacker or pallet truck when measured in direction of fork width.

PALLET:
A structure usually built with wooden stringers, top and bottom decks with openings that allow pick up and transportation by a fork lift truck, pallet stacker, or pallet truck. Some pallets are also made from plastic.

SKID:
A load supporting structure, similar to a pallet with an open bottom.

STRADDLE LEG TRUCK:
A high-lift truck with a wide enough stabilization legs to straddle either side a pallet and lift the load.

STORAGE AISLE:
Aisle used to stack loads, materials or pallets.

THREE-STAGE MAST:
A fork lift truck or pallet stacker mast assembly comprised of one stationary main frame and two moving telescopic assembly. This type of mast allows for a higher lifting capability while maintaining a low minimum mast height.

TILT:
The ability to change the angle of the forks or the mast of a fork lift truck.

TWO-STAGE MAST:
A fork lift truck or pallet stacker mast assembly comprised of one stationary main frame and one moving telescopic assembly. This type of mast allows for a higher lifting capability while maintaining a low minimum mast height.

VERY NARROW AISLE LIFT TRUCK:
Forklift trucks and pallet stackers that can operate in clear aisles of approximately 5 feet.

WALKIE:
A category of fork lift trucks and pallet stackers controlled by a walking operator.

WALKIE RIDER:
Similar to a Walkie, but equipped for the operator to ride, typically on a rear platform.

WOW, Chapter 8 Is Named After Me

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.

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.

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.

Tell Me Again What A Drum Lift Is For.....

DRUM LIFTERS

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.

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.

Why Would I Use a DockPlate In My Warehouse?

DOCKPLATE

A dockplate is another name for the platform which stretches from the loading dock to the receiving truck or trailer where the goods will be placed for transport. Although only a few inches typically separate the height of the truck bed and the height of the loading dock, these few inches would create a significant increase in the amount of work involved in loading a vehicle, were it not for the use of a dockplate.

A typical truck height is 55 inches from ground to the bed of the truck or trailer. Refrigerated trucks will more commonly be 59”. If the height of the loading dock is 48”, the height differential is 7”. By using these calculations, you can determine the appropriate length for the dockplate. For instance, if using a pallet jack on the dockplate to transport the load, a 7 inch height differential would require a dockplate of 60 inches. If a fork truck is used to move the load, in this same example, a propane forklift would require a dock plate of 36 inches and a electric forklift would require a 48 inch length. The length differential is a function of the incline level and the power required to move the load up the incline. Obviously the propane forklift would have the most power available and so could climb a steeper slope.

Most manufacturers recommend using a dockboard rather than a dock plate when motorized loading equipment is used. The dockboard has side rails, or bumper rails to prevent the wheels of the loading equipment from slipping off the side of the platform.

The standard width of a dockplate will vary according to the width of the load or of the equipment. For instance, a standard pallet size is 48 inches. If moving the pallet with a pallet jack is the normal method, you would need a dockplate six inches wider than the pallet size or 54 inches. If using a motorized forklift, you would need a platform 6 inches wider than the width of the forklift wheelbase.

Added traction for the equipment and for the foot traffic using the dockplate is provided by etching, grooving or ridging of the platform surface. This makes the equipment more efficient and prevents costly and painful falls or slips.

A dockplate is commonly constructed of aluminum or steel, but sometimes a combination of the two is used. Steel is less expensive to manufacture but the finished product is heavier and more expensive to ship. A steel dock plate may require a forklift to move it into position. Aluminum costs more for the manufacturing process but costs less to ship and is much easier to move about on the loading dock. A common practice is to construction the frame of the dock plate from steel and use a platform made of aluminum plate.

A key feature of any dockplate is the ability to use the safety legs and the security fastenings to make sure the equipment doesn’t slip out of place while in use.

When Should You Buy an Electric Drive Pallet Stacker Forklift or a Manual Drive

I get asked all of the time whether someone should buy and electrically drives or self propelled pallet stacker forklift or a manual drive (push) model.

My first reaction is - how should I know?

Manual drive models are of course less expensive, usually ~40% cheaper than a fully powered model, require less maintenance, and are more reliable - these are all good things for working in a warehouse. A manual drive model is a good choice for:

• small warehouse (under 5000 square feet)
• warehouses with smooth concrete floors
• used for lifting pallets onto racks or off of trucks as opposed to moving pallets
• operators who are average to above size

Keep in mind - an average manual pallet stacker weighs in at 1200-1400 pounds vs 200 pounds for a pallet jack. So it is obviously going to be harder to move a pallet stacker than a pallet jack. Add on a 1500 pound pallet and you are now moving 3000 pounds (the weight of a small car).

An electrically driven pallet stacker forklift is a good choice for:

• larger warehouses
• anytime you are planning to take the stacker out into a parking lot which might have dirt, pebbles, cracks to obstruct the wheels
• going up or down ANY incline

An electrically driven pallet stacker is EASY to move. Many models will have a speed control operated by a thumb switch that allows you to precisely set the forward or reverse speed.

Advantages of Using a Pallet Stacker Lift Truck as Opposed to a Forklift

There are many advantages to using a pallet stacker lift truck as opposed to a forklift in smaller warehouses.

• A pallet stacker is smaller which means your warehouse can have smaller and narrower aisles.
• Pallet stackers are almost always electrically powered instead of propane or gas. This means they are friendlier to the environment and quieter.
• A forklift typically requires on-going training and licensing per OSHA and state authorities whereas a pallet stacker rarely does.
• The cost of buying a pallet stacker is usually lower, including lower shipping costs.

The most important questions you have to ask yourself is who much weight will you be lifting, how high and how often?

Pallet stackers will probably be the preferred solution for smaller warehouses where you will be lifting up to 3000 pounds to a height of no more than 15 feet. If your pallets are heavier and your racking higher, than you should probably buy a forklift.

What is the difference between a Forklift and a Pallet Stacker

I get asked this question all of the time...my business has "forklift" in the name, but I don't sell any forklifts.....

Ok, here is the story. Several years ago, I needed a way to lift heavy pallets onto pallet racking so I went out and looked for a forklift. What did I know, I never worked in a warehouse or on a dock before. I called the local Crown and Hyster dealers and asked questions about buying a forklift. All I wanted was to lift a 2000 pound pallet to a height of 10 feet. The dealers were quoting me prices of $10,000, $20,000 and even $30,000 for a forklift.....I passed out. That was more money than I started my first business with.

Well it turned out, I was asking for the wrong piece of material handling equipment, I really wanted a pallet stacker. I wouldn't know the difference if I tripped over these.

I looked at several material handling association websites, OSHA, and manufacturers, but I couldn't find any real definitions. So I made my own up.

• A forklift (sometimes incorrectly spelled as fork lift) is a lift truck used in warehouses, factories and loading docks which the operator sits down and drives. They are typically powered by either gasoline, diesel, propane or electricity.

• A pallet stacker is also a lift truck with many of the same uses as a forklift, but the operator walks behind or rides on a platform while standing up.

In a few days, I'll write about the advantages and disadvantages of each of these pieces of equipment.

More Material Handling Equipment Inbound

I'm getting excited, our first shipment of pallet lift trucks, stackers, forklifts and dock plates are on their way to our Chicago warehouse.

Also in this shipment is our new model of a digital floor scale. On my last trip to Asia, I found what is probably the most sophisticated manufacturer of load cells and have contracted with them to design and develop a new heavy duty digital floor scale for weighing pallets up to 5,000 pounds.

Sales were very strong at the end of last year, so our inventories are low. These two containers will help a lot.

Ok, so this isn't the most interesting topic in the world.......unless if this is how you make a living and feed your family.

Yes, I own a growing manufacturer of electric pallet stacker forklifts and other material handling equipment. I started the business several years ago after I had a need for a walkie pallet stacker. I looked at both new and used forklifts, pallet lift trucks and stackers, but I was shocked at the prices of the equipment. So I started LiftScience Brand Material Handling Equipment and an now the fastest growing brand of material handling equipment in the US.

So I sold a model P10030 Electric Walkie Pallet Stacker and our new JPL Hi-Lo Pallet Lift Truck today to a company in Florida. It was the same old story, they looked at some other brands and practically passed out at the prices. They found LiftScience after searching on Google and now their newly purchased equipment is on its way.