Fallsway Equipment Company is proud to announce that we have partnered with Rightline Equipment Inc. We are now an authorized distributor of Rightline forklift attachments in Akron, Canton, Youngstown and surrounding areas. Continue reading
What to Know When Buying Forklift Tires
Today, fleet owners are offered a large variety of types, sizes, and application-specific lift trucks that serve a specific purpose. Equipment choice ultimately factors into the overall throughput, efficiency, and safety of the operation. When it comes down to it, the choice of tires for the forklift can be one of the most influential factors in efficiency and operating costs for that machine at the application. Here are some of the key points when picking the right forklift tires:
Cushion or Pneumatic Forklift Tires?
The type of tires your forklift has been specifically designed for the surface that the machine will be operating most efficiently on, so choosing the right tire will impact your machine’s maximum performance.
- Cushion Forklift Tires
These forklift tires should only be operated on smooth concrete surfaces, most commonly at indoor working facilities, and are typically smaller than comparable capacity pneumatic models. - Pneumatic Forklift Tires
Forklift with pneumatic tires can work indoors and on outdoor surfaces like blacktop, stone, or dirt, but not on rough terrains like fields or severely unsurfaced lots. These tires have a wider versatility of where they can be operated on, thus giving them higher resale value.
Tire Tread & Profile Style
Not only are there different types of forklift tires, but there are also different treads and profile styles you can get with your forklift. Depending on the application it is driven on, the terrain will affect the tread or profile style you may need. Available options include:
- Smooth Tires – Typically for dry indoor applications and all steer axles.
- Traction Tires – A general-purpose use in a wide variety of forklift applications.
- Grooved Tires – Designed for larger-capacity trucks where loads and operating conditions are extreme.
- Wide-Track Traction Tires – All-season indoor or outdoor use forklift tire.
The quality and consistency of material are also major factors when determining tire performance. If you want your tires to last longer and perform better, determine the correct tread and profile style for maximum efficiency.
For help with selecting the right forklift tires for your application, contact us at 330-633-6000.
Originally published 7/20/2018
Updated 5/21/2019
Jungheinrich EKM: Small Parts Order Picker
Designed to be an alternative to a traditional ladder, the new Jungheinrich EKM 202 small parts order picker is a must-have. This forklift is typically used in applications that require order picking without a pallet, light maintenance, or retail outlets. But what makes the EKM unique to other Jungheinrich order pickers?
Ergonomics:
This Jungheinrich EKM 202 is equipped with many features that benefit the operator’s comfort and safety. The EKM comes with a generous workstation that provides the operator comfort while driving and standing sideways to remove goods. The stand-on platform can be freely selected with the equipped sensor mat on the floor, providing maximum mobility in the workstation area. There is also an easy-to-use travel switch located on the right handles thumb position. While operating the EKM small order picker, the operator will feel safe and comfortable.
Productivity:
To make your job easier while operating, the EKM comes with a variety of options. The AC drive has a max speed of 5 mph to get you between jobs faster. It comes with two sorts of trays, a lower and upper tray for added storage and working space. Additionally, with the maintenance-free, 192-amp-hour battery, you’ll experience less downtime and more usage out of your machine. And when you run out of battery, connect the onboard charger to the closest wall outlet for an easy charge.
Awareness:
The Jungheinrich EKM has many factors that increase the operator’s awareness while on the job. The sturdy mast gives the order picker added stability even at max heights. The operator can feel safe in the compartment with automatic closing doors so the operator can only lift the platform when closed. Another great feature with this forklift is the adjustable storage tray that can add extra visibility and additional comfort while at elevated heights.
Updated 5/23/2019
Protect Your Forklift: Covers, Options, and Benefits
Your forklifts are investments, and it is important to protect these investments from inclement weather and everyday wear and tear. Some of the popular options include forklift seat covers, forklift cab covers, and covers that attach to forks. Check out some of the inexpensive options below:
Seat Covers:
It may sound simple, but adding a seat cover to your forklift will help protect it from wear and tear. Over time, seats exposed to water or the sun tend to crack and would eventually need replacing to keep your operators comfortable. The cost for a replacement seat over a seat cover is pennies to dollars and the simple investment can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of downtime. Typically seat covers are a nylon fabric that stretches over the seat for a simple and secure fit to your existing seat, providing more life to your seats and an extra layer of comfort.
Fork Covers:
Forklift forks get used for the most part and receive the heaviest damage during normal use. A way to help cut the cost of replacement forks are fork covers or sometimes called “fork socks”. Fork covers made of a heavy-duty nylon webbing made to cut scratches or damage from picking up loads. These covers are simple to install with connectors and offer a huge financial benefit when it comes to protecting the life of your forks.
Cab Covers:
Forklift cabs are hard to protect from things like dust, rain, or falling debris. Forklift cab covers can add a layer of protection to your forklift to cut those listed above. Cab covers are a plastic or vinyl material that is capable to oppose weather and other debris. With various sizes, depending on the forklift, these covers are simple to install. If you do various jobs in wet conditions, some covers come with a domed roof with channels and gutters to divert water. These covers can also be tinted for those who spend a large part of the day in the sun, which can offer UV protection to your drivers.
Forklift covers are a great way to protect your equipment. For more information contact one of our experts about these inexpensive covers!
Choosing The Right Forklift
There are many factors to consider when choosing the correct forklift for your warehouse. Some factors include frequency of loads, maneuvering space, and duties of the operators. Your current forklift selection process may be working now, but you could be missing out on a more efficient way of moving materials or goods in your warehouse. There could be a model that can reduce the fatigue of the operator, load trailers in a cost-effective way, or allow your operators to get more done.
Below are three factors to consider when deciding on a lift truck model:
1. How Often Are You Loading Trailers:
If your shipping department only loads a few semi-trailers or box trucks a week, consider using an electric walkie or walkie end-rider if:
-
Jungheinrich EJE Electric Walkie Pallet Jack
the load capacity is between 3,000 and 8,000 lb.
- loads are not stacked vertically inside trailers
- there are no sensitive loads to handle. The transition from the dock floor, dock leveler, and into the trailer can be harsh to riders. If the transition is smooth then a smaller load wheel, like the electric walkie or end-riders can be ideal for traveling over dock plates.
Now, if you are constantly loading trailers, a stand-up end control forklift may be ideal over a walkie. These lift trucks can easily fit into standard trailer doors and their masts allow for stacking if needed. Capacities can range between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs.
2. What Type of Space Are You Working With:
Cat Electric Three-Wheel Forklift
Some warehouses have lots of room for operators to maneuver in and out of aisles with. Others may be filled to max capacity and have limited space for larger equipment. This may call for a three-wheel electric forklift to perform smoother in tighter turning radius areas.
If space is not a concern, choosing between a three or four-wheel forklift should be based on:
- what the operator prefers.
- the capacity required to move the product or materials – three-wheel electric trucks max out at 4,000 lbs, so if you are lifting more, you will need a four-wheel model.
3. What Are The Operators Duties:
Jungheinrich ETG Stand-Up End Control Forklift
An important factor to consider before choosing a forklift is what are the duties each operator has when moving materials. Are they not only loading trucks in shipping but are they also replenishing lines, storing inventory on racks, delivering paperwork, scanning barcodes, etc.. They can be constantly getting on and off lift trucks, which can cause major fatigue, and you should consider a stand-up option for easy access.
While in other applications, drivers may be on the machine for seven or eight hours a day. Loading and unloading fairly similar load types constantly, so they don’t have to mess with paperwork or adjust for different loads. This application may call for a sit-down counterbalance truck with add comfort to improve their efficiency during the workday.
Need help finding the right forklift for your application? Contact one of our experienced account managers to help you choose the best lift truck solution for your business. Contact us at 330-633-6000!
Jungheinrich ETR: Pantographic Reach Trucks
The Jungheinrich ETR: Pantographic Reach Truck is a leading industry stand-up end control reach truck, built for longer run times and excellent stability for exceptional operator confidence. The ETR series combines Jungheinrich’s technological advances and design to guarantee these reach trucks are energy efficient, dynamic in accuracy and control for outstanding productivity for your business.
AC Technology: No competition:
It’s no secret… Jungheinrich has set the industry standard with their advances in 3-phase AC technology. They have continued to improve and perfect this technology over the past 20 years. This advance in technology has been integrated into each one of the new reach trucks, delivering:
- Lower energy consumption.
- Longer run times (2 Shifts 1 Charge).
- Powerful acceleration.
- Lift speeds up to 160 feet per minute.
- Excellent energy management.
- A quick change in direction of travel without delay.
Speed, Precision, and Handling: Results in Performance:
Moving more pallets quickly is what every operator and business owner wants right? With the technological advances in the ETR reach trucks, precisely handle pallets with confident stability – even at high lifting heights. The intuitive control handle and security features provide operators with greater productivity through their shifts. Top benefits with the ETR include:
Intuitive operator controls.
- Added security like:
- Automatic speed reduction or curveCONTROL.
- Steer with control.
- Automatic parking brake.
- Three programmable performance levels.
- Customized for max performance in your business.
Reaching New Heights:
The ETR reach truck delivers industry-leading performance with its unmatched high lift height stability. Keep your operator feeling confident, while reducing the risk of costly product damages. Some of the top benefits include:
Superior stability with:
- Baselegs welded to chassis.
- Dual-articulating load wheels.
- The advanced mast for increase load stability.
- Informative display monitor.
- Operator compartment comfort includes:
- Soft rubber back, arm, and knee cushions.
- Ergo-cushioned floor.
- Low entry step.
- Enhanced visibility through the compartment.
Jungheinrich ETR pantographic reach trucks are leading the industry in performance and efficiency that your business demands. For more information about these innovative forklifts, contact us to speak to our Jungheinrich specialists.
AGV: The Evolving Material Handling Industry at a Glance
The material handling industry is evolving with new technology every day. Companies are finding new ways to move products at efficient rates, saving both time and money. AGV’s or Automated guided vehicles are forklifts that do not require an operator to function. The goal of an automated solution is to improve your operations warehousing efficiency and thus increasing profitability while reducing the overall costs.
Why choose AGV’s?
- Operators are eliminated, along with the error that comes with them. There are no damages to customer products, buildings, or machinery, thus saving costs on replacing misuse and abuse.
- The increase in warehouse safety will dramatically increase safety records.
- Reliably work 24/7 in critical 3 shift operations. Sleep easy at night knowing that your warehouse is still hard at work!
- Every AGV’s path is traceable, thus being able to identify product movement in your warehouse.
- They have a low life-cycle cost.
- Dramatically reduce operation and maintenance costs from hefty repair bills on machines
Traditionally automation projects have been expensive, slow, or inflexible to implement, but technology has been changing and developing to make the futuristic warehouse more of a reality. With the help of our experts, we can design a warehouse capable of full automation with various units all working in sync towards one common goal, efficiency. Automation can show impressive cost savings to the warehouse, especially in areas that your employee is handling longer load transfers. It will save employees for other tasks around the warehouse instead of cookie cutter, routine tasks automation can handle.
Take reliability and efficiency to the next level with AGV’s. They are a durable, flexible, and modular solution that will deliver a short ROI. The technology has been around for decades and has been proven to work in various applications.
For more information contact us at 330-633-6000 to speak with a material handling expert.