Accident Report: Electric Pallet Jack Vs. Transport Truck Near Atlanta, GA

The incident occurred when an electric pallet jack was being relocated in a 52’ transport truck trailer by a local beer distributor near Atlanta, Georgia in September of 2016.  At one point during the trip, the truck’s driver was forced to come to complete stop to avoid an accident with another vehicle. 

As the transport truck came to a sudden stop, the Stärke LiftMaxx PT45WAX electric pallet truck maintained its velocity and flew towards the front of the transport truck at 65mph.  The PT45 generated enough force it completely removed the nose of the trailer from both the floor and roof.  The damage to the trailer was severe and would likely be written off.

Uncertain about the condition of the PT45, the customer called their local Stärke Material Handling authorized dealer, Lanier Lift, a local Stärke dealership based out of Buford, GA to service the unit and conduct a post-accident inspection.  According to Brian Harmon, customer service representative at Lanier Lift, and a former lift mechanic with decades of experience, the Stärke LiftMaxx PT45WAX was able to go back to the distributor the same day despite experiencing what amounted to a fall from a four story building.  In fact, the damage to the PT45WAX was entirely cosmetic, amounting to a small crack in the rear cover and some minor scratches to the paint.

“Try that with any other pallet jack… ANY other pallet jack and it would be completely destroyed!  All this unit required was a new cover and some paint – nothing to it.  Now that is true quality!” explained Brian Harmon.

This incident demonstrates that Stärke equipment is designed and manufactured to provide high quality and durable equipment for even the toughest applications.  This is particularly the case with the PT45WAX, which utilizes durable metal parts for the essential components (unlike the lower quality plastic parts used by many competitors), a rugged steel frame, corrosion-resistant Zinc Dichromate fittings, and Stärke system of “constant stability”.  For more information or to demo a unit for yourself, please visit Stärke online or find a local dealer near you!

For more information or to demo a unit for yourself, please visit us online or find a local dealer near you!

www.starkeforklift.com

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352

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Narrow Aisle Operations

Selecting a lift truck is a complicated and intensive process. With an overwhelming number of models and optional features, it is important to carefully consider what unit is best suited to your needs and material handling application. This process can be particularly difficult in warehousing and logistics, where lift trucks must not only perform all the necessary tasks, but also conform to the aisle widths and racking configuration as well. 

While standard warehouse operations generally accommodate most 3,000 – 5,000 lb. counterbalance forklifts, it is a mistake to assume that these models are suited for all warehousing applications. One of the primary concerns here is the turning radius of the forklift in relation to the width of the facilities aisles.  The minimum width required for most sit down counterbalanced forklift models, for example, is eleven (11) feet (although the exact width required for each model depend on its overall dimensions, turning radius and load sizes). 

In narrow aisle operations, where aisles typically range from six (6) to ten (10) feet in width, counterbalanced forklifts are often replaced with specialized vehicles like walkie and rider reach trucks. By replacing the large counterbalance weight found in standard forklifts with compact outriggers, which reduces the size of the unit and increases its maneuverability, reach trucks are uniquely suited to narrow aisle operations.

Since reach trucks must compensate for the added distance between the racking system and the truck caused by the stabilizing outriggers, reach trucks utilize a telescoping arm that extends to reach the storage racking. Depending on the depth of the storage system, reach trucks are available in either a standard single reach model, or as a double reach model to accommodate two pallet deep storage options.

At Stärke, our LiftMaxx line of reach trucks is available with a wide variety of options and features designed to meet a range of applications. For low volume applications, Stärke offers a line of 3,000 lb. walkie reach trucks in single or double reach model with maximum lift heights of up to 217”. For high volume operations, Stärke also offers a rider reach truck from 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. in capacity. Available with either a 2-stage or a 3-stage mast, Stärke’s rider reach truck is capable of lift heights from 118” to 255”.

For more information on narrow aisle operations or our series of reach trucks, please check out our product video on YouTube or visit us online at www.starkecanada.com or www.starkeusa.com. Alternatively, you may contact us via email at info@starkeforklift.com or on our toll free line at 1-877-435-4352. Stärke Material Handling Group... Stärke is Strength.

www.starkecanada.com | www.starkeusa.com   

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352