The Importance of a Proper Site Survey

Whether you’re looking to purchase your first forklift or simply replacing old, worn out equipment, it is critical to conduct a proper site survey.  Even if you think you’re certain of your options and only want to replace the equipment you already have, a proper site survey and assessment by a reputable dealer is well worth the time prior to purchase.  This is because a site survey offers a chance to double-check your measurements, review your application, and consider the possibilities offered by new technologies with potential to increase efficiency and capacity while minimizing safety risks and costs.

Double-checking Measurements:

To determine the optimal equipment selection for your business and facility, the inspector will pay close attention to the physical characteristics of the space itself.  Among the primary objectives of a site survey is to verify that all of the listed load and height requirements are accurate and consistent with expectations.  Known as the “four by three” rule, a reputable dealer will closely measure the three dimensions (length, width and height) of four key areas: doors, aisles, pallets and racking/storage space.  Since it is unlikely you’ll find consistent measurements throughout the facility, it’s important to measure all aisles and doors individually as a difference as little as 1-inch (2.2 cm) can present a serious safety issue down the line. 

Next, the inspector should determine what kind and size of pallets in use, any overhanging loads, the distance travelled between loads, and the total weight and height requires of the loads.  Since lifting capacity is based on a 24-inch load center and is exponentially down rated as height increases, inaccurate measurements may result in insufficient lift capacity at a given load centre or lift height. 

Reviewing Your Application

After establishing the physical requirements, the next step is a careful consideration of your application and usage environment.  Here, the site surveyor will assess a number of factors that combine to determine the type of equipment that’s best suited for your application.  Depending on the load frequency and distance travelled, for example, a reputable dealer will recommend either a walk behind or ride-on model to optimize between production and costs.  Engine type and power source is another key consideration that largely depends on the characteristics of your application.  For indoor or combined indoor-outdoor applications, emission-free electric models are used.  For applications that take place outdoors or in facilities with adequate ventilation, internal combustion models are generally preferred. 

New Technologies

Finally, a proper site assessment may present you with the opportunity to improve your productivity and efficiency with the addition of new technologies or equipment approaches.  Here, you may be able to reduce the number of lift trucks you require by purchasing a new type of unit, reduce your reliance on additional batteries with opportunity charging or eliminate some manual labor with the addition of a specialized attachment. 

As you can see, a proper site survey from a reputable dealer offers a number of benefits including improved efficiency, reduced costs and removing potential safety hazards.  So, if you’re in the market for a new piece of material handling equipment, reach out to your local Stärke dealer today! 

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www.starkeforklift.com

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

Key Questions to Ask When Purchasing Material Handling Equipment

Selecting the right forklift or lift truck for your business is a complicated process that requires more than a simple comparison of models, specifications and/or prices.  The appropriate fit depends upon the application and environment in which the lift truck will operate, so it’s important to carefully consider the unique needs of your business, the details of the application and the work environment. When properly selected, a forklift or lift truck is capable of increasing productivity, throughput and storage efficiency, as well as lowering overall operating costs.  So, with that in mind, let’s consider 3 areas of importance for selecting the right forklift or lift truck for your business:

1. Work Environment

The situational conditions of your work environment are key determining factors when it comes to selecting an appropriate lift truck as the surface of your floors, location and layout will all influence model selection, especially in regards to vehicle fuel and tire type.  Is the surface of your floor smooth or rough?  Is it littered with debris?  Will the vehicle operate indoors, outdoors or a combination of the two?  What are the dimensions of your aisles, shelving, entrances and ceilings?  Is your building equipped to filter out additional internal combustion emissions? 

2. Application

Within each category of lift truck, whether its forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, dock stockers, straddle stackers or pallet trucks, there are a variety of configurations and subtypes, each of which are suited to specific tasks and applications.  To determine what model type best suits your business, be sure to consider load composition (solid or liquid), load dimensions (length, width, height, shape and weight), pallet and container types (standard, short or long pallets, bottomless pallets or bins, drums, etc.) and the distance traveled between loads.   

3. Operating Costs

The cost of purchasing a lift truck go well beyond the purchase price, so it’s important to consider the total cost of ownership, which refers to sum of all the expected expenses over the lifetime of the equipment.  A variety of factors influence a given model’s total cost of ownership including the purchase price, financing fees, fuel costs, overall productivity, the frequency and cost of regular service and maintenance, and the possibility for unexpected repairs and downtime.  

One way of determining a model’s total cost of ownership is to calculate its CPM or its cost per pallet moved, which offers insight into the relative value of each model while controlling for differences between facilities.  To calculate the CPM, divide the daily operating costs by the number of pallets an operator is capable of transporting per shift with a given piece of equipment.  An alternate method of cost calculation involves calculating adding up the total cost of operating the equipment and dividing it by the total hours used to determine the cost per hour.  

As you can see, it's extremely important to find a competent dealer with the knowledge and experience needed to appropriately answer all of these questions.  For help finding a Stärke dealership near you, please visit Stärke's find a dealer page today!

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www.starkeforklift.com

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

Essential Tips for Material Handling Equipment Purchases

Think about the last time you experienced buyer’s remorse following a large purchase or investment. Is there anything you could have done differently? What if you made a different selection or used another vendor? More likely than not, this situation could have been avoided, as in most cases, the difference between self-pity and admiration is a matter of knowledge, research and experience. With that in mind, let’s review some of the key factors businesses must consider before purchasing a new piece of material handling equipment.

Equipment Selection and Fit 

When it comes to equipment selection, begin the process with a careful consideration of your needs, application, and work environment. Here, it's important to be as specific and details as possible given the variety of lift types and the potential variations between models. Among the factors to consider when deciding between models and types are potential height and width restrictions, whether it is an indoor, outdoor, or mixed application, the frequency of lifts and required capacity.

Overall Cost of Ownership 

With prices ranging from several thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, purchasing a new piece of equipment is a serious investment. Beyond the retail price of the equipment, owners must also consider the overall cost of ownership over the lifetime of the equipment. Fortunately, most dealers will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of your expected costs down the road.

To make sure you have all the financial information you`ll need to make your decision, ask your dealer for information on the following questions: How much will it cost to maintain and operate the desired model per year? Here, factors such as wearable parts, durability and fuel costs are important to consider and vary widely from model to model and brand to brand. Are parts widely available and reasonably priced? Special order parts or delays in shipping may prove prohibitive to your business leading to expense overtures and unnecessary downtime. Will you be able to service the unit on-site? How extensive is the warranty? What kind of financing or lease options are available?

After Sale Support and Technical Assistance 

If properly maintained, an individual forklift may remain operational for up to 20 years after its original purchase, it is essential to consider the after sale support network for a given brand and dealership. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the warranty and service agreement from the manufacturer and ask if additional training is necessary to operate the equipment (and if the dealership will provide it for you). It is also a good idea to find a local dealership that offers a wide selection of accessories, parts, and maintenance in case you should need to make any additional repairs or modifications in the future the future.

www.starkeforklift.com   

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