Multi Directional Forklift Santa Clarita

Used Side Loader Forklift Santa Clarita - Side loader forklifts are ideal for lifting long and heavy materials in narrow locations such as warehouse aisles, loading docks, lumber yards, etc. These forklifts are given their name by the way in which they load, and unload, material - from the side of the forklift rather than from the front, as with standard forklifts. Benefits of Side Loader Forklifts v Standard Forklifts Forklifts that rely on the original counterbalance system can become unstable when moving long or heavy loads. However, the side loader forklift is specially designed to handle these types of loads, such as long pipes and raw timber, providing much more stability. Having the load face the direction of travel ensures that timber and steel can be easier to maneuver. Side loaders offer a safer, unobstructed view for the operator which is a greater improvement over the standard forklift with its front-carrying design and the fork tines. Since the loads are transported along the side of the forklift instead of across the front, the side loader can travel easier through narrow aisles and doorways. The load may have to be lowered or raised to get past obstacles that can increase the chances of destabilizing and cause dangerous tip-overs. Side loaders eliminate the need for much of that maneuvering. These units help warehouse locations to manage smaller spaces much more safely. Most side loaders are able to lift up to 12,000 pounds and can travel at speeds just above 5 miles per hour but are often equipped with the ability to program travel speeds. Programmable travel speeds are useful for allowing operators to match speed for particular jobs. Types of Side Loader Forklifts Class 2 - Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks Side loader forklifts are within the Class 2 Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks. This kind of forklift classification covers electrically sourced narrow aisle forklifts. The side loader is useful for handling long and narrow loads in similar locations including lumber, carpet and laminate. They are also suited for rack storage and feeding machine tools. The narrow aisle units are popular in warehouses as they offer a sleek design that saves on storage. These units are efficient at loading and unloading. Class 2 side loader forklifts have been designed to take up less space by the forklift truck. This design facilitates better speed and efficiency for moving, loading and unloading aisles. Dangerous internal combustion emissions are eliminated due to their electrical power use, making side loaders excellent for interior applications. Internal Combustion Engine Side Loader Forklifts The Class 2 forklifts only apply to side loaders that use electric power. Units that do not rely on electricity do not fall into this category. The side loader design is popular for outdoor use as well in places such as timber and lumber yards, steel and pipe producers and many other similar job sites that require long, heavy loads to be transported to and from storage areas, such as racking, or stacking loads in blocks, or offloading from flatbeds. These machines that are used outside have to deal with uneven ground and different temperatures. There are internal combustion models available and they may use pneumatic tires for more stable transport. Side loaders are great for these work environments as they are built to handle the length of items and the weight. Picking items up in the middle is vital for loading and unloading long materials safely and efficiently. Side Loader Forklift Design The side loader forklift comes in two basic designs: 1. Stand on; and 2. Sit down. Stand On Side Loader Forklifts Used mostly indoors in applications such as warehouses, the stand on end control has a small platform area surrounded by the forklift’s controls, usually located in the middle of the truck, for the operator to stand. There are several advantages to this design. Stand-on side loaders don’t have an operator seat, allowing for a more streamlined cab design. A forklift operating with a smaller footprint is excellent for working in high-traffic locations. There is better visibility for the operator when working in a standing position, particularly while operating the machine backward. In the stand up position, an operator can turn his whole body to view the rear of the truck when reversing direction whereas in a sit down position the operator must twist his back and neck to get a clear view behind. This is clearly an advantage in terms of safety as well as comfort. Increased operator visibility also helps to decrease damage to products and facilities. Operators can get onto and off of the stand up forklift faster compared to a sit-down model and this may increase efficiency in certain situations. Sit Down Side Loader Forklifts Sit-down loaders are more popular than standing loaders. Similar to the side loader stand, the sit-down unit features a centrally located cab. Sit-down forklifts have a raised platform and a seat that faces the control panel of the machine. The sit-down units boast better operator comfort. The operator is able to control the forklift from a resting position which decreases operator fatigue which increases productivity. Customizable Features Customizable bed lengths are a feature and benefit of side loader forklifts. Popular for heavy and bulky items, the standard side loader has been designed to fit heavy and bulky loads. A sixty-inch extension upwards may be utilized for special jobs. A side loader cannot be customized before bed length considerations are given to ensure that guide rails and aisle widths can accommodate. These machines can function in a multidirectional manner. Crab steering on side loaders refers to having two wheels function independently from the other wheels. This feature allows the side loader to move in all four directions by changing the direction of the wheels, allowing the forklift to move sideways into narrow storage aisles without making large, swing-out turns or multiple adjustments. Safety is increased with the tighter turning radius and damage is avoided to facilities and items. It also increases efficiency by lessening the time and space needed to maneuver around the job site. Several other features on side loader forklifts are often customized based on jobsite application. Lift mast heights, lights, mirrors, lift capacities and tine length and other features are all customizable. Certain features are also adjustable, allowing for further customization of the side loader for the particular job application. Travel speed, acceleration time, load limits and breaking force can all be set allowing further job efficiency and increased workplace safety. For all of the above reason, the side loader forklift has become the most popular option for workplaces where space is limited and long loads are involved. Multi Directional Forklift PDF