What Warehouse Equipment Do I Need?
A warehouse is the hub of commerce, facilitating the shipments of food, electronics, clothing, furniture and other goods and merchandise. Warehouses vary is size to meet their shipping needs. Some are the size of a home garage while other are thousands of square feet. Because warehouses differ is size and function warehouse equipment differs too.
Freight and equipment are heavy and bulky and should be moved around with equipment built for warehouse operations. Hand trucks work well for smaller warehouses, while larger warehousing operations require pallet jacks and motorized material lift/transporters.
There are accessories that are available to expedite warehousing operations, like gravity conveyors for transporting boxes to the loading docks, or box cutters for speedy box opening, and anti-fatigue mats that help reduce stress on workers feet. These accessories and many others are available to aid warehousemen.
Efficiency is the order of the day in any warehouse. Operations must run smoothly because customers, retailers and others rely on warehouse staff to get them their merchandise, freight and equipment on-time. An efficient operation means increased productivity, which translates to increased profits. This guide will provide you with information on warehousing equipment and accessories that will enhance your operations.
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What to consider when selecting warehouse equipment.
Is space an issue?
Space should be one of the first considerations when purchasing warehouse equipment. Why purchase a piece of warehouse equipment and have nowhere to put it. Always verify the dimensions of the equipment to confirm that it will fit.
What kind of pallet jack do I need?
Pallet jacks functions differ based on the type of jack. Manual jacks require more physical effort, yet others are almost entirely mechanized and perform the same functions. Manual pallet jacks tend to be less expensive but take more time to operate. Consequently, mechanized pallet jacks are recommended for larger warehouses. There are also pallet jacks that are designed to move, raise and lower pallets. Customer service representative are available to answer specific questions.
Do I need to purchase any warehouse accessories?
Some warehouse accessories, such as box cutters, are an absolute necessity, whereas others, like anti-fatigue mats, are more of a convenience. Back support braces help prevent back injuries. People positioners and gravity conveyors are useful for increasing the speed and productivity of warehouse operations.
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What are the choices of warehouse equipment?
Pallet Jacks / Lifters
Trans-Positioners / Transporters
Trans-positioners quickly load and offload pallets of freight off trailers to different locations of the warehouse. Their lift is higher enabling the operator to move pallets from the dock to raised storage shelves. They are heavy-duty machines, some having a 3,000-pound weight capacity. They are also handy for loading and offloading freight.
Lifter Transporters
A lifter transporter resembles a trans-postioner but is designed for only a 440-pound load capacity. Lifter transporters take up less space which makes them perfect for small to mid-size warehouses.
Trans-Stacker / Transporter
Transporter/stackers are perfect for large warehouses with multi leveled shelf storage. High-end transporter/stackers have a 3,000-pound weight capacity, making them ideal for transferring freight from floor-to-shelf or shelf-to-shelf.
Unit Lifter / Transporter
Pallet lifters and transporters are a necessity for anyway sized warehouse. They are designed to handle a 3,300-pound freight load, holding merchandise stable while raising and lowering open-bottom pallets on/off shelves.
Container Tilters
Container tilters will easily hold heavy containers in workable positions. The tilting function works well with barrels, drums, and other cylindrical containers. These lifters are designed to roll under containers making machine feeding or loading/offloading easier.
Pallet Truck
Pallet jacks are a staple for any warehouse or stockroom. Pallet jacks quickly move pallets of freight between locations. The forks slide under the pallet slots and then elevate the freight of the ground for easy rolling.
Hand Truck
Hand trucks are simple and effective ways to move small loads. They are small enough to fit in tight spaces where pallet jacks and other lifts can’t reach.
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Shrink Wrap Equipment
Shrink wrap is used by warehouses and stockrooms for packaging purposes. Shrink wrap machines package and secure multiple products together with a transparent film that compresses down when heated. Shrink wrap machines are available in several different formats, including single bar units to L-bar tunnel models. Check out shrink wrap guide to learn more about shrink wrap machines and products.
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Gravity Conveyors
Gravity conveyors use a combination of roller wheels and bearings to transfer boxes and shipments between areas. The conveyors are adjustable for length and shape to meet your needs. They are a must have for loading docks. Workers can send a continuous stream of boxes down the conveyor for shipping.
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Warehouse Accessories
People Positioners
Workers can easily move from shelf to shelf while remaining seated saving time and reducing back stress. The wheeled stools are adjustable to fit the occupant. They are great for working with products on lower shelves.
Back Support Belts
Back support belts are a necessity for any stockroom or warehouse. Back belts come in different styles and materials and are made to fit people of all sizes. Back support belts reduce back injuries by adding support to the lower back and improving posture while lifting heavy objects.
Shipping Scales
Shipping scales are another necessary piece of warehouse equipment. It’s important for your products to be properly weighed. Our selection of precision shipping scales is perfect for any location and will measure weights to the nearest gram.
Wet Floor Signs
Workplace safety is a top priority in all warehouses, sales floors and stockrooms. Wet floor signs are important for marking potential safety hazards. Our spring loaded wet floor / piso mojado signs are attention getting and reduce liability exposure when used properly.
Tape Dispensers
Tape dispensers are a handy tool for any warehouse worker. Workers use dispensers to quickly tape boxes shut. The handle has an ergonomic design to fit the palm of a hand for a secure hold.
Cutting Knives
Cutting knives have razor sharp blades for precision box opening. Most blades easily slice through cardboard and packaging tape, making it easy for freight throwing, re-package equipment or shelf stocking.
Anti-Fatigue Mat
Standing for hours while moving and packaging products can take its toll on warehouse worker’s feet and joints. Anti-fatigue mats are made of a sponge-like material that absorbs the impact of force and gravity inflicted on feet and joints. These mats will relieve worker pain and fatigue allowing them to work longer and increase productivity.
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