Ask the Expert

This rain cap helps protect the operator from wet, cold weather.

Winter in Canada is a reality we all have to face every year.  Granted, those of us who live on the west coast have to handle different conditions than our friends in central or eastern Canada, but it’s still wonder nonetheless!   Thousands of forklifts operate outdoors in Canada every year, loading and unloading trucks and handling goods.  Affected by the snow and wet weather, how can businesses prepare themselves to make sure that the forklifts, critical to their business operation, run safely, reliably and smoothly?

Here are some tips: 

1) Correct truck specifications
Ensure that your forklifts are specified correctly with the right tires and are properly maintained and serviced to operate in cold, wet weather.  This should be an important priority as getting this wrong could lead to downtime which will negatively affect your output.

2) Driver training
Health and safety should be a high priority for material handling operations.  Forklifts, like other vehicles, need special attention in winter conditions to guarantee they’ll perform safely. Just like your car, the condition of your forklift tires is of particular importance in wet or icy conditions.  These tires affect traction and stability of both the truck and load. It’s important to train your staff to conduct daily checks and make regular servicing of vital components such as electrical systems, hydraulics and batteries a priority.  

3) Housekeeping
Ice or rain may create slippery surfaces both outdoors or on loading bays.  Forklift operators should be trained to be more cautious with their speed and may require additional supervision if the weather conditions are less than ideal.  Good housekeeping and being cautious plays an important role in helping prevent slips and trips, as well as preventing vehicle downtime.  If a vehicle is required to operate in a wet and muddy environment around debris such as leaves or oil, it’s essential to regularly clean the equipment to prevent parts becoming blocked, which can lead to malfunction.  It’s also a good idea to use salt or gravel for traction in the yard areas during the winter months.

4) Visibility in dark conditions
Forklifts should be fitted with suitable lighting to enable them to work safely during times of reduced daylight nd visibility for pedestrians and forklift operators. 

5) Comfort
We all know that miserable winter weather can have an impact on morale and productivity.   It’s vital as an employer or supervisor to provide comfortable working conditions for the entire workday.  Forklifts can be modified to make them more suitable for use in winter weather.  Forklift cabs, covers, windshield wipers and heaters can make the experience more comfortable for the operator.  Supervisors should also consider providing their staff with winter clothing to ensure they stay dry and comfortable throughout their entire shift.  These little details can help boost employee morale and, as a result, help meet operational goals during the cold winter months.

6) Fast and reliable support
Always ensure that there is a reliable, experienced service provider looking after the fleet, who can respond effectively in case of breakdown.   Williams Machinery’s team of licensed technicians are available around the clock to respond to any urgent service needs that may arise.

7) Back-up plans
it’s important to ensure your forklift service provider has access to short-term rental equipment to use in case your primary equipment breaks down, causing decreased output and downtime.

Many operators have probably heard a number of experts extol the benefits of using Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEM) replacement parts. But if end-users can save money by buying a cheaper generic part, why shouldn’t they? Generic parts are really the same thing, aren’t they? And even if they are not, what could possibly be the problem? After someone has installed a generic replacement part in operators’ equipment, it seems to work fine, doesn’t it?

There are a number of risks end-users take every time they allow someone to install generic parts in their equipment. Risks that they probably would not be willing to take if they truly understood the consequences.

First, most operators don’t know that the installation of generic replacement parts will void their warranty with most manufacturers. In fact, many manufacturers clearly state in their new equipment warranties that end-users must use OEM replacement parts. If they do not and a generic component fails or causes damage to their equipment, most manufacturers will not cover the repair under warranty. Even if their equipment is only months old, operators will void most warranties by installing generic replacement components. Normally, they don’t need to worry during this time because factory-authorized service agencies are required to use OEM parts. But it might be wise for them to ask the question … just to be sure.

Perhaps an operator’s equipment is not covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. It is okay to save money on generic parts then … right? The answer is “no,” and the reason why is that there are a number of liabilities inherent in using non-OEM replacement parts.

End-users’ equipment was tested for safety using the manufacturer’s OEM parts. Thus, the equipment might have UL-approval but, keep in mind, that approval was given to the equipment when it contained OEM parts. This is particularly risky when operators replace some of the most commonly substituted components.  Is a few dollars of savings worth risking a fire? It is also important to note that using non-OEM substitute parts may “modify” the original equipment design and release an equipment manufacturer from any liability in the event of a fire.  If you buy an off brand part, particularly a key component, or a safety related item, and an accident occurs, the liability will be mostly yours.  In that situation you’ll likely have little recourse to go after that vendor, compared to a situation where the OEM supplied the part in question.

 The choice is yours!

A walkie, or a motorized pallet jack, is the simplest vehicle used to move pallets.  In a warehouse, this trusty piece of equipment is typically used to load or unload trucks, or to move pallets around efficiently on the dock. In the field, they’re used by delivery drivers to unload pallets and move them across a parking lot. A big box retailer might use them to move pallets from the stock room to the store floor for merchandising.

Modern Materials Handling gives a great overview on the important points to consider when selecting a pallet truck:

What is the operating environment? A walkie used on the dock may need a spring-loaded caster for better stability going over the dock plate. A walkie destined for a freezer may need a cold storage environment package. If your walkie will be used outside or in a food plant where the equipment is washed down with caustic chemicals, you may look for an under-carriage with stainless steel or nickel-plated pins.

How many hours a day will it operate? The two most common battery packs on walkies are wet cell batteries and gel batteries. A wet cell is less expensive than a gel, but a gel pack doesn’t require maintenance, like watering. A high-use operation may require a heavy-duty battery to get through a shift without a battery swap or charge. That’s a bigger upfront investment, but the battery may provide a longer life than alternative batteries.

Is it maneuverable? When it comes to moving pallets on a dock, most walkies will do the trick. If you’re loading and unloading a truck and making a 90-degree turn to cube out a trailer, you need a walkie capable of tight radius turns so the operator doesn’t have to inch the pallet out.