Inspect Your Forks to Prevent Safety Hazards

Forklift forks are the hardest working part of a forklift, yet they are often mistreated and forgotten. As insubstantial as it may seem, neglecting forks could make them dangerous. A simple 10% reduction in blade thickness results in 20% reduction of capacity.

Most operator training manuals and training classes hardly mention the forks, but it is important to provide proper maintenance and inspection of forks to make sure they perform safely and productively. Under normal conditions, forks should be inspected daily by the operator with a visual inspection as well as being professionally inspected every six to twelve months to look for cracks, distortion, blade straightness and wear, among other things.

The best method for a fork inspection is a fork caliper. This adjustable go/no-go device measures four contact points on the shank and blade of the fork. The reading determines the wear of the fork for safety and usefulness.

Forks should not be loaded over the capacity of the forklift. The forklift operator should be aware of the capacity of the forks, since overloading will lead to bending or weakening of the forks. Following these guidelines should help prolong the life of your forks.

Fork repair is not recommended. When forks get broken or damaged, the best thing to do is replace them with new forks in the correct capacity for the model. Never try to weld or modify the forks for repair or adjust the use of the forks, The heat causes the forks to appear normal; however, there is undetectable damage from the heat.

For assistance with your forks, any forklift part or service, contact Shoppa's Mid America today!

Fleet Assessment, Cost Tackling & Accurate Reporting

For many companies, managing a fleet of forklifts and other material handling equipment can be a real distraction. In fact, for many distribution companies fleet management is the most time consuming and costly expense after payroll.

There are three main steps that Shoppa's Mid America takes to provide optimal fleet management solutions: fleet assessment, cost tackling and accurate reporting. Through this detailed process, Shoppa's Mid America is able to provide a comprehensive plan that delivers long-term solutions.

Shoppa's Mid America will conduct a comprehensive fleet analysis in order to identify areas to improve efficiency and productivity including suggestions to properly size, configure, maintain and manage your material handling equipment fleet.

Shoppa's experience and expertise provide you with numerous advantages versus the competition.

 

Personal Attention
Unlike national manufacturers, our goal is to provide you with the best options for your individual needs, not just to sell you new equipment.

Dealer Knowledge & Buying Power
Shoppa's has long standing relationship with some of the best dealers and manufacturers in the industry. This enables us to provide you with extensive options from a variety of brands, regardless of your location.

Industry Experience
For over 30 years, Shoppa's has been dedicated to providing material handling solutions. We have some of the most knowledgeable staff in the industry, spread out between our nine convenient locations.

More Than Just Forklifts
Shoppa's provides fleet management for all types of material handling and industrial equipment regardless of whether you have a one-brand fleet or a mixed fleet.

Through a schedule of maintenance and timely fleet replacement you'll have the material handling fleet you need to meet your evolving business requirements. Shoppa's Fleet Management services are designed to control material handling expenses and utilize equipment in the most efficient manner possible.

Through our online software tools, you are able to stay updated on every aspect of your fleet's operation and make the best decisions for you company's future.

Contact Shoppa's Mid America today for a free fleet audit and take the first step towards discovering your fleet's true potential.

9 Forklift Battery Care Tips

At Shoppa's Mid America, we want to make sure your electric lifts are working at optimum performance by providing you with the tools and service to keep your lift truck battery maintained properly. We understand the need for a reliable lift truck in order to be more competitive in tougher working environments. The ability to work alongside traditional lift trucks, yet doing so in an economically cleaner way, has made electric forklifts a preferred choice in the industry.

Battery Care Tips

In any application, proper care can greatly extend the life of your battery. Here are nine tips to getting the most out of your battery by spending just a few minutes a week.

1 Follow Instructions 
Get started right. Many a battery has had its potential life reduced before it was even started because somebody did not follow directions, and the same goes for chargers. Simple, low-maintenance chargers are available but must be used properly.

2 Make Sure Connections Are Sound 
A loose connection can cause dangerous arcing or sparking. It can also create a power-robbing, high-resistance connection. Play it safe and double check connections periodically.

3 Water Regularly After Charging 
Add water after charging. Charging increases the electrolyte level in cells and can cause overflowing if watered before charging. Overflow of electrolyte can corrode the battery tray, the battery compartment in the truck and other metal surfaces it contacts, besides decreasing the output of your battery. 

4 Keep It Clean 
Batteries should be kept clean and dry. Brush or wash off any dirt that may accumulate. If electrolyte is spilled on the top of the battery, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and a low-pressure supply of clean water. 

5 Don't Lay Tools On Top 
Battery gases are explosive. Short circuits can cause sparks, which may result in an explosion and possible damage to covers and jars. If a short does occur, check the shorted cells immediately before the battery is put back in service. 

6 Keep Vent Plugs In Place 
Vents allow gas to escape, and they keep foreign objects from accidentally falling into the cell. Remove vent plugs only to add water or to take hydrometer readings. Otherwise, keep securely in place. 

7 Keep It Cool 
A normal charge can increase the temperature of a battery by 15 degrees or more. Usually, this is not a problem. But, if you’re using your battery around a furnace or if your charger room is hot, it can be an issue. If that is the case, charge the battery in a room that is cool and well ventilated. 

8 Don’t Overcharge 
Don’t let anybody kid you—No amount of overcharging can increase battery capacity. Here are some signs of charger trouble: (1) Unusual rise in battery temperature after an eight-hour charge (anything over a 25-degree increase in charge). (2) Continuous running of charger. (3) Continuous running at a high rate. Talk to us about switching to an automatic stop/start (“smart”) charger. 

9 In Case of An Accident 
Check a battery thoroughly if it is involved in an accident. If it's damaged, fix it properly since a damaged battery can continue to deteriorate even when not in use.

Let Shoppa's Mid America be your one-stop-shop for backing up your investment with our battery washing and preventative maintenance programs, as well as our trained technicians who are ready to properly handle your battery needs.

Why Purchase an Electric Pallet Truck, Stacker or Tugger

The material handling industry categorizes forklifts into various classes. The Class III product includes a variety of electric motor lift trucks that are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated, such as:

• Electric pallet trucks, or jacks
• Walkie stackers
• Tuggers

Let’s focus on the walk-behind or “walkie-rider” style of electric pallet trucks. Having an electric pallet truck allows companies to move product that is not required to be stacked within its warehouse. Regardless of the manufacturer, this category of lift trucks carries a smaller price tag. While oftentimes the savings is enough, many companies find additional benefits to using an electric pallet truck.

Benefits of using an electric pallet truck

Fits your budget … If stacking product is not a requirement, an electric pallet truck may fit the needs of your application. On average, an electric pallet truck offers a savings of 65% compared to a similar capacity sit-down forklift.

Reduces your manual pallet truck fleet … Purchasing one electric pallet truck can replace several manual pallet trucks. While manual pallet trucks are inexpensive in initial cost, the lost productivity can easily justify a powered pallet truck.

Uses electric power … The use of electric power versus internal combustion powered forklifts offers the advantages of quieter operation and lack of fumes. This can be especially important if your operator is moving product in an enclosed area. Electric product also has lower operating and maintenance expenses when compared to internal combustion forklifts.

Better ergonomics … Having the product lifted and propelled by a powered motor instead of the operator reduces the back strain and fatigue experienced by operators of manual pallet trucks. Your company may experience a reduction of reported injuries.

Shoppa's Mid America is currently running a special on Toyota 7HBW23 Electric Pallet Trucks!