As time marches forward, technology eventually catches up with every business- and the materials handling industry is no different. The latest trend is an underlying debate over so-called” robotic” forklifts. More popular at the moment in Europe, these robotic forklifts do offer some advantages, but at this point- as we’ll see here- the...

We still get questions.  We have all these resources, thousands of words in our blogs and we still get questions. That’s a good thing.  We love questions and can talk about forklifts all day. Here’s just some of the questions we’ve been asked this month: Where can I get trained to drive a forklift?  We offer training to businesses,...

Renting a forklift is a great alternative to purchasing a new or used piece of equipment. It is still a big decision though and you don't want to pay for more than you need or get less than what you need. We can help you figure out the best solution to your equipment rental needs! Ask Matt Cox at (704) 842-3242 for more information on...

Something we wrote about in passing in last week’s blog got some attention and we’re getting a lot of questions about something called Whole Body Vibration injuries. These types of injuries occur over time in operators of heavy machinery, and vibration can even exacerbate pre-existing injuries if precautions aren’t taken. Spinal injury...

Forklifts have evolved over the past 100 years since their inception, and as developments and technology continue to take the forklift and materials handling industry to new heights- tires are getting a lot of attention. Tires tend to be the biggest “wear” item on a forklift, and the biggest cost-concern for owners as well. Typically, tires...

There is a certain “buyer beware” element of purchasing any used forklift.  Of course, the AFS technicians and mechanics go over every inch of every used unit, and there are things you can do to make sure your newly-purchased used forklift will give you several years of good work. Here are the warranty levels available: As-is: No warranty...

It’s not complicated, keeping your facility safe.  Anywhere there are machinery, materials and people there are bound to be complications, but the fact is most workplace accidents can be prevented. With that in mind- here are five things you can do right now, today, to make your facility safer for your employees, your equipment, and your...

One thing worries warehouse managers. That day when the materials you are handling become too much for the forklifts you’re currently using. Here’s three signs- the big three signs- your facility is in the market for a bigger forklift: Your staging area is bogging down. The whole advantage of a forklift is to move more of an item safely...

We often get calls from young people who ask us how they can become a forklift operator.  While it seems like an easy question, there are certain requirements that make the answer a little complicated.  We’re going to try to unsnarl the details here: First, you have to be 18 and have your high school diploma.  That’s the simplest...

Loading docks are a critical point in the materials handling process, and they also have the potential to be dangerous and even life-threatening if proper safety procedures aren’t followed. Like most safety measures, a good dose of common sense goes a long way. There are no shortage of potential accident spots on a loading dock, and a...