Some of the questions we get asked are complicated, others only require a short answer. Here are some of the easier questions we get asked, in no particular order:
Q:What is the purpose of the lift where the operator goes up into the air?
A: That’s called an “Order Picker.” They’re different from a conventional forklift in that they have different load capacities and lift heights. The “cockpit” where the operator is located literally travels up with the unit to load or unload larger products like furniture or large boxes- products that are normally not stored on pallets and can only be moved by hand.
The advantage of an “Order Picker” is that given the environments in which these are used, a conventional forklift cannot handle these loads safely. The operator can handle the load better than a forklift truck.
“Order Pickers” are most frequently found in furniture warehouses.
Q: Is there a type of forklift that can handle multiple pallets at a time?
A: There is! They’re called “Dual Pallet Handlers.” They’re found in soda and beer-handling operations where moving multiple pallets in one trip is cost-effective and increases productivity.
Q: All forks on a forklift look the same. Are there different types of forks?
A: They may seem the same, but there are a wide variety of forks for nearly every type of job they may be asked to do- they come in various sizes and lengths.
The length of a standard fork is anywhere from 24 – 84 inches in length. Some applications, like lumber yards, may even require longer forks. Widths very as well- starting with the “standard” 4-5 inches and growing wider depending on what the forklift is being asked to move.
The ends of the forks can be different depending on the application as well. Tapered, polish, and “lumber” type ends can be ordered- these tend to be the most common.
We love a good question. Drop us an email, give us a call- we’ve got the answers and we can talk about this stuff all day.