forklift overview

A Review of 2019 in the Forklift Industry

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With 2019 now at its end, there have been plenty of innovations, launches and even events to look back on. Here at Radnes Services we are a registerd CAT dealer and have seen CAT celebrate a year stuffed with exciting new products, prestigious awards and more.

As we hurtle towards 2020 with only a few weeks left to go, it’s well worth looking back and seeing all that has been achieved in the last year.

New product launches

Modified CAT counterbalance trucks

One of the most exciting launches for CAT came towards the end of the year, with modifications to their popular CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance trucks, both in LPG and diesel forms. These changes offer clear benefits over the old models, both in terms of convenience and comfort for users and in terms of functionality and health and safety. A new seat, more modern styling and a brand-new speed limiter all serve to modernise this industry workhorse and make it more appealing to their chosen audience.

CAT lift trucks range extensions

Alongside the modernisation of CAT’s counterbalance trucks, the brand has also been working hard to produce additions to their lift truck range with practical electric hand pallet trucks. Designed to work in tandem with their innovative range of modern forklifts – which debuted the previous year – these lift trucks are easy to handle and higher productivity than ever before. CAT has made these models both ergonomic and cost-effective, making them a must-have for warehouses everywhere.

NOL10P second-level order picker released to order

While CAT’s new range of second-level order pickers was announced right at the end of 2018, these versatile and efficient pieces of equipment became fully available at the start of 2019. They are designed specifically for purpose, with LiftComfort features and high functionality included as standard, the NOL10P plugs a gap in the CAT range by allowing for better controls, faster picking and better comfort overall. The new model is also far more comfortable to drive and use in general, making it ideal for countless warehouses and locations. ECO mode is even included to reduce energy consumption, with a slight reduction in operations required.

Exciting technologies

Developing battery technologies

As part of their display at IMHX 2019, CAT took a closer look at the state of the energy industry when it comes to their vehicles – with some surprising revelations. While the company is moving towards electric machinery, away from their diesel roots, evidence suggests that acid batteries are here to stay, with innovations expected alongside the development of more efficient and powerful lithium-ion batteries. The future is looking greener, and it seems CAT are doing their part.

Newer safety and comfort features

In 2019 CAT has really doubled down on improving the safety and ergonomic nature of their product range, allowing for extended use and more productive working. The development of the newer CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance trucks, in particular, proves that the company is more committed to improvement than ever before. Limiting features, the use of SecurGate and similar technologies has helped to make 2019 one of the safest years for the brand yet. The use of increased comfort features, such as new seats, ensure that CAT remains the best option out there for long working days or extended use of forklifts, trucks or anything else from their range.

Awards and events

IMHX 2019

Amongst the most significant events in the industry calendar is IMHX, a show that takes place every two years at the popular NEC venue. This year, CAT brought their all with the full range of new CAT lift trucks on display, as well as emphasising safety in the workplace. Visitors were able to get up close and personal with some of the newest and most exciting innovations in lift truck technology, as well as explore the developments into powering these exceptional machines.

Red Dot Design Award

CAT has talked away with a prestigious Red Dot Design Award this year, specifically for CAT designers on the work carried out for the EP14 electric counterbalance forklift. This award that was presented in Germany in July continues to show why CAT is top-of-the-line when it comes to thoughtful, functional and high-quality design. Chosen for its ergonomic feel, responsiveness and customised functions, the CAT 48V lift truck was a popular choice to win.

What 2020 will bring

With 2020 less than a month away, it’s unlikely we will hear any new announcements on products or technology this side of the new year. But the following year looks like it could be an exciting one for the forklift industry as a whole and CAT in particular. With forklifts and trucks now competing with EV – electric vehicles – for lithium-ion batteries and technologies, it would come as no surprise if newer batteries or more evolved forms of existing energies appear on the market. This may mean that CAT becomes eco-friendlier and more effective than ever in 2020, alongside other forklift brands.

With recent truck updates in 2019, 2020 may see some exciting new launches to fill in the niches in the CAT catalogue, as well as bringing their existing machinery up to the latest standards set by the CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance truck range. With a design award under their belt for the exceptional quality of the current-gen EP14, there’s no reason why CAT wouldn’t continue to develop and improve upon what’s right in front of them.

Wherever 2020 might bring us, one thing is for sure: CAT continues to be at the top of their game when it comes to forklift, truck and pallet technology – and we can’t wait to see where they’ll take us next. To view our full range of current generation CAT technology, visit our online catalogue here or contact us directly to find out more about what CAT could offer your business.

Warehouse Forklifts - Everything you need to know - Radnes Services

Your guide to Warehouse Forklifts

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Forklifts are an essential piece of equipment for any warehouse, but they are also one of the most expensive! So, making sure that you choose the right forklift for your warehouse requirements is essential. Depending on the kinds of products you will be handling, the warehouse environment and the type of shelving you have, the most suitable forklift will differ. So, continue reading to discover the most popular and widest used forklifts available and what environments they are most suited for.

1. Counterbalanced forklift

This is one of the most popular and versatile types of forklift. They are used in a wide variety of settings but are mostly used indoors and on flat surfaces. This is the ideal piece of machinery for warehouses, due to its ability to help you move heavy loads across relatively short distances.

Counterbalance forklifts are able to move extremely heavy objects because of the massive weight at the rear of the machine which counterbalances the weight of pallets and materials loaded onto the frontal forks.

Available in electric, diesel or gas models, counterbalanced forklifts are an excellent choice for warehouses with extensive inventories. They are especially handy for loading and unloading pallets and transporting items to/from delivery vehicles.

Some models come in a three-wheel variety, which is helpful if you are short on space, as the four-wheel models can sometimes be challenging to manoeuvre in tight spaces since they have a large turning circle. However, in most situations, this is not a problem, and the benefits of having a powerful, versatile and robust piece of equipment like this vastly outweigh any potential issues with limited manoeuvrability.

2. Sideloader forklift

Sideloader forklifts are not suitable for all your warehouse needs, but they are an absolute blessing in certain situations! If you regularly store long or wide items, then the sideloader is a fantastic choice. They are designed to carry their load sideways, which makes them great for transporting long items such as tubing, sleepers, sheet metal, timber and pipes. The sideloader forklift is also suitable to use in narrow aisles; its unique scissor mechanism of extending forks means that it does not have to turn.

Loading and unloading awkward heavy objects can be a nightmare when using traditional forklifts, but the sideloader makes short work of navigating narrow aisles and handling long products. Sideloaders feature a compartment for the operator and can even be the width of your aisles as they do not need to turn to load or unload.

3. Industrial forklift

Large capacity forklifts or industrial forklifts are capable of shifting heavier loads than the average warehouse forklift. They come in a variety of reach heights and weight capacities but operate similarly to the counterbalance, in that they have a heavyweight at the rear of the machine to counteract heavy loads.

Depending on your requirements, you will be able to get an industrial forklift to suit the needs of your warehouse. It is especially suited to taller shelving systems as they are capable of lifting loads off much higher off the ground than a standard warehouse forklift. However, industrial forklifts are only necessary for a narrow range of situations, as it usually is rare for such power to be needed.

4. Rough terrain forklift

This forklift is absolutely essential if you work in rough outdoor conditions, such as a builder’s merchants, farm, construction site or garden centre. Rough terrain forklifts are capable of working on rough ground such as gravel, rocks, pebbles and uneven earth due to their robust structure. This forklift features durable pneumatic (inflatable) tyres, heavy tyre tread, high ground clearance and a powerful engine. Ideal for outdoor work, these machines are not designed to be used indoors – especially as most are diesel-powered.

If your warehouse is indoors, and the only outdoor transportation required is between shelves and lorries or offloading vehicles, then you would not need to go to the expense of a rough terrain forklift. The only circumstance in which you might consider it is if the path leading to vehicles is rough, although, in this case, it would probably be cheaper to resurface the road or pathway rather than buy or rent a rough terrain forklift.

5. Pallet jack

Pallet jacks are designed to be used in smaller locations, with lower capacities. Also known as pump trucks, they can be operated manually or with an electric battery. Due to their small size, they are perfect in a vast array of settings such as shops, warehouses and stockrooms, where space is at a premium, and you need a forklift to access pallets in the tightest of spaces.

If you need to move floor level items, then this is an essential tool, but bear in mind that this is not suitable for heavier loads or for loading/unloading anything from higher than ground level. It is also only suitable for transporting pallets, and will only be able to lift loads a few inches of the ground.

Pallet jacks are relatively inexpensive, so make a worthwhile investment in most warehouses, even if you only need to use it occasionally. This kind of forklift does not have the power to move quickly, though, which may be an advantage in some settings, especially those tight on space.

6. Telescopic handler

Sometimes known as a telehandler, reach forklift or cherry-picker – the telescopic handler is the ultimate high-reaching forklift. The boom and extendable arm mean that it can be used as either a forklift or a small crane. Ideally suited to construction or agricultural settings, the telescopic handler can also be used in warehouses which require forklifts to load and unload products at extreme heights. The telehandler is also able to manoeuvre pallets and payloads into tight spaces and at odd angles, making this perfect if you want to maximise space.

Available with a range of attachments (aside from lifting forks) they can be helpful in a huge number of circumstances. These powerful machines don’t come without a downside, though – they can be pretty costly! Due to their power and size, they are also less easy to manoeuvre and have a large turning circle. However, their power, durability and strength as well as their suitability for use on rough terrain, makes them an indispensable tool for moving around heavy items into hard to reach places.

7. Walkie Stacker

Similar to a pallet jack in that they do not have a cab for the operator to sit or stand in, a walkie stacker is steered by a worker using a handle attached to the back of the stacker. The main difference between a walkie stacker and a pallet jack is that pallet jack is only suitable for moving things at floor level whereas a walkie stacker is able to reach further up off the ground to load and unload pallets. Like the pallet jack, this product is not particularly powerful or fast, and it also doesn’t have a large counterweight to counteract the weight of the material being transported. For this reason, the walkie stacker should only be used to carry lighter loads.

8. Order picker

An order picker is a type of walkie stacker or reach forklift, but instead of using them to load pallets onto shelves or unloading materials from lorries or trucks, they are used to lift an operator up to the warehouse’s shelves/racks so that they can pick the correct item and bring it down again.

Order pickers are essential for warehouses which ship out individual items, where you do not want or need entire pallets to be brought down to ground level. Normally, reaching heights up to 32ft, an order picker is a versatile and handy tool to have for almost any industry whether you store washing machines or sofas.

Most order pickers are battery-powered and come in a variety of capacities, lift heights and platform sizes. Obviously, if items are quite large, e.g. an armchair, the type of lift you pick will need to have a big enough platform size and power capacity.

9. Pallet Trucks

Palet trucks come in two main types, manual and powered. Similar to pallet jacks, a pallet truck usually has a larger platform size allowing for the transportation of more than one pallet at a time either horizontally or vertically. They operate in much the same way though, by slipping the fork under the pallet and using a hydraulic jack to lift the payload. Manual pallet trucks are hand-operated and powered trucks are motor-powered and more suitable for moving heavier items. Powered pallet trucks are also much more speedy and are ideal for loading and unloading pallets from a truck or other delivery vehicle, for distribution across a large warehouse.

10. High rack stackers

Sometimes warehouses have super tight aisles, and where this is the case, a narrow high rack stack should definitely be considered. Many models of high rack stackers have a large storage capacity and a clear view for the operator, which makes it a safer alternative to many traditional types of forklifts in tight quarters.

The use of specially designed high rack stackers has become more popular in recent years as retailers and manufacturers attempt to maximise space in their warehouses. Forklifts designed to be used in tight spaces, allow for more shelves to be built and more product to be stored. High rack stackers that can operate in narrow spaces are particularly helpful as not only can they work in narrow spaces, they can also reach higher than ordinary forklifts, so space can be maximised both off the ground and on the ground!

High rack stackers are different from traditional reach or telescopic forklifts as they are often designed with advanced technology to be semi-automatic – in some cases, this can even mean that no human operator is necessary. However, the most efficient option (prone to less error) are stackers, which allow for an operator to be lifted up and down with the machine to ensure easy (and correct) pallet retrieval.

Whatever your needs for warehouse forklifts, we’d love to have a chat. Get in touch and talk to our friendly staff today about what you need for your warehouse and how we can help.

Multi

Multi-way forklifts: What are they and how can they benefit your business?

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Designed to transport heavy goods to specific locations, forklift trucks are an invaluable addition to any warehouse or racking environment. Whilst there are a variety of different forklift models available, multi-way forklifts are perfectly suited to the narrow aisles and confined spaces of a busy warehouse. Equipped with multidirectional drive, the wheels of a multi-way forklift truck rotate to enable the vehicle to move in any direction. This allows the driver to manoeuvre heavy loads and pallets down the long, narrow aisles without having to then turn around in a tight space at the end. When used correctly, multi-way forklift trucks are a safe way to transport heavy goods due to their robust nature and precision handling.

At Radnes Services, we boast a fleet of superbly serviced multi-way forklift trucks for rental or to buy. With varying speed, reach and weight capacity vehicles available, our experts at Radnes Services are able to match you with the most appropriate vehicle to suit your needs.

Multi-way forklift trucks in more detail

Typically able to carry between 1500 and 2500kg of weight, a multi-way forklift will accommodate for most of your business needs. With reach capacities that can lift up to 10 metres high, a multi-way reach truck will aid you in utilising the top shelf space in your warehouse. What makes a multi-way truck unique is that it also maintains a multidirectional drive that allows the vehicle to change direction without having to rotate. As a result, multi-way forklift trucks are an invaluable addition to any warehouse-based business. Whether you decide that a multi-way, counterbalance, flexi or turret truck is best for you, investing in a forklift is guaranteed to enhance the smooth running of your business.

Forklift trucks are known for the advantages that they can bring to a business. Whether you operate on a large or small scale, at Radnes Services we can help to find the forklift that is best for you. With a huge stock of machines waiting in our Croydon depot, we are able to despatch your vehicle for delivery immediately after an order is placed. Arriving fully serviced and having already passed a thorough examination, you can rest assured that your Radnes vehicle will immediately be good to go. Below, we have put together a list of the benefits you can expect for your business if you decide to access the help of a forklift truck.

Agility

Multi-way forklift trucks are known for their motion versatility. Equipped with various travel modes to enhance its manoeuvrability, the multi-way forklift truck is an agile piece of equipment that is able to move heavy loads to new locations with precision. A multi-way forklift truck is perfect for the easy handling of heavy loads within the confined spaces of a busy working environment.

Maximise your space

Using a multi-way forklift truck allows you to store heavy or unusual loads in previously difficult to reach locations. Whether you wish to stack pallets on high shelves or store boxes in an awkward to reach and unused space, a multi-way forklift truck is able to transport goods with exact movements. This enables you to maximise your available warehouse or shelf space, making the most of your business environment.

Increase productivity

By enhancing the precision and efficiency with which your business conducts the movement of goods, you will benefit from increased productivity. Incredibly powerful machines, forklift trucks can complete the work of multiple human workers in a much shorter space of time. Not only does this allow your workforce to crack on with other jobs, but the multidirectional drive means that using a multi-way forklift is even quicker and easier than other models. A multi-way forklift truck is, therefore, a worthy investment for any business dealing with heavy-duty loads.

Expand your workload capabilities

Utilising a multi-way forklift truck may allow your business to expand into areas that it was previously ill-equipped to handle. By increasing the weight of goods that you are able to transport and store, you will be able to accept larger freight packages. A multi-way forklift truck can be used to load and unload these large freight packages from delivery vehicles, allowing your business to accept heavier workloads without extra strain being placed upon the workforce.

A safer working environment

Forklift trucks revolutionised the warehouse working environment, improving the safety of workers as well as benefiting the business. When used correctly, multi-way forklift trucks are a safe and efficient way to transport heavy goods whilst also eliminating the physical strain on workers. By training workers to correctly operate forklift machinery, the working environment will become a much safer place to be. At Radnes Services, we pride ourselves on a comprehensive approach to safe forklift usage, with all our available new and second-hand trucks having been fully serviced prior to their arrival. We also offer a range of Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) approved courses in which participants are able to learn the skills and procedures needed for safe forklift operation.

Speed control

Multi-way forklift trucks are equipped with varying speed settings and easy driver controls. This enables the vehicle to be adjusted to suit different environments, accommodating for safe passage amongst pedestrians or other vehicles. Equipped with varying speeds, a multi-way forklift truck is an adaptable, reliable and safe piece of machinery that you can trust to introduce into your working environment.

Environmentally-friendly options

Traditionally powered by diesel, petrol or propane, there are now alternatively powered forklifts available that run without producing harmful gases or vapours. In recent years, battery-powered and electrical forklifts have increased in popularity because they are able to run without producing these harmful gases. Not only does this benefit the health of your workforce and the environment as a whole, but it is also a cheaper alternative to the maintenance of a fuel powered vehicle. With the rise of eco-friendly forklift trucks, your business can thrive without having to emit harmful gases into the working environment.

Good traction

Multi-way forklift trucks are equipped with good traction that enhances the vehicle’s stability and precision movement. This allows the vehicle to safely move amongst a busy working environment with minimal risk of slippage or sway. Multi-way forklift trucks are suitable for typical warehouse environments, with no specialist flooring needed for operation, meaning that when your forklift arrives you are good to go.

Compact

Multi-way forklift trucks are compact vehicles. They are ergonomically designed to navigate small aisles without having to turn around in tight and dangerous spaces. Their compact design also allows for easy storage of the vehicle when it is not in use, without taking up valuable warehouse space.

Durability

Forklift trucks are incredibly durable pieces of machinery, so purchasing one for your business is a worthy investment. All multi-way forklift trucks are robust and hard-wearing, with different models able to carry varying degrees of weight. Purchasing a multi-way forklift is, therefore, a long-term investment that will pay off in the benefits it will bring to your business. All the new and second-hand trucks we have available to purchase from Radnes Services are fully serviced and MOT approved, arriving in top quality condition with long life spans ahead of them. Our experts at Radnes Services also specialise in the maintenance and repair of forklift trucks, regardless of the shape or size. The repair and maintenance of your vehicle is, therefore, easier than ever, with no call-out charges in the unlikely event that your vehicle needs a swift repair.

Try before you buy

With the option to rent a forklift truck available, you are able to test out which vehicle is right for you before committing to a purchase. Whilst investing in a forklift truck may seem like a daunting process, it doesn’t have to be. Our experts at Radnes Services will aid you in finding the perfect vehicle, offering you the option to rent one of our fleet before you commit to a purchase. At Radnes Services, we offer both short and long-term rental options, giving you plenty of flexibility with how you decide to use your vehicle. By utilising the rental service available, you can try out a variety of different features before deciding on the model of forklift that is right for you to buy.

Acquire a forklift through Radnes Services today

At Radnes Services we specialise in the hire, sale and repair of forklift trucks at competitive prices. Our expert staff are able to match the appropriate model of truck to your individual situation, recommending the vehicle that is right for you.

Whether you wish to hire a forklift truck for a short-term specific use or are interested in investing in purchasing your own forklift, at Radnes Services we have the model to suit you. Equipped with the most reputable brands, such as Hyster/Yale, Caterpiller and Mitsubishi, we are able to provide a recommendation from our extensive fleet of vehicles. No matter the layout of your site or size of your budget, our staff at Radnes Services will find the perfect truck to meet your needs.

At Radnes Services we pride ourselves in offering a personalised service that values its customers, operating across the whole of the South East of England. Get in touch with our Radnes Service experts today to acquire a superbly serviced forklift truck for your business.