Over the past weeks, we did some research on Materials Handling Equipment (MHE). There are various categories in MHE. Today, I would like to share with you the Transport Equipment Category.
So what is Transport Equipment??
Here’s a simple explanation. It is something that is used to move material from one location to another within a facility or site. We also found out that Transport Equipment can be classified as Conveyors, Cranes, Industrial Trucks & No Equipment.
Let me zoom in on Industrial Trucks. As the word truck imply, it is basically equipment used to move materials over variable paths, with no restrictions on the area covered by the movement.
I’m sure many of you have seen the following equipment before but are not sure of its name and function. Okay, let me bring you down the memory lane.
I’m sure you saw this before….
Karung Guni!!! Hahaha!!!
Okay, maybe not exactly what you thought it was. The picture you saw is a Hand Truck. To be more precise, a Two-Wheeled Hand TruckHow it works?
Load is tilted during travel
What is a Hand Truck?
Just remember this simple formula
Hand Truck = Non-pallet + manual + no stack
Okay, lets try the next one….
It sounds like someone’s name
Pallet Jack!!
Here’s another formulaPallet Jack = Pallet + walk + no stack
Description:Front wheels are mounted inside the end of the forks and extend to the floor as the pallet is only lifted enough to clear the floor for subsequent travel
Here’s a sample of pallet jack.
Manual Pallet Jack
As clearly shown here, this pallet jack has a carrying capacity of 4500 LBS
Side View
Back View
Here’s another. By the way, that’s not Jack. hehehe!!! That’s our group member, Julian.
Pallet Jacks are useful equipment, especially in the warehouse. However, there are some disadvantages. The following pallets cannot be used.
· Reversible pallets
· Double-faced non-reversible pallets cannot have deckboards(The forks cannot be inserted into the notches)
The next equipment I would like to touch on is,
Counterbalanced (CB) Lift Truck aka Fork Truck
Here’s how an equipment is categorised as Counterbalanced (CB) Lift Truck aka Fork Truck
Pallet + Ride + Stack
They are also referred to as the work horses of material handling. This is due to their flexibility for indoor/outdoor operation over a variety of different surfaces; variety of load capacities available
The pictures you are about to see is Sit-Down Counterbalanced Lift Truck aka Fork Lift. It can run on diesel or electricity(Batteries) The one you are about to see, runs on batteries.
Word of caution, Fork Lifts come in different size & capability.
Here’s the big br
other…
The one seen here is a 4 tonner. The 4 tons refer to the carrying capacity.
Here’s the little brother
Here’s a 2 tonner. I was referring to the carrying capacity of the fork lift & not the weight of the two girls there. Hahaha!!
Notice the two forks at the front of the trucks. This is where a cargo load is placed. A variety of attachments are also available. The forks can be replace with other attachments. the forks (e.g., carton clamps) or enhance the capabilities of the forks (e.g., blades for slipsheets).
Finally, the equipment equivalent to a giraffe…
“Drumrolls” It’s the Very Narrow Aisle (VNA)
The VNA falls under the Turret Truck family.
What’s so great about Turret Truck??
· Greater stacking height
· Forks rotate to allow for side loading
· Truck itself does not rotate during stacking, the body of the truck can be longer to increase its counterbalance capability and to allow the operator to sit
· Can function like a sideloader for transporting greater-than-pallet-size load
Click on the picture below to see a VNA in action
More pictures of VNA
Here’s how an equipment is categorised as Counterbalanced (CB) Lift Truck aka Fork Truck
Pallet + Ride + Stack
They are also referred to as the work horses of material handling. This is due to their flexibility for indoor/outdoor operation over a variety of different surfaces; variety of load capacities available
The pictures you are about to see is Sit-Down Counterbalanced Lift Truck aka Fork Lift. It can run on diesel or electricity(Batteries) The one you are about to see, runs on batteries.
Word of caution, Fork Lifts come in different size & capability.
Here’s the big br
other…The one seen here is a 4 tonner. The 4 tons refer to the carrying capacity.
Here’s the little brother
Here’s a 2 tonner. I was referring to the carrying capacity of the fork lift & not the weight of the two girls there. Hahaha!!
Notice the two forks at the front of the trucks. This is where a cargo load is placed. A variety of attachments are also available. The forks can be replace with other attachments. the forks (e.g., carton clamps) or enhance the capabilities of the forks (e.g., blades for slipsheets).
Finally, the equipment equivalent to a giraffe…
“Drumrolls” It’s the Very Narrow Aisle (VNA)
The VNA falls under the Turret Truck family.
What’s so great about Turret Truck??
· Greater stacking height
· Forks rotate to allow for side loading
· Truck itself does not rotate during stacking, the body of the truck can be longer to increase its counterbalance capability and to allow the operator to sit
· Can function like a sideloader for transporting greater-than-pallet-size load
Click on the picture below to see a VNA in action
More pictures of VNA
Don’t you think it look strong & steady? Was referring to the VNA of course. Not the three guys there… :D
Facts about VNA:
· Has a carrying capacity approx 2 tons/ 2000 kg
· Able to reach up to 20m
· Forks rotate to allow for side loading
Safety Feature....
As you can see here, this is one of the safety features of a VNA.
This tracks guide the VNA when it is moving in aisle. The safety tracks prevent the VNA from getting into contact with the racks.
Apart from that, it also acts as a safety check for the equipment.
The tracks, work together with the sensors on the VNA. As part of the safety feature, the tracks will work with the onboard sensor to prevent accidents.
One of this feature is that the VNA will automatically slow down when it approach the end of the racls. (Entrance/Exit)
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