When Is The Time To Buy A Trailer Loading Ramp

Posted on by April 24, 2014
Truck Loading Yard RampsIncrease productivity and create a safe work environment with a portable solution. The following are six examples of when it is time to buy trailer loading ramps for a temporary or permanent warehouse need:
1. For temporary and portable ramp needs. Trailer loading ramps provide a ready-made ramp when you need one and are perfect for use when it’s not feasible to build a permanent concrete dock.
2. Bridge a gap. It is important to deliver material loads across a solid path. Dock heights can vary, and even a slight variance in height can create a gap. Ramps that fit well with easy adjustments provide a smooth surface from truck to warehouse dock.
3. Provide level footing and safety from falls. Loading ramps help to close up dangerous gaps where workers and forklift drivers risk injurious or lethal falls. Ramps that provide serrated steel grating, curbs and chains allow for extra traction, safety from falls and hold the ramp secure.
4. Save an aching back. Remembering to lift with your knees and not your back is safer, but still puts potentially hazardous weight onto a worker’s body. Moving heavy loads from delivery vehicle to storage area by using a ramp and forklift or dollies takes away some of the physical pressure.
5. When a loading dock just isn’t there or all the docks are full, create your own instant dock.
6. When time is of the essence, loading ramps allow quick loading and unloading from the ground to the dock.
Increase productivity and reduce handling expenses by using trailer loading ramps. Add options like rubber tires to help make towing and positioning easier. Add hydraulics for ease and speed of lift.

What are welding cylinder carts?

Posted on by April 24, 2014

The gases used in welding come in large, unwieldy cylinders that are hard for one person to handle alone. Instead of lugging them around and risking injury or death, welding cylinder carts are wheeled carts designed to enhance your safety and the security of the welding cylinders.

How do welding cylinder carts let you work smarter and not harder?
These simple but effective tools let you work smarter and into harder by taking all of the stress and strain of moving big and bulky welding cylinders around. You place the cylinder(s) into the cart, properly secure them, and then you can easily wheel them around.

How can they save me time?
They can save you time by not having to lug the cylinders from one part of the job to another individually and still have to go back for the hoses, valves, and torch head. The cylinders are secured in the cart, and the hoses, with the torch head attached, are wrapped around the tops of the cylinders and away you go. No more back and forth, back and forth required.

How can they increase jobsite safety?
They can increase jobsite safety in a few ways. The most important is that you bring the welding cylinders to right where you’re working and you don’t have to lay hoses between your truck and the work location. Also, you don’t have to risk personal injury rolling or lifting those heavy suckers. Load and secure those in the cart and you can easily wheel them around with only one hand.

Also, one of the main causes of jobsite injuries involving welding cylinders is when someone inadvertently knocks one or both over. That’s bad enough, but if the valve gets knocked off, or one of the hoses gets ripped out of the valve/regulator assembly, watch out! As rugged and stable as welding cylinder carts are, it takes quite a bit of force to knock them over.

How Does A Conrete Placement Bucket Improve Process Flow

Posted on by July 13, 2012

Concrete Placement BucketWhat is a concrete placement bucket?
It is a skid steer attachment used to pour concrete.  It allows for quick, efficient transport and dispatch of the material.  The bucket is made from steel and features reinforced corners to strengthen the sides.  It works with most loaders.

How do they improve process flow?
A skid steer loader attachment can access areas where more complex, expensive equipment cannot reach.  The lack of complex components also allows operators greater control of concrete pouring.

What are some applications that concrete placement buckets are used for?
Construction companies use them for many different types of applications.  Some road construction is done with concrete buckets.  Bridgework is another form of construction where these attachments are used.  Many parts of airports are built with them as well.  Home builders use them to create home foundations.  In many landscaping projects, construction crews are contracted to pour concrete for various hardscapes that are inaccessible to larger cement trucks.  Landscapers use them to create hardscape areas around homes.  Examples include the foundations of outdoor buildings, swimming pools, patios, and walkways.

Where do construction companies use them the most?
They are used in building renovations where concrete is only poured in select places.  In many new constructions, concrete placement buckets are used to access areas that are too cluttered with obstructions for heavier trucks to get through.  Such areas include atriums, patio courtyards, sidewalks, and various hardscapes.  A lot of concrete repair work is also done with buckets.  Driveways, parking areas, and walkways often crack after several years of use and can be better repaired with a simple device that accurately pours concrete into damaged areas.

When are attachment buckets essential?
When a company is on a budget, it is not always economical to purchase heavy concrete mixers and trucks that cost thousands of dollars more to maintain.  A small crew that may only have a single skid steer and a licensed driver, can quickly get the job done with fewer complications when a bucket attachment is used.  Because there are no mechanized parts, there is no risk of mechanical breakdown.  The unit is durable, reliable, and simple to operate in even the most challenging of environments.

The ability to place concrete in hard to reach areas increases productivity.  The lower cost of a concrete placement bucket makes it much more affordable than cement trucks or specialized mixing and pouring equipment.

Make Your Forklift Versatile With Forklift Extensions

Posted on by July 11, 2012

Forklift ExtensionWhat are forklift extensions?
They are devices that attach to each blade of a forklift to extend its reach.  Fork extenders allow fork truck operators to handle loads that are exceptionally large or oddly shaped.  Loads measuring 150% of the fork truck’s length typically require a standard model extension to be stabilized.

Extensions slide over the tops of forks and lock at the base.  Different types of locking mechanisms are used on different types of models to secure them prior to use.

How many types of fork extensions do you sell?
We sell standard loop style, pin style, and rear spacing models.

Standard loop style fork extenders have a loop at the base that the tip of the fork slides through.  They lay on top of the base.
Pin style fork extensions are laid over the fork and then secured with a pin that fits into the heel of the fork.
Rear spacer extenders also use a loop and feature an elevated surface at the rear that helps to push loads forward.

When are forklift extensions needed?
They should be used whenever a load is not uniform.  Particularly, they should be used if a load is heavier toward the top of the forks.  They are also used to move pallets through truck doors more quickly.  Extensions are slightly larger than the jams on these doors, so operators do not have to set down a load and then pick up the pallet again to push it.

What companies use them the most?
Shipping companies use them to increase process flow when moving pallets in and out of truck trailers.  Freight yards also use extensions to make it safer and easier to handle loads that vary in size.  Construction companies also use them because many construction materials, such as short, large diameter pipe and rolls of carpet, can be moved on triangular extensions that prevent the load from falling off the fork.  Warehouses will use RS extenders to push pallets two or three deep.

How safe is it to operate forklift extensions?
They are very safe to use if they are matched to the size of the forklift directly.  The key is determining which size is best for the blades on your particular forklift.  OSHA regulations limit the length of the extension to no more than 50% of the length of the tine.  Call Easy Rack with your forklift specs and application details to pick the right model for your facility.

What Types Of Designs Do Steel Utility Carts Feature?

Posted on by July 9, 2012

What types of designs do steel utility carts feature?
Steel Utlity CartAll have a frame of some type supported by four casters that allow products to be wheeled from point to point.  Some models are built with hydraulic tables that can elevate items to a desired height. Others are designed with a cradle that can support cylindrical objects like pipe.  Still others have baskets at the top that carry various materials.  Stock picking models are also built with two platforms and a built in ladder.  Some feature a flat bed design that is maneuvered on four casters by a handle controlled by the operator.  Forklift replacement models also exist that feature a dolly-like frame with a built in elevating platform.

What are steel carts used for?
They are used for moving boxed or bound materials in warehouses.  Those designed with elevating platforms can also double function as work tables.  Models with built in ladders are used for stock control.  Stock is carried on the lower platform then shifted to the upper platform for quicker placement on shelving.  Hydra lift carts are used as forklift replacements.  They have forks that can handle pallets, and removable platforms that can elevate non-palleted materials.

How do steel utility carts improve process flow?Steel Panel Cart
They improve process flow by eliminating the need to manually carry items.  When working in either a seated or standing position, carts with elevating platform are essential to ergonomic.  When working with a combination of palleted and non-palleted materials, lift carts with forks and removable platforms make it easy to maneuver both simply by removing the platform when forks are required.  Stock control with a platform system and a built in ladder is much faster that trying to wrestle with stock on a simple ladder.  Working with drums or cylindrical objects like pipe is much easier when you have a cradle cart designed specifically for supporting a rounded surface.

Are steel utility carts essential to certain operations?
Yes.  When working with materials that have to be lifted to specific heights, they are essential to ergonomics.  When moving pipe, cylinders, and drums, cradle carts are the best choice for safe and efficient maneuvering of these loads.  In clean rooms and sterile environments, stainless steel carts are a hygienic necessity.  In facilities where there are not licensed fork truck drivers, and where many loads are not stored on pallets, a lift cart with a removable platform is the safest and easiest device to use for loading and unloading supplies from trucks.  Inventory control in a crowded warehouse with safety issues requires a ladder and platform cart that can ensure worker safety while climbing and handling stock at the same time.

How do steel utility carts compare to plastic utility carts?
Steel frames are necessary when working with large, heavy loads.  Some steel carts, however, do have plastic baskets at the top for carrying lighter boxes and supplies.

What Is A Lift Truck Dumpster

Posted on by June 26, 2012

Forklift Dumpster AttachementWhat is a lift truck dumpster?

It is a hopper that is filled with debris, then locked to the prongs of a fork truck so that the operator can safely lift it from the ground and carry its contents to a dumpster.  Forklift hoppers are made from heavy gauge steel and come in a variety of sizes.  Some can carry up to 6,000 pounds of waste material at a time.
How does a lift truck dumpster operate?

The hopper is placed flat on the ground so that the forklift driver can insert the forks into the fork pockets.  The hopper is secured, and then it is loaded with debris.  The operator then raises the hopper above eye level in order to be able to see while driving it to the dumpster.  A safety lock keeps it from dumping its contents while it travels over rough ground.  Once it is in position over the dumpster, the operator can use either a rope release or lever release to dump the debris.
Where are lift truck dumpsters used?

They are used in many different industrial facilities.  Warehouses use them to clean up their yards so that vehicles and pedestrians can maneuver more safely.  Recycling centers use fork lift hoppers to transport aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass, cardboard, and other materials to large trucks that transport them to recycling plants.  Another place where you find these forklift attachments is a dockyard, where debris is separated and transported away from materials that are brought in on ships.  Distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and refineries are other industries that use forklift dumpsters to haul waste materials to dumpsters.  Perhaps the largest user group, however, is the construction industry.  Constructions sites witness the accumulation of debris throughout the day.  The most practical way to move this debris is with a forklift attachment that will elevate it above ground level and carry it out of the way of construction crews.
When is it economical to invest in a lift truck dumpster?

We would recommend you invest in at least one of these hoppers if you are transporting several loads of debris that weigh several hundred pounds or more.  There are manual carts that can haul smaller loads and even simple tools like wheelbarrows that can haul off things like brick and scrap metal.  However, heavy debris requires not only a mechanism for transport, but also a mechanism that can safely lift it high enough into the air to unload into the dumpster.
Materials that are commonly disposed of with fork truck hoppers include steel, wood scrap, used cement bags, concrete, rocks, and stumps.

How Many Types Of Aluminum Shelters Is There?

Posted on by September 4, 2013

Aluminum Smoking ShelterHow many types of aluminum shelters do you sell?

Our shelter types include, but are not limited to, transit (bus shelters), smoking shelters, bike shelters, ATM shelters, telephone shelters, vending shelters, security shelters, canopy shelters for entrances to parks, walkway shelters, and outdoor break rooms.

 

Do you customize these shelters?

Yes.  Different lengths of aluminum extrusion, ranging from 2 to 5 inches, are used to build structures in different sizes and styles.  Application guides the design process.  We do not build anything generic, even if we are building one of our more popular shelter types; we offer clients options in roof designs and material constitution.

Also, we can have your shelter built with a number of optional amenities.  Popular options include solar power, wind skirts, doors and heating for the winter.

What kinds of organizations use aluminum shelters?

All types of organizations with bus traffic need bus stop shelters.  These include, but are not limited to, schools, airports, city transit routes, large commercial campuses, and retirement homes with shuttle services.

How stable are these shelters?

They are very stable.  They mount directly to the concrete with pads and fasteners that hold them firmly in place.  Walls, supports, and roofs are prefabricated and shipped knocked down so you can assemble them quickly as soon as your shipment arrives.

How easy is it for a client to assemble the structure themselves?

It is very simple.  You will need a fork truck to transport the component parts to the installation site.  Once there, basic hand tools like a hammer, a pop rivet gun, and an electric drill will be all you need to assemble the structure.

What sizes of aluminum shelters do you build?

Depending on the type of shelter we design, the shelter can be anywhere from 2’ by 6’ on up to 10’ by 30’.

Are shelters built exclusively with aluminum, or are other materials also used?

They are much more advanced than what you may be visualizing, which is would be more like a metal shed than a true shelter.  Our shelters feature an aluminum frame, a roof made from acrylic or aluminum, and either glass or polyethylene sides.  This creates a very sturdy structure, anchored firmly to the ground, and able to withstand the pounding of the elements.  At the same time, the clear walls provide persons inside with excellent visibility of their surroundings while the roof shelters them from direct sunlight.

What Are Forklift Booms

Posted on by June 22, 2012

Fork Lift BoomsWhat are fork lift booms?

It is a type of fork lift attachment made in the shape of a large, powerful, cylindrical arm that attaches to the forks of a forklift.  Its primary function is to extend the reach of a forklift and allow it to pick up heavy loads that are oddly shaped or not on pallets.  In many respects, a boom attachment combines the function of a fork truck and a small crane.

How do they operate?

Fork lift booms fit directly over the tines on a forklift.  They are then secured with chains or clamps.  In basic models, the boom simply extends in from the front of the fork truck.  More complex lines are built with a vertical riser that will lift the far end of the boom, just like a crane.  Different types of booms are either fixed length or telescoping.  Some models pivot from side to side; others remain pointed toward the front of the forklift at all times.

What are they used to move?Heavy Duty Commercial Forklift Boom Attachment

Fork lift booms are mostly used for lifting and moving very heavy items safely, quickly, and easily.  Because of the extra height they add to a forklift, they can access higher elevations like roofs of buildings.  They are often used to unload freight from open rail cars and flatbed truck trailers.  This reduces the time it takes to move freight into the warehouse.  Some heavy items, like barrels, are not stored on pallets, so normal fork trucks cannot safely lift them.  Booms are typically attached to fork trucks to move large heavy sections of pipe, heavy crates, and cylindrical objects like drums.  Many times too, fork truck boom attachments make it a lot easier to move large objects stored in hard to reach areas.

What types of advantages do fork lift booms offer over standard fork trucks, pallet jacks, or cranes?

They will definitely save you the money you would otherwise have to invest in a crane.  Compared to pallet trucks and fork trucks, they drastically improve the margin of safety when it comes to moving non-palletized loads and oddly shaped heavy loads.  When transporting products from one level to another, they are invaluable time savers in comparison to freight elevators.  Forklift attachment booms can be used by one licensed fork truck operator, so a small team can get a great deal accomplish without having to overextend its manpower.  When removing old HVAC systems, or installing new ones, they are very effective.

Is An Industrial Pallet Jack A Heavy Duty Pallet jack

Posted on by June 19, 2012
Is an industrial pallet jack a heavy duty pallet jack?
No.  Many people use the two terms synonymously, but the term industrial really means that these material handling products are used in storage areas, factories, and warehouses.  Both light weight and heavy duty models feature the same basic design: two forks that slip under a pallet, lift it off the ground, and allow it to be moved to another location.  Most pallet trucks now have forks that adjust laterally so that pallets can be gripped from the inside prior to being lifted.
What types of power do they use?
Some are completely manually powered, with a hydraulic jack that is pumped by a handle, and the unit is pushed or pulled by hand.  However, newer designs now feature power assisted units that get the wheels moving so that the operator does not have to strain to create sufficient force to start them rolling.  Many powered units operate on gas or electric power and do all the lifting, forward motion, and reverse motion automatically.
Which type is better?
If you invest in an ergonomic manual model, you can easily move a load weighing over two tons safely.  The advantage of using an industrial pallet jack that has no motor is that it has fewer complex parts that can fail.  However, no matter how ergonomic such a unit is, there is still a certain amount of physical force that is required to move the jack and the load.  With electric and/or gasoline powered pallet trucks, you never have to use any physical force to lift or push the unit.  Also, the user friendly controls make maneuvering the pallet more like driving a vehicle than pushing a large load with a tool.
Are the powered, heavy duty models worth the investment?
If you have very large loads, or oddly sized loads, yes.  You’ll find that electric or gas powered units are easier to maneuver in all directions.  This improves process flow by minimizing collisions, and it is far safer for the operator as well because there is no need to apply muscle power to moving the load.
Do you have industrial pallet jacks for specialized applications?
Yes.  Some industries, like the food distribution industry or the pharmaceuticals industry, require clean rooms for storage and processing.  We recommend using stainless steel pallet trucks for these areas.  There are also pallet jacks made for moving long materials safely in a lateral as well as linear direction, and units that feature built in scales.

Is an industrial pallet jack a heavy duty pallet jack?No.  Many people use the two terms synonymously, but the term industrial really means that these material handling products are used in storage areas, factories, and warehouses.  Both light weight and heavy duty models feature the same basic design: two forks that slip under a pallet, lift it off the ground, and allow it to be moved to another location.  Most pallet trucks now have forks that adjust laterally so that pallets can be gripped from the inside prior to being lifted.

What types of power do they use?Some are completely manually powered, with a hydraulic jack that is pumped by a handle, and the unit is pushed or pulled by hand.  However, newer designs now feature power assisted units that get the wheels moving so that the operator does not have to strain to create sufficient force to start them rolling.  Many powered units operate on gas or electric power and do all the lifting, forward motion, and reverse motion automatically.

Which type is better?If you invest in an ergonomic manual model, you can easily move a load weighing over two tons safely.  The advantage of using an industrial pallet jack that has no motor is that it has fewer complex parts that can fail.  However, no matter how ergonomic such a unit is, there is still a certain amount of physical force that is required to move the jack and the load.  With electric and/or gasoline powered pallet trucks, you never have to use any physical force to lift or push the unit.  Also, the user friendly controls make maneuvering the pallet more like driving a vehicle than pushing a large load with a tool.

Are the powered, heavy duty models worth the investment?If you have very large loads, or oddly sized loads, yes.  You’ll find that electric or gas powered units are easier to maneuver in all directions.  This improves process flow by minimizing collisions, and it is far safer for the operator as well because there is no need to apply muscle power to moving the load.

Do you have industrial pallet jacks for specialized applications?Yes.  Some industries, like the food distribution industry or the pharmaceuticals industry, require clean rooms for storage and processing.  We recommend using stainless steel pallet trucks for these areas.  There are also pallet jacks made for moving long materials safely in a lateral as well as linear direction, and units that feature built in scales.  round a store or warehouse.

What Benefits Do Forklift Booms Offer

Posted on by June 19, 2012
What is a fork lift boom attachment?
It is a tubular extension that converts your forklift into a mobile crane that can handle odd sized loads, rounded loads, and long loads.  Most booms are telescoping with two hook points.  Some models are designed for heavy duty application and have up to 13 hook points.
How does a forklift boom operate?
It attaches to a forklift and extends out in front of it.  Hooks on its underside attach to various objects, which it lifts like the arm of a crane.
Where are fork lift boom attachments used?
They are used in warehouses, construction sites, equipment yards, and loading areas.
What are they used for?
They are used to load logs onto flat bed trailers.  In many shipping yards, they are used to load and unload pipes and barrels that cannot be safely lifted with fork hooks or pallet jacks.  They are used to erect metal building walls and set roofs on top of those walls.  Many home builders also use them to set wooden trusses.  Inside of warehouses, any item that cannot be safely moved with a pallet rack or a fork truck can be lifted and moved with a forklift boom attachment.  In equipment yards, they are often used to quickly move things around to clear space for incoming loads or vehicle traffic.  Many shipping companies also use them to offload crates from flatbed trailers or flatbed railcars.
What benefits do fork lift boom attachments offer an organization?
They get many material handling jobs done faster and easier with a much lower risk of injury.  They save companies thousands of dollars that would otherwise be spent on the procurement of cranes because they basically turn fork trucks into mobile cranes.  One licensed forklift driver can do many different things with these and other forklift attachments, so a small crew can devote the majority of its workers to other tasks.  They also make it safe for forklift drivers to handle loads of varying height and odd dimensions.   On low-rise construction sites, they make it easier to complete projects on time by getting materials to higher floors and building roofs without having to wait for an available freight elevator and hope that whatever workers need to load on it will fit.
What is the weight capacity of the smallest fork lift boom attachment?  The largest?
That depends upon the intended application.  Businesses should carefully asses their lifting requirements before purchasing a fork truck boom.  Easy Rack representatives can help select a boom whose maximum weight capacity exceeds the largest object that a business needs to move.

What is a fork lift boom attachment?It is a tubular extension that converts your forklift into a mobile crane that can handle odd sized loads, rounded loads, and long loads.  Most booms are telescoping with two hook points.  Some models are designed for heavy duty application and have up to 13 hook points.
How does a forklift boom operate?It attaches to a forklift and extends out in front of it.  Hooks on its underside attach to various objects, which it lifts like the arm of a crane.

Where are fork lift boom attachments used?They are used in warehouses, construction sites, equipment yards, and loading areas.
What are they used for?They are used to load logs onto flat bed trailers.  In many shipping yards, they are used to load and unload pipes and barrels that cannot be safely lifted with fork hooks or pallet jacks.  They are used to erect metal building walls and set roofs on top of those walls.  Many home builders also use them to set wooden trusses.  Inside of warehouses, any item that cannot be safely moved with a pallet rack or a fork truck can be lifted and moved with a forklift boom attachment.  In equipment yards, they are often used to quickly move things around to clear space for incoming loads or vehicle traffic.  Many shipping companies also use them to offload crates from flatbed trailers or flatbed railcars.

What benefits do fork lift boom attachments offer an organization? They get many material handling jobs done faster and easier with a much lower risk of injury.  They save companies thousands of dollars that would otherwise be spent on the procurement of cranes because they basically turn fork trucks into mobile cranes.  One licensed forklift driver can do many different things with these and other forklift attachments, so a small crew can devote the majority of its workers to other tasks.  They also make it safe for forklift drivers to handle loads of varying height and odd dimensions.   On low-rise construction sites, they make it easier to complete projects on time by getting materials to higher floors and building roofs without having to wait for an available freight elevator and hope that whatever workers need to load on it will fit.
What is the weight capacity of the smallest fork lift boom attachment?  The largest?That depends upon the intended application.  Businesses should carefully asses their lifting requirements before purchasing a fork truck boom.  Easy Rack representatives can help select a boom whose maximum weight capacity exceeds the largest object that a business needs to move.