Like fingerprints and snowflakes, no two warehouses are the same. Large and small, wide aisles and narrow, tall shelves and short- there are plenty of variables, and all of them can have an impact on what you need your forklift to do.
We’ve discussed the considerations for forklifts and your facility before- the capacity of the loads your truck will be moving; ventilation (electric vs. combustion engine); how many loads and the number of shifts per day; stocking vs manufacturing warehouse; how high materials will be stacked; width of aisles; what type of floor (marking vs non-marking tires).
What if you’re in a smaller warehouse in a growing company, and you know your warehouse will be expanding. Can you plan ahead for that?
The simple answer is yes, but it takes some anticipation.
Consider everything we’ve discussed before- those items above- and add to that list the company you’re purchasing your truck from. You’ll need a reliable dealership to grow your company.
It’s a common trend for warehouses to grow vertically, and you can absolutely plan ahead for it. The lifts of choice for vertical expansion are electric reach trucks and so-called “order-pickers,” not traditional forklifts but maybe the best machines to grow with your facility. Even scissor lifts can get you up where your employees need to be.
The other good news here, thought it comes with a warning, is that you can swap out the mast on your existing forklift. You can’t put a mast from another manufacturer on a forklift, and you can’t put a mast from a cushion-tired truck on a pneumatic-tired truck. Do your research. Also, masts must be suitable for the same load rating- for example you can’t put a 5,000-pound mast on a 6,000-pound unit.
Here’s the warning, and it’s a big one. Changing a mast is an extremely dangerous thing to do. You need a crane and another forklift and this should really only be attempted by trained professionals.
That’s where we come in. Call us if you have any questions about growing your facility and how it relates to your forklift. We can absolutely help.