by Trey Barber, on October 7, 2022 at 10:08 AM
Everyone knows forklifts are designed to do the heavy lifting. So why do some operations use their forklifts like a U-HAUL – shuttling items from one part of their facility to another? There are cheaper, safer and more efficient ways to move product across a facility.
Before you buy your next lift truck, consider some of these forklift alternatives:
There’s nothing wrong with using a forklift to transport something over a short distance – taking pallets from a truck to a nearby staging area, for example. But using a forklift to deliver pallets throughout the facility is more expensive and riskier than using a forklift alternative such as a tow tractor.
Disadvantages of Using Forklifts
- Only certified operators may use a forklift, but any employee* can use a pallet stacker, tow tractor, pallet jack or conveyor system
- Forklift alternatives are cheaper and cost less to maintain
- Each time a forklift picks up product, damage may occur
- Thousands of people are injured by forklifts every year. Forklift-related incidents are in the list of most common OSHA violations year after year
- Relying on big machines means you can’t easily reconfigure your space
- Fluctuating fuel costs (for internal combustion forklifts) can play havoc with profitability
*Training is strongly recommended, but no certification or license is required
So how do you move heavy objects without a forklift?
Forklift Alternatives
Pallet Stacker
A pallet stacker, also known as a walkie stacker, is basically an electric pallet jack with a 2 or 3-stage mast. It’s the forklift alternative that’s the most similar to a forklift.
Pallet stackers can lift pallets up to 180 inches and handle loads up to 8,000 lbs. They’re ideal for moving pallets in narrow spaces or in locations with a lot of pedestrian traffic. A pallet stacker also allows you to unload a truck just about anywhere; no loading dock required.
Do you even need to lift, Bro?
Tow Tractor with Cart Caddies
Electric tugs, also known as tow tractors, are an extremely cost-effective way to move pallets around your facility. A tow tractor can transport a chain of pallets just about anywhere, including down narrow aisles and through pedestrian areas. Taylor Dunn tow tractors can handle loads up to 60,000 lbs.
Carts are easy to add and remove which can greatly improve efficiency. A tow tractor can drop off a cart with a pallet of material at any number of workstations and pick it up when the workers are done.
Toyota’s autonomous tow tractors take cost savings even further. These smart machines reliably follow a pre-programmed route and you don't have to pay for a software subscription or an operator.
Conveyor System
What’s the most popular forklift route in your facility? Do your operators drive back and forth from point A to point B throughout the day? High-throughput operations can save a lot of money and improve safety by replacing a forklift superhighway with a conveyor system.
Electric Pallet Jack
If forklift operators use their lift truck to move loads weighing 4,000 lbs. or less, that’s like using a fire hose to water your lawn. It works, but you’re using a lot more power than you need.
An electric pallet jack is easy to use and costs very little to maintain (Hangcha’s lithium-ion pallet jack is almost maintenance-free). Powerful AC motors minimize strain and ride-on options are available. Learn more about the benefits of electric pallet jacks.
Learn More About Going Forklift-Light
Going “forklift light” improves profitability, flexibility and creates a safer work environment.
- Imagine what it might be like if you didn’t have to limit pedestrian traffic in parts of your warehouse
- Or if you could rearrange your facility without buying an entirely new fleet
Interested in learning more? Contact us for a free site assessment. After getting to know your business, we’ll provide a few different ways you can reduce costs and improve safety. The friendly experts at Mid-Columbia Forklift and MidCo Material Handling take pride in helping businesses in Washington state find ways to be more successful.
You can also try before you buy. Rent a pallet stacker and find out if it’s a good fit for your operation. Contact us to learn more.
Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137
Related Reading:
Choosing Your Pallet Jack: Manual or Electric
4 Reasons You Need An Electric Walkie Pallet Jack
Polyurethane or Nylon Pallet Jack Wheels: Which Do I Need?
