by Jason Rigney, on January 2, 2024 at 9:13 AM
Washington apple growers face unique challenges during peak harvest seasons, as they must move their delicate products quickly while minimizing damage. The attachments and add-ons below are proven, cost-effective ways to reduce product loss during handling and transport.
Bin Dumpers
A bin dumper forklift attachment allows you to empty bins of apples directly into transport containers, sanitation bins, or other containers. Don't let the word "dump" throw you off. The emptying process is smooth and even. The bin stops at the top can be easily adjusted to accommodate varying bin sizes.
The Cascade bin dumpers we sell are also popular with wineries in Washington.
Bulk Harvest Bins
For moving fragile Gala and Honeycrisp apples, a specialized bin is essential. The best produce bins feature integrated fork pockets, a durable soft liner, and rounded corners. By choosing a more stable, forgiving place for your ripe apples to land, you can reduce damage and maximize profits.
Forklift Side Shifter
A forklift side shifter allows operators to shift their forks left or right to align with loads quickly and easily. This saves time by cutting down on repeated approaches to pallets and will help reduce handling time for your loads of produce.
Fork Positioner
A fork positioner allows operators to adjust their forks automatically, enabling entry for a variety of pallet sizes and fork configurations. For apple farms that use a variety of pallet sizes and types, this add-on will significantly boost productivity and throughput.
The forklift attachments and add-on equipment described above are some of the most popular with apple growers in Washington state, but we understand every operation is a little different. For questions or free advice, please contact the material handling equipment experts at MidCo Material Handling and MidColumbia Forklift. We'd love to learn more about your business and help you choose equipment that will benefit your business.
Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137
Related Reading:
Popular Forklift Attachments in Washington State
The Best Forklift Attachments to Improve Productivity
