Forklift attachments are crucial to the smooth-running of any warehouse. Where you might have the right equipment, it can always be complemented by the right attachments, enabling a warehouse employee to get the job done without you having to spend copious amounts of money on brand new, state-of-the-art machinery.
Essentially, forklift attachments can improve the productivity and efficiency of your workers and so you may well notice that work output is increased and morale is boosted thanks to the forklift attachments that can make short work of strenuous, manual tasks. So what forklift attachments are available to you and how can they benefit you and your warehouse operations?
Fork positioners
These are a popular choice with warehouse owners. Fork positioners allow the forklift operator to adjust the distance between the forks automatically in order to cater for pallets and loads of different shapes and sizes.
Without the automatic positioning capability that comes as standard with fork positioners, the operator would have to position the forks manually which could take a considerable amount of time. Increase productivity and cut the time it takes for tasks to be completed in half with the addition of fork positioners.
Clamps
Forklift clamps come in a variety of different configurations, but that being said, they all serve the same purpose and that’s to effortlessly handle large, heavy loads or misshapen packages. This can help to prevent damage done to inventory as well as protect your workers from injury. Some of the most common forklift clamps include the following:
- Paper roll clamps
- Harbour clamps
- Carton clamps
- Drum clamps
- Pipe clamps
- Paper roll clamps
Spreader beams
Spreader beams, also known as spreader bars, are often attached to machines that have a limited load bearing capacity when the configuration is horizontal. This is especially useful for those who wish to handle heavy or unusually shaped loads in the aforementioned way. As such, the forks themselves need to be well-equipped to deal with such a task and that’s why spreader beams are so popular with warehouse owners.
Not only can they lift, transport and unload stock of different shapes, sizes and weights, but they can also hold additional weight and still be stable enough to carry unbalanced loads. This helps to protect stock from damages and prevent your warehouse workers from coming to any harm.
Fork rotators
These are most commonly used throughout industrial facilities for disposing of waste. The rotators themselves are fixed to a rotating apron, thus allowing the forklift operator to seamlessly rotate the forks anywhere between 180-360 degrees.
This then allows waste to be dumped, with precision, into the relevant receptacles. If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint, then fork rotators would be the best option for sorting your waste and having it disposed of responsibly.
Cages together with work & access platforms
Cages and platforms of any kind will allow forklift operators and their colleagues to safely access materials and inventory, especially if they’re stored on particularly high levels. It works whereby one worker will stand on the platform and the other will operate the forks, raising it to the required height.
The person standing on the platform will retrieve the items and the operator will then lower the forks back down to ground level. It’s important to note that two trained warehouse employees will be needed to perform this task in this way.
Side shifters
Side shifters are used most often in modern material handling applications, enabling loads to be moved, with ease, from side to side, as the name would suggest. With this particular forklift attachment, operators will be better equipped to line up the pallets ready for loading and transporting.
Not only do side shifters reduce damage done to inventory, but they also increase productivity and protect the racking from becoming broken or damaged also as it can cost a considerable amount to repair or replace them. It will also help to improve fuel consumption as well.
Multiple load handlers
These enable forklift operators to move either one or more pallets side by side. Some models will offer a hydraulic capability to make the job far easier, although others will not. Being able to move two or more pallets at once will be incredibly beneficial for particularly busy warehouses. They will essentially double productivity levels, ensuring operations are carried out as quickly as possible.
Fork extensions
Fork extensions fit over the forks of the machine, much like a sleeve, in order to enable the safe handling of large, heavy or awkwardly-shaped objects or loads. While they can’t replace a forklift that has particularly long forks, they will enable a smaller forklift to make short work of similar applications and warehouse tasks. The forklift driver can still operate the machine in much the same way with little additional training needed.
Push/pull attachments
These are most frequently used in warehouses that store food, beverages and consumer packaged goods. Using this attachment, products can be loaded effortlessly onto a slip sheet with the sole purpose of increasing shipping volume as much as possible. The push/pull attachment will load and unload stock by gripping the slip sheet in order to distribute as many goods as possible.
Hire Forklifts are experts in the material handling industry, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to draw upon. We pride ourselves on providing customers throughout the UK with flexible, affordable and transparent forklift hire contracts together with rental contracts for other pieces of warehouse equipment. Whether you need an electric, diesel or LPG forklift, a reach truck, order picker or pallet truck, we’ll have a solution that’ll suit your requirements. For more information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our team – we’re always happy to hear from you.
