Product category:
Industrial Vehicle Safety
News Release from: Combilift | Subject: 4-way forklift
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 November 2005
Combilifts prove efficacity for product
handling
Reduced loading times and improved handling of products are two of many benefits experienced by Service Metals since it took delivery of a Combilift 4-way forklift earlier this year.
Service Metals is the largest independent stockist of aluminium extrusions and other materials for the commercial vehicle sector, supplying CV bodybuilders throughout Europe Initial research into the new handling system was triggered primarily by the introduction of a new product into Service Metals' range - Vetralite panels
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 18 Dec 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Whilst being a lighter alternative than other materials, the panels are delivered on 8 x 2.5m pallets, and posed an almost insurmountable challenge for counterbalance forklifts or sideloaders.
Additionally, the company ideally wanted one flexible forklift capable of offloading and handling its other products - 6-10m lengths of galvanized steel and 10 x 2.5m loads of steel GRP for example - both inside and out.
According to works managers Paul Holmes and David Oakley, the sideloader previously in residence was "too big, not manoeuvrable enough, and required a massive turning circle." Taking a lead from its affiliated company Truck Roofs in Leeds who were already using a Combilift, Service Metals arranged a demonstration and immediately spotted the truck's potential to improve operations.
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A 4.8 tonne capacity LPG powered Combilift was specified, with a larger than standard wheelbase and wider fork span due to the dimensions of the loads handled.
A cradle type attachment which rests on the forks is also used to simplify the handling of strapped packs of GRP panels.
A host of advantages has been registered in the short time the Combilift has been deployed.
It now takes just two hours to unload a typical five tonne delivery, rather than a whole afternoon, which, with an average of 35 deliveries a week, represents vast time savings.
This has also had a knock on effect of reducing overtime payments.
The all-round visibility from the Combilift cab is far superior to that of sideloader, and has enabled more rationalised use of personnel, as a second operative is no longer needed to guide the driver as was previously the case.
As Paul Holmes points out, this has improved safety procedures as well as making operations much quicker.
Both works managers agree that the Combilift is a robust and much more effective solution.
Handling around 15 - 20 tonnes of material on a daily basis, it offloads incoming deliveries outside, moves extrusions and sheet material around the works, stores and picks galvanized steel on outside racking and reloads finished items for delivery.
Its manoeuvrability has also enabled the introduction of night-time loading of product due to its ability to work around two delivery trucks parked in a relatively small area inside the premises.
"We were aware that the Combilift was versatile", says David Oakley, "but it has proved to be even more so than we expected".
"It really does the job of three trucks and has greatly improved efficiency".
The Combilift range covers models with load capacities from 2.5 to 12 tonnes, with various power options and attachments.
Design engineers at the Co Monaghan manufacturing plant also offer a free warehouse layout service designed to show companies how to make the best possible use of their available storage space.
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