Latest News

  • Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 
  • Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing
  • Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp
  • Post-Covid – Meeting the On-line & Warehouse Challenges of the New Normal
  • Jungheinrich AG to acquire Storage Solutions group to add strategic foothold in fast-growing U.S. warehouse automation market
  • Home
  • News
  • Materials Handling
  • Health & Safety
  • Notice Board
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Book Review
    • T.V.
    • Video
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Linked
    • Youtube

Prepare for the worst to minimise forklift maintenance costs this winter

Oct 26, 2015 Warehousing Ireland Health and Safety, Materials Handling, Materials Handling, News, News Comments Off on Prepare for the worst to minimise forklift maintenance costs this winter


Predictions on the severity of this year’s winter conditions may be as diverse as the British weather itself, but what remains certain is that businesses need to plan ahead for every eventuality.

According to leading materials handling solutions provider, Briggs Equipment, the fact that some of the worst conditions can strike when companies – particularly in the retail and logistics industries – are at their busiest makes forward planning all the more difficult.

“Of course, most businesses will already have effective plans in place to meet the Christmas rush,” explained Gavin Wickham Operations Director . “However, before these plans swing into action there are a few additional checks they need to make to ensure the risks posed by unforeseen events – including the weather – are kept to a minimum.”

The performance and reliability of even the very best forklifts or other pieces of materials handling equipment can be compromised by extreme weather, particularly snow and ice.

Although this is not a problem the UK faces every year, and rarely for more than a few days, failing to take any practical precautions can cost thousands, and not just in terms of lost productivity and penalties for failing to fulfil orders.

“As firms prepare for the seasonal rush it’s easy for operators to overlook some simple maintenance checks – leaving them open to some potential problems when they may be at their busiest,” Gavin said.

“There are some obvious checks, such as inspecting tyres, that many firms will have done already but there are other vital truck components they need to consider.

“Hoses that connect various hydraulic elements of the lifting system should also be checked at regular intervals as they naturally work loose over time.

“Tightening them up is a relatively simple process and is certainly a worthwhile thing to do now as they will be subject to intense pressure over the next few months. Failing to spot a loose connection could lead to a serious, but totally avoidable failure.”

Gavin also advises the following checks:

Make sure the coolant system in diesel engine trucks has a suitable concentration of anti-freeze.

Ensure oil and other lubricants are kept topped up to keep the truck running smoothly in the cold.

Check that the service schedule on all trucks is up to date and carry out daily checks on significant components.

Ensure that operators know how to use the equipment safely in adverse conditions and provide adequate training if necessary

However it’s not just the trucks themselves that need a health check, the operating environment should also be inspected before winter sets in

“Even a small dusting of snow can hide pot holes and other hazards which can cause significant damage to a truck so it’s important to identify, and preferably repair, any flooring defects before winter sets in,” adds Gavin.

“Of course, it also pays to have a plan in place to remove snow and ice from operational areas and run through it with staff to make sure it can be implemented quickly and effectively should snow put in an appearance this year!”

Tweet

  • tweet
Manitou: Q3 2015 Sales revenues drop Kalmar launches new-generation heavy forklift truck for US

Warehousing Ireland

Related articles
  • Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 
    Warehouse automation is at the heart of...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 

  • Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing
    Automation: the key to sustainable...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing

  • Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp
    Flexi Truck technology is at heart of...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp

More in this category
  • Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 
    Warehouse automation is at the heart of...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 

  • Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing
    Automation: the key to sustainable...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing

  • Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp
    Flexi Truck technology is at heart of...

    Feb 04, 2023 Comments Off on Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp


Tweets by @warehousingIrl

Recent Posts

Forklift market rebound causes gap between order intakes and shipments

Forklift market rebound causes gap between order intakes and shipments

Nov 24, 2021 Comments Off on Forklift market rebound causes gap between order intakes and shipments

Long-term forecast of global market in 2028 raised by 40% APAC accounts for 54% of 2021 forklift shipments E-commerce, digitalization, and electrification will drive the market  Updated...
The new Visuclean vinyl from Beaverswood

The new Visuclean vinyl from Beaverswood

May 01, 2021 Comments Off on The new Visuclean vinyl from Beaverswood

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Nov 14, 2020 Comments Off on New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Hyster Europe expands its range of electric counterbalance lift trucks

Hyster Europe expands its range of electric...

Sep 13, 2020 Comments Off on Hyster Europe expands its range of electric counterbalance lift trucks

Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained Without Fail

Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained...

Aug 09, 2020 Comments Off on Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained Without Fail

Recent Posts

Beaverswood has hazards and restricted area marking safely taped

Beaverswood has hazards and restricted area marking safely taped

Nov 05, 2022 Comments Off on Beaverswood has hazards and restricted area marking safely taped

Quick and effective highlighting of hazards and restricted areas in industrial premises and offices is provided by yellow/black self-adhesive marking tape, now available from workplace...
RHA launches tail lift safety guidance

RHA launches tail lift safety guidance

May 15, 2021 Comments Off on RHA launches tail lift safety guidance

Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following serious incident in Clonee warehouse

Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following...

Nov 22, 2020 Comments Off on Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following serious incident in Clonee warehouse

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Nov 14, 2020 Comments Off on New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

Jul 12, 2020 Comments Off on How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • Warehouse automation is at the heart of business continuity in 2023 
  • Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing
  • Flexi Truck technology is at heart of JD Group sportswear wholesaler’s storage system revamp
  • Post-Covid – Meeting the On-line & Warehouse Challenges of the New Normal
  • Jungheinrich AG to acquire Storage Solutions group to add strategic foothold in fast-growing U.S. warehouse automation market
  • New Warehouse facility at Good Hope Close, Normanton Industrial Estate, Yorkshire
  • The rise of the intelligent warehouse
  • Kivnon to introduce its versatile Forklift Pallet Stacker
  • World Record! ProGlove Makes It Into The Guinness Book Of World Records
  • Tesla moves into Garbe Industrial Real Estate property in Holzgerlingen
  • Industry Insight: Concrete foundations can release 21,315kg of CO2 
  • Tough Grit announces new workwear & hi-vis range
  • Forklift donated by Toyota MH boosts the flow of ‘Boxes of Hope’ humanitarian aid to Ukraine
  • GEODIS opens a new warehouse with 33.000 m² in the Nuremberg metropolitan region
  • Brambles ranked #1 for industry category in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
Copyright 2020 Warehousing Ireland / All rights reserved