Types of Material Handling Equipment

Material handling equipment is an investment that can boost your operational efficiency. Every machine serves a different purpose, helping you move raw materials and finished products throughout every stage of your supply chain.

While forklifts, pallet jacks, telehandlers and order pickers seem similar, they each serve specialized purposes and offer different advantages. Choosing material handling machinery is vital for optimizing your facility’s vertical space, maintaining operator safety and transporting items as quickly as possible.

What Is Material Handling Equipment?

Any machines, tools, automated systems and storage units that manage products within a warehouse fall under the category of material handling equipment. Warehouses, industrial facilities and distribution centers rely on this gear to move, control and protect their inventory and supplies. From forklifts to specialized order pickers, material handling equipment keeps manufacturing, distribution and disposal operations moving smoothly.

Storage

Warehouse storage equipment holds your materials until you are ready to use, relocate, process or distribute them. It keeps your products accessible while maximizing your facility’s space. Racks and shelves are advantageous because they allow you to build upward, occupying vertical space that would otherwise go unused.

Load Formation

Load formation equipment groups individual items into single, stable units. Depending on the types of materials and products you handle, you may need some or all of the following load formation equipment and supplies:

• Pallets
• Bins
• Crates
• Totes
• Boxes
• Palletizers
• Stretch wrappers
• Strapping machines

This equipment expedites the loading process by allowing you to move multiple objects simultaneously. It also helps you secure items during storage and processing.

Positioning

Positioning equipment moves materials within and throughout a single location or area. It allows you to retrieve items, put them in storage and adjust their placements on shelving units. This equipment is essential for optimizing storage space and achieving the ideal material positioning for subsequent processing.

Positioning equipment boosts productivity. Selecting equipment that meets your facility’s needs and layout reduces the need for manual labor, allowing your workers to move more materials with less fatigue. Positioning equipment can also increase worker safety, prevent product damage and reduce human error.

Transport

Transport equipment refers to the industrial trucks that move your raw materials, pallets and products from one location to another. This type of machinery moves materials over longer distances, such as between different facilities or from loading docks to storage areas. Some transport equipment doubles as positioning equipment and vice versa. Consider a machine’s speed and ideal traveling distance to decide what to buy.

What Are Pallet Jacks?

Electric pallet jacks are material handlers that move merchandise from storage to processing. They are low-lift machines designed to transport full pallets. Pallet jacks let you easily stack and move merchandise throughout your warehouse, saving storage space and keeping your processes moving efficiently.

Pallet jacks are ideal for managing palletized goods and large order volumes in tight spaces. You can choose from the following pallet jack types based on your application and specific needs.

Walkie Pallet Jack

A walkie pallet jack gets its name from the fact that an operator walks behind or beside it as it moves throughout the warehouse.

Walkie pallet jacks come in various sizes, and smaller models are highly maneuverable in tight spaces. This equipment also enhances operator and product safety because it operates at low speeds that minimize the risk of collisions and are easy for operators to keep up with.

Electric walk-behinds require minimal manual labor, and they allow operators to clearly see their surroundings as they move around the warehouse. Rather than pumping the jack, operators press a button to lift materials. Since this type of pallet jack is battery-operated, it requires regular charging and maintenance.

Walkie pallet jacks are an excellent option for operators who require frequent mobility and unobstructed sight lines. Opt for this equipment to facilitate efficient material flow in a small or crowded warehouse.

Rider Pallet Jack

A rider pallet jack is similar to the walkie pallet jack, but the operator sits on a platform instead of walking behind the equipment, maneuvering it with a few simple controls. Rider pallet jacks tend to be heavier than walkie pallet jacks, and they can carry heavier loads. This option is excellent if operators need to travel longer distances on smooth terrains. It’s also a wise choice for larger warehouses.

Walkie Rider Pallet Jack

A walkie rider pallet jack features a platform for an operator to stand on while using it. Similar to walkie and rider pallet jacks, it’s an electrically powered machine that helps operators move easily. The standing platform helps workers see clearly, as it keeps the lifted materials out of their direct line of sight during transport. This platform sits between the equipment’s front-facing operation tools and the materials it lifts.

Walkie rider pallet jacks are ideal for medium- to long-distance, high-throughput horizontal transport. They can quickly transport heavy loads and help operators conserve energy in busy environments. They are most common in the following applications:

• Low-level order picking
• Dock loading and unloading
• Fast-paced, heavy-duty warehouse tasks

Stacker Pallet Jack

A stacker pallet jack is a walk-behind device that lifts pallets vertically. This equipment combines the capabilities of a pallet jack and a forklift by moving and stacking pallets at various heights. A stacker pallet jack is another excellent option for small warehouses and narrow aisles, and it’s best if you need to place pallets on high shelving units.

What Are Pallet Trucks?

Many people use the terms “pallet jack” and “pallet truck” interchangeably, but they aren’t identical machines. The primary distinction between the two is that pallet jacks are automatic and pallet trucks are usually manual. Specifically, pallet trucks are the simplest kind of pallet handlers, requiring the operator to pump the jack to lift the materials.

Some industries use “pallet truck” to describe large, ride-on machines that function more like compact forklifts. These heavier-duty pallet trucks can move heavier loads, travel longer distances and operate inside and outside the warehouse.

What Are Lifts?

Material handling lifts and forklifts are heavy machines that transport, raise and lower loads vertically. They are specifically for handling heavy-duty loads, transporting products across longer distances and stacking materials on high shelves. They can handle heavier and bulkier loads than pallet jacks and order pickers can.

The following lifts support warehouse operations.

Reach Forklifts

Reach forklifts, also known as reach trucks, have a self-explanatory name. A reach forklift’s vertical movement helps it access various heights, and an extendable mast can retrieve or place pallets deep into shelves.

This forklift type is best for optimizing storage space in narrow areas, allowing you to store more materials while saving money. You can find reach forklifts in single- and double-reach configurations.

Standing Forklifts

A standing forklift allows operators to maneuver from a sideways-facing, standing position, which makes it easy for them to get on and off frequently. This forklift offers superior visibility, and it has a tighter turn radius than sit-down forklifts. Standing forklifts are ideal for frequent retrievals in high-traffic areas, narrow aisles and loading docks.

Typically, standing forklifts require operators to be more alert during use. Training each operator how to use the equipment is vital, as a standing forklift’s controls are slightly different from a sitting forklift’s system.

Order Picker Forklifts

Order picker forklifts are generally smaller than other forklift types. They are narrow and highly maneuverable, allowing operators to move vertically and hand-pick individual items that may be far off the ground. Order picking equipment is perfect for taking specific items from high pallets or shelving in tight, high-density areas.

Rough-Terrain Forklifts

Rough-terrain forklifts are ideal for maneuvering on uneven ground in outdoor settings. They are significantly larger than indoor forklifts and have pneumatic tires with a firm grip. A rough-terrain forklift is often necessary if your company handles oversized items or moves large volumes of materials outside.

Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are elevated work platforms. You can use a scissor lift to transport and lift materials, tools and personnel. It’s also an excellent option if you need to perform maintenance or arrange materials at moderate heights. Since individuals can stand on a scissor lift’s platform, workers can arrange items on tall shelving units.

What Are Telehandlers?

Telehandlers are versatile machines that combine a forklift’s maneuverability with a crane’s lifting capabilities. They can extend horizontally and vertically, helping you move, stack and store items at significant heights.

Telehandlers are excellent options if you need to handle heavy items, raw materials or large finished products. Use them to load and unload materials from trailers or transport heavy equipment across your warehouse. You can equip telehandlers with various attachments such as buckets to scoop loose materials.

What Are Turret Trucks?

By design, turret trucks are capable of maneuvering in very narrow aisles. A turret truck’s forks rotate 180 degrees, allowing operators to access materials on both sides of the truck. This material handling equipment is appropriate for order picking. Since it’s easy to use in tight spaces, it enables warehouse workers to pack shelving and items closer together.

Turret trucks can operate at high speeds, helping you move pallets quickly and efficiently. Opt for a turret truck if your facility’s aisles are narrower than the typical warehouse layout and you need to move products swiftly.

How to Choose Material Handling Equipment for Your Application

Consider the following factors when picking material handling equipment for your facility.

• Lift capacity: Choose a machine with the capacity to carry all the pallets, raw materials and other items you use daily.
• Equipment weight: Forklifts are available in a wide range of weights. Most of a forklift’s weight comes from the rear and serves as a counterbalance. The counterbalance must always be heavier than the materials you move to prevent tip-over accidents and protect operators from potential injury.
• Warehouse size and layout: How narrow are your aisles? How do you want to use vertical shelf space? Consider how much vertical and horizontal movement you need to maneuver, retrieve and place materials safely.
• Shelf height: It’s also vital to ensure your material handling equipment can reach your shelf heights safely.
• Speed and ideal travel distance: Consider how far you need to transport items. Pallet jacks are best for horizontal, short-distance travel within one location, while forklifts are better for longer distances and traveling between different locations.

Safety Considerations for Material Handling Equipment

No matter what material handling equipment you choose, training and safety precautions are crucial. Your employees should know how to use these tools without harming themselves, their colleagues and the equipment. Before operating a machine, carefully review the user’s manual for safety instructions. Pay close attention to load limits and inspection requirements.

Ensure each operator understands the equipment’s safety features and how to safely maneuver throughout your facility. Everyone who uses these machines should be able to safely start, stop and steer them, while simultaneously maintaining visibility and managing the machine’s weight to prevent tip-overs. A comprehensive training program gives workers the time and practice they need to operate equipment correctly and learn the warehouse’s layout.

Equip Your Warehouse With Dependable Material Handling Equipment

Material handling equipment affects your company’s efficiency, safety and productivity. Chicago Industrial carries a wide range of industrial forklifts, pallet jacks, warehouse picking equipment and telehandlers to help you manage your raw materials and inventory.

From Crown pallet stackers to Hyster forklifts, you can purchase new or used equipment from industry-leading brands. Since we are the largest aerial lift equipment and forklift dealer in the Midwest, you can count on us for quality products and services. We offer competitive pricing and financing options, so you can invest in equipment that fits your budget. Contact us to learn more about our equipment inventory and how we can help you choose the best options for your needs.