You only need to look around any warehouse or supply chain to see how important forklifts are. They are a crucial tool in many industries, but they can also represent a significant investment. Fortunately, there are ways that you can improve your efficiency and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing performance or safety. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your machines:

Choose The Right Forklift For The Job

It makes sense to have the right tool for the job. The same logic goes for choosing the makeup of your forklift fleet. For example, if you are regularly lifting heavy items to a significant height then a counterbalance forklift might be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking to make the most of your warehouse space and maximise storage capacity then a very-narrow aisle forklift will be a better solution for you. 

Train your operators

Properly trained forklift operators are essential for running forklifts cost-effectively. They should know how to operate the forklifts safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of accidents and damage to the forklift. Operator training should cover topics such as load handling, forklift maintenance, and safe operating procedures. Effective training will also give your operators the knowledge to spot issues before they become major problems. 

Perform regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is critical to keeping your forklifts running smoothly and cost-effectively. This includes routine inspections, oil changes, and replacing worn parts. Preventive maintenance can help identify and fix problems before they become more significant issues, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Monitor fuel consumption

Monitoring fuel consumption can help you identify areas where you can save money. For example, if you notice that one forklift is using more fuel than others, it might indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. Additionally, you can implement practices such as turning off the forklift when it’s not in use and reducing unnecessary idling time to save fuel.

Optimise Your Warehouse Layout

The layout of your warehouse can be a huge factor in helping your forklifts operate more efficiently, reducing fuel and maintenance costs. This includes minimising the distance that forklifts need to travel to pick up and move loads, reducing the number of turns and intersections that forklifts need to navigate, and optimising the placement of racks and storage areas to suit the machines you are using. 

At Dawsongroup | material handling we are able to identify performance improvements in your warehouse operation but with our range of specialist very narrow aisle equipment we can help you to maximise your capacity and minimise the empty air space in your warehouse whilst streamlining the number of machines you actually require. This is important. You don’t want to over-capitalise on the number of machines your operation needs to run smoothly. 

If you are interested to learn more about how you can better use the vertical space in your warehouse then get in touch with our team.