In the fast-paced world of the material handling industry, having access to reliable equipment is crucial for businesses to operate efficiently and maintain a competitive edge. Many people may ask if forklift rentals are right for their business. While purchasing equipment may seem like the traditional route, renting equipment has emerged as a viable and advantageous option for many companies. In this blog, we will explore the numerous benefits of renting equipment in the material handling industry, highlighting why it is a smart choice for businesses looking to optimize their operations.

1. Cost Savings:
One of the primary benefits of renting equipment is the significant cost savings it offers. Purchasing heavy-duty material handling equipment can be a substantial investment, requiring a considerable amount of capital upfront. On the other hand, renting equipment allows businesses to avoid these hefty upfront costs and instead allocate their financial resources to other critical areas of their operations. Renting also eliminates the need for long-term maintenance expenses, repairs, storage, and depreciation costs, which can add up significantly over time.

2. Flexibility and Scalability:
The material handling industry is known for its changing demands, seasonal fluctuations, and varying project requirements. Renting equipment provides businesses with the flexibility to adapt quickly to these fluctuations. Whether you need additional equipment to meet a sudden surge in demand or require specialized machinery for a specific project, renting allows you to scale your operations up or down as needed, without being tied down by the constraints of owning equipment. This flexibility is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses that may not have the financial means to purchase and maintain a large fleet of equipment.

3. Access to the Latest Technology:
Technology in the material handling industry is constantly evolving, with new and more advanced equipment hitting the market regularly.  By renting, even at a low cost you can utilize state-of-the-art equipment that incorporates the latest features and advancements, thereby enhancing your operational efficiency, productivity, and safety measures.

4. Reduced Downtime and Maintenance Hassles:
Equipment breakdowns and maintenance can significantly impact productivity and result in costly downtime for businesses. When you rent equipment, you can rely on the rental company to provide well-maintained and serviced machinery. In case of any issues, rental companies usually offer prompt support and repairs, minimizing your downtime and allowing you to focus on your core business activities. Additionally, routine maintenance and inspection tasks are often taken care of by the rental company, saving you time and effort in managing equipment upkeep.

Renting equipment in the material handling industry offers businesses numerous benefits that can positively impact their bottom line and operational efficiency. From cost savings and flexibility to accessing the latest technology and reducing maintenance hassles, renting allows companies to optimize their resources and adapt swiftly to changing market demands. By partnering with the rental team here at SIE businesses can ensure access to well-maintained, reliable equipment that meets their specific requirements. Call today at (704) 399-9700 or fill out an online form here to reserve your rental.

Forklifts are designed to be durable and reliable, but like any other machinery, they require regular maintenance to function at their optimal level. Forklift maintenance can be categorized into two types: planned maintenance and full maintenance. In this blog, we will explore the difference between these two types of maintenance for forklifts.

Planned Maintenance

Planned maintenance is also known as preventive maintenance. It involves a regular schedule of maintenance tasks that are performed on the forklift to prevent breakdowns and extend the lifespan of the equipment. These tasks may include inspecting and lubricating the forklift’s moving parts, replacing worn-out parts, and checking the battery, brakes, and hydraulic system. Planned maintenance is usually scheduled at regular intervals, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, the intensity of usage, and other factors. The frequency of planned maintenance can range from daily to annually, depending on the type of forklift and its usage. The advantage of planned maintenance is that it helps to prevent breakdowns and prolong the lifespan of the forklift. By detecting and repairing minor issues early, it reduces the risk of major breakdowns and expensive repairs in the long run. Planned maintenance also ensures that the forklift is always in good working condition, which increases safety and efficiency in the workplace.

Full Maintenance

Full maintenance, on the other hand, is also known as corrective maintenance. It involves repairing or replacing parts that have failed or malfunctioned due to wear and tear or other reasons. Full maintenance is usually performed after a breakdown or when the forklift is not functioning correctly. Full maintenance is more expensive than planned maintenance because it involves diagnosing the problem, sourcing for replacement parts, and carrying out repairs. Full maintenance can also take longer than planned maintenance, depending on the extent of the repairs needed. The advantage of full maintenance is that it ensures that the forklift is functioning correctly and safely. It also helps to prevent further damage to the forklift and extends its lifespan. However, full maintenance can be costly, time-consuming, and disruptive to the workplace.

 

In conclusion, both planned maintenance and full maintenance are essential for the proper functioning and longevity of forklifts. While planned maintenance focuses on preventing breakdowns and prolonging the lifespan of the equipment, full maintenance involves repairing or replacing parts that have failed or malfunctioned. Planned maintenance is more cost-effective and less disruptive to the workplace, while full maintenance is essential when breakdowns occur or when the forklift is not functioning correctly. A well-planned maintenance schedule is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of forklifts in the workplace. To request service on your forklift you can submit an online request here.

Yard trucks, also known as yard jockeys, spotter trucks, and terminal tractors are designed to quickly move trailers and containers throughout a facility. They are commonly seen in ports, truck terminals, and other cargo facilities. However, these vehicles are becoming more and more popular in businesses such as large warehouses and distribution centers. Capacity produces top of the line yard trucks that will be sure to improve efficiency in your business.

There are many reasons why you should use a yard truck at your facility. These vehicles were carefully designed to maximize performance and production. A yard truck allows you to move 3-4 times more trailers per hour than if you were using a more traditional truck. This is due to the features built into to a capacity yard truck such as the easy hook up system and the sliding back door with a catwalk. This cuts down on time spent manually raising and lowering trailer stands as well as the time getting in and out of the cab. Along with saving time, these features also can prevent serious injuries to employees and damage to property. To see some of these features in action click the link here.

Yard trucks are also highly maneuverable and can put trailers in places that semi-trucks can’t. This is due to the shorter wheelbase and tight turning radius of the truck. This allows for easier navigation in tight areas and can speed up productivity throughout a busy day. These features along with the ability to operate without a CDL provide maximum efficiency. Your operators will appreciate the greater speed, precision, and safety they will have while moving trailers with a Capacity yard truck. To learn more about these amazing vehicles you can talk to one of our equipment experts by calling us at (704) 399-9700 or emailing us at contacts@sielift.com.

A busy warehouse can at times be a very dangerous place. With vehicles, pedestrians, and not a lot of free space it can become overcrowded. This can lead to serious accidents in the workplace resulting in the injuries or even deaths of employees. The National Safety Council reported forklifts as the cause for 7,290 injuries and 78 deaths in 2020. These deaths resulted in an average cost of $44,000 for each non-fatal injury and $1,310,000 for fatal accidents. Thankfully, technological advances have made it safer to work in a busy warehouse.

Toyota’s Smart Environment Sensor (SEnS) is a feature that is making warehouses safer for both operators and pedestrians. This device uses rear-mounted sensors that scan the warehouse for potential hazards including pedestrians and obstacles. It then alerts the forklift operator of the hazards up to 32 feet away and tells them the distance from the forklift. SEnS allows for three customizable detection zones to fit your exact needs. The system also uses a buzzer alarm and four warning lights that are activated when the forklift gets close to an object. These lights and buzzer differ by each detection zone and will be able to help your operators avoid obstacles in the warehouse.

SEnS is compatible with many models of Toyotas including:

• 3-wheel electric forklifts
• Core electric forklifts
• Core IC cushion forklifts
• Large IC cushion forklifts
• Core IC pneumatic forklifts
• Mid IC pneumatic forklifts
• Large IC pneumatic forklifts
• Box car special forklifts
• Paper roll special forklifts

The SEnS is the perfect upgrade to improve the safety of your facility and prevent serious accidents. To learn about adding this system to your Toyota forklifts feel free to call us today at (704) 399-9700 and speak to one of our equipment experts.

The 3-Wheel electric forklift from Toyota is an innovative and durable piece of equipment that will help your business flourish. With industry best lead times for this vehicle, you could get your own in only 10 weeks! This forklift has many unique strengths and components that make it special, and it will be a great addition to any indoor operation. The most notable feature of this lift is the 3 wheeled design that it’s named after. Unlike a traditional 4- wheeled forklift, the 3-wheel forklift has two wheels in the front of the lift and only one rear wheel. This 3-wheel design allows for greater stability as well as easier navigation through narrow spaces.

A traditional forklift with 4 wheels can be prone to tipovers and other accidents. If they are loaded with too heavy of a load or are traveling at high speeds the forklift will be at risk of a dangerous tipover. OSHA reports that 24% of all forklift fatalities are caused by tipovers. This goes to show how serious of an issue tipovers can be. A 3-wheel forklift offers greater stability due to the triangular weight distribution its design offers. The single back wheel brings more weight to a central distribution making it more difficult for the vehicle to tip over. This is why 3-wheel lifts are not equipped with Toyota’s System of Active Stability, as the vehicle is already extremely stable on its own.

The single rear wheel also allows for a much smaller turn radius than a traditional forklift. This makes it possible for these vehicles to operate in aisles that would be too narrow for a 4-wheeled lift. It is able to operate comfortably in aisles that are ten foot wide, while a similar sized 4-wheeled electric lift would need a foot or more of extra space to properly operate. This allows for business owners to add more racks to their warehouse and better utilize their facility’s space.

If you place an order for a 3-wheel electric forklift you will have it in only 10 weeks. So call us today at (704) 399-9700 to speak to one of our equipment experts. To view our other forklift options, click here.

With the coldest winter months right around the corner, it is important to think about the effect of the weather on your equipment. There are a few steps that can be taken to ensure your equipment is running as smoothly as possible and can prevent serious downtime.

1. One easy way to take care of your equipment in the Winter is to allow the engines of equipment to warm up properly. It is recommended to start the engines of forklifts and other vehicles 10 minutes prior to the beginning of operation. This will make sure your equipment’s engine will be able to operate at peak efficiency when it’s time to work.
2. Another simple method to protect your vehicles is to properly store them in colder months. It may be best to store your outdoor forklifts inside during the colder parts of the year in order to protect them from the elements. Keeping equipment in enclosed storage areas and covered up will keep your equipment in much better condition than vehicles left out in the cold. A block heater may also be necessary to keep your equipment at an acceptable internal temperature.
3. It is important to slowly warm up your hydraulics when beginning operation of a forklift. Hydraulic fluid does not warm up while a forklift is idling, so it must be warmed up by the operator slowly moving the forks in and out. This will ensure that your hydraulic system is ready when it is time to lift heavy loads.
4. If you are using an electric forklift, it is important to remember the effect that cold weather has on the batteries of electric vehicles. In many cases extreme cold can greatly decrease the run time of a battery. This means you will need to account for more frequent battery charging and battery replacements. In order to keep your operation running smoothly it is important to account for these interruptions and be prepared for them.
5. Lastly, a step you can take to protect both your equipment and your employees is to grit your outdoor surfaces which will be operated on. Icey and snowy conditions can be very dangerous to operate heavy machinery in. If your operating areas have been properly gritted with rock salt or similar substances, you are less likely to have an accident caused by ice.

All of these steps will help you to protect your equipment in the winter months and allow our operation to keep running smoothly. To view our outdoor equipment such as pneumatic forklifts from Toyota click here.

In any business it is important to keep a facility clean and organized. The cleanliness of a facility gives your business a better image and can keep your customers and employees safer. However, it can become very time consuming to clean a large facility and this could lead to corners being cut. One solution to this problem is an industrial floor scrubber or sweeper. These powerful machines will allow your employees to clean the floor of your facility quickly and efficiently. The addition of an industrial scrubber can help your business improve its safety and lower its costs.

Safety

                Traditional cleaning methods such as a bucket and mop can lead to several safety issues in a workplace. Firstly, this method can leave behind spots of soapy water that can become a slipping hazard for employees. It’s been reported that 67% of falls in the workplace are a result of slips and trips at a walking level. Industrial scrubbers are designed with squeegee systems that collects the water that was used to clean, leaving a clean and dry floor.

Another aspect of safety to think about is the sanitation of the floor. With the increased global focus on health in the past few years, it is important to protect employees from germs as much as you can. A mop bucket is filled with the dirt and grime of the floor that is cleaning. Each dip of the mop into the bucket is spreading bacteria from the floor into the water, and while the surface that was being cleaned may look better, it may not safe. Industrial scrubbers on the other hand only clean with fresh water and are designed to kill germs. They will leave your floors looking great and will protect your staff from harmful bacteria.

Cost

                The costs of cleaning can be very high, and a rapidly growing business can find itself with too much space to properly clean. On average it takes a person with a bucket and mop around an hour to mop 5,000 square feet of space. A walk-behind scrubber in that same amount of time can clean 13,000 square feet of space and a rider scrubber can clean up to 100,000 square feet of space. This is a drastic increase in efficiency and could greatly lower the cost to clean your facility.

 

There are several equipment options from Tennant that are will be a great match for the needs of your business. With scrubbers, sweepers, and sweeper-scrubbers available in both walk behind and rider formats. They are built to withstand heavy use in numerous environments, and will help to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier workplace. To view our Tennant equipment, click here.

 

A large operation, such as a manufacturing plan, often requires a wide range of material handling equipment. One piece of equipment that is perfect for very large and spread-out facilities, is a burden carrier. These vehicles are used to carry or tow products throughout a workspace and are able to fit where most other industrial vehicles wouldn’t be able to. The Payloader from Columbia is a powerful and efficient burden carrier that could be a great benefit to your business due to its many functions.

 

1. Carrying Cargo

The payloader features a large flatbed section that is perfect for transporting cargo throughout your facilities. The carrying capacity for the payloader is 2,400 lbs. and can be upgraded to support up to 4,000 lbs. That is plenty of capacity for quickly hauling large parts or products through spaces that may be inconvenient to use a forklift in.

2. Towing

Along with being able to carry large loads in the flatbed, the payloader is also able to tow large amounts of weight throughout a facility. The standard version allows for a towing capacity of up to 6,500 lbs. and the super duty version allows for an incredible 18,000 lbs. of towing capacity. This feature can be a quick and easy way to move a massive amount of product across the campus of a large business.

3. Personnel transport

Payloaders can be fitted with seating and awnings to become powerful passenger carriers. The large weight capacity it offers means that it can transport a large number of passengers without adverse effects on the vehicle. The strong construction of the payloader will keep your staff and guests comfortable and safe throughout their ride.

With the ability to carry cargo, tow cargo, and transport passengers, the Payloader from Columbia is a versatile vehicle that can help your operation function as smoothly as possible. The power of a Payloader is all electric so you don’t have to worry about any harmful emissions and can save on fuel costs. You can view the payloader and all of our other Columbia vehicles here.

Stand-up forklifts are powerful and reliable machines that offer slightly different attributes to a traditional sit-down forklift. If you are having difficulties deciding between a sit-down or a stand-up forklift, an understanding of the strengths of a stand-up rider and a proper assessment of your operation and the needs required of a forklift should allow you to determine if a stand-up rider is right for your business.

1. Ability to operate in narrow aisles

The minimum aisle size for a sit-down forklift is generally around3 12-1′. Stand-up forklifts on the other hand, require a smaller turn radius and can efficiently operate in aisles much smaller than a traditional forklift. With the capability to operate in such narrow aisles you can maximize the space in your warehouse and increase the profits of your business.

2. Operators can quickly enter and exit the vehicles

Another useful perk of a stand-up forklift is the short amount of time needed to exit the vehicle. A traditional forklift requires an operator to put the forklift in park, unfasten their seatbelt and then climb out of the seat. While someone operating a stand-up forklift simply has to bring the vehicle to a stop and step out of it. This process is made completely safe by technology known as a “Deadman switch” that the operator stands on while driving. When they wish to turn off the vehicle, they simply step out and when there is no weight on the switch it shuts off the engine. While the 10-15 seconds saved in the exit process may seem miniscule, if your operators are having to enter and exit their forklifts very frequently than that time can add up to a significant amount.

3. You don’t have to sacrifice capacity

While stand-up forklifts may be smaller in size than sit-down forklifts, they oftentimes have very similar weight capacities. Due to the center of gravity of the stand-up forklift it can carry up to 5,000 lbs. without needing to increase in size and power. This allows you to receive all of the benefits of a standup forklift while keeping the weight capacity needed for many operations.

 

So, if your operation requires forklifts to navigate in narrow aisles, requires drivers to frequently exit vehicles, and you need a capacity of 5,000 lbs. or less, then a stand-up forklift may be a great solution. You can request a quote on a new Stand-up rider forklift from Toyota here.

A used forklift can be a great option for someone who needs a forklift on a tight budget or someone can’t wait for the lead time of a new forklift. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a used forklift. These factors include the model, hours, and required usage of the forklift. All the factors will allow you to better understand if a used forklift is right for you and your business.

How many hours should the lift have?

It’s important to understand the hours of a forklift and what the mean for the overall performance of the vehicle. One forklift operating hour is comparable to approximately 20 miles in a car. That means that a used forklift with 5,000 hours is similar to a used car with around 100,000 miles of use. Generally, the more hours that a lift has, the cheaper the price will be. Finding the forklift with the lowest number of hours for your price range is a big step in finding the right vehicle.

How often will you use the forklift?

The hours of the lift play an important role in its ability to operate long term. So before beginning the buying process you should have a good understanding of how much use your forklift will get throughout your ownership. For example, if you have a need to move heavy items a few times a day than a used forklift with many hours could work perfectly for you. However if your operation requires near constant use of a lift throughout the day than you may need to purchase something with less hours. If you only need to use your forklift sparingly than it could be possible to purchase a lift with more hours and save a large amount of your budget.

Which Model of Used Forklift should I choose?

The model of forklift required for your operations may affect whether or not a used forklift is right for you. Electric forklifts on average last longer than internal combustion forklifts and may be a safer used option. This is due to electric forklifts requiring fewer moving parts and therefore have less parts that could break. So, if you know that you need a used forklift to last longer than usual, a used electric may be the right choice. It also important to note the surface the forklift will be operating on, as well as the weight capacity the lift needs to have.

 

Used forklifts are an excellent option for those who need a more affordable option or those who cannot wait for the lead time of a new forklift. We are proud to offer a used inventory of over 90 used vehicles that are available for sale. You can view and request these vehicles here.