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 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.

Electric forklifts have steadily grown in usage over the years and now make up nearly 70% of all trucks sold. While internal combustion forklifts are also a great option for many material handling needs. There are many valuable advantages that can only come from using electric forklifts in your warehouse.

1. Noise Pollution

A busy warehouse can at times be an extremely loud environment. With multiple forklifts running in a confined area, it can become difficult for operators and pedestrians to properly communicate. However, electric forklifts produce a very low amount of noise and allow operators to better hear horns, employees, and other important sounds within the warehouse.

2. Narrow Aisle Maneuverability

It is important for a warehouse to maximize the space that is available. One way to gain space is to push the racks within a warehouse closer together. This gives you the ability to put in more shelves but has the drawback of narrower aisles that can cause difficulties to forklift operators. Generally, a full-size forklift is impossible to operate in these narrow aisles. Luckily Toyota offers many electric forklifts option that can operate in these tighter areas. The 3-wheel electric forklift can navigate 10-11’ aisles while still lifting up to 4,000 lb. There are plenty other electric options including reach trucks and stand-up riders that can maneuver through narrow aisles.

3. Zero Emissions

A downside of using internal combustion forklifts is the potentially harmful emissions that are produced by their engines. These emissions can be particularly damaging to food and other perishable items that may be stored in your warehouse. Toyota electric forklifts offer the perfect solution to this problem by producing zero emissions while still offering the power you need.

 

Toyota’s electric forklifts are a great investment for your business to help improve noise pollution, storage solutions, and the amount of emissions. With a wide range of electric products available, you are sure to find a piece of equipment that fits all your needs. These products will not only improve operations in your warehouse but will also help the overall environment.

 

With the sometimes-chaotic nature of a warehouse, it can be nerve-racking to have valuable items stored there. Fortunately, Southeast Industrial Equipment offers many warehouse safety features. This safety equipment can help to prevent costly accidents and protect your employees. These 5 safety features can help improve your warehouse’s safety.

1. Guard Rails

Strategically placed guard rails can help to mitigate damage within your warehouse. They protect the products being stored as well as the racking and shelves that the products are on.

2. Safety Mirrors

Forklifts in motion can create safety concerns within a busy warehouse. To protect forklift operators and pedestrians precautionary mirrors can be placed throughout your business. These mirrors allow pedestrians and operators and to see around corners. This can prevent dangerous collisions and help to keep your employees safe.

3. Flammable Safety Cabinets

Safe storage options for flammable liquids at your business can reduce risk of fires. Flammable safety cabinets allow you to store up to 18 gallons of flammable liquid at a time. They also feature adjustable shelving that can hold up to 500 lbs. of material. These cabinets offer reflective labeling for high visibility under fire conditions or power outages.

4. Safety Lights

There are many different safety light options that can be used to create a safer environment in your warehouse. Such as stop and go lights that can be used to direct traffic on a loading dock. There are also warning strobe lights available that can be magnetically fitted to forklifts and other vehicles. All these lights help to prevent accidents and injuries in your warehouse.

5. Pallet Rack Guard Net Systems

Guard nets can be placed across the backside of your pallet racks. They prevent products falling between racks and allow easy product visibility. These nets also protect traffic areas, reduce product damage, and improve employee safety all for an affordable cost.

To learn more about our available warehouse products call us at (704) 399-9700, email us at contacts@sielift.com, or view our full warehouse catalog.

 

One of the most common problems warehouse owners face is a lack of storage space. Without extensive changes to a building, there is no way to expand the horizontal area in your warehouse. An easy solution to this problem is to think vertically rather than horizontally. The vertical space within warehouses is something that has been overlooked in the past, but in recent years has become more widely used. This is thanks in part to new technology in equipment and racking solutions.

Similarly, to the way a parking garage takes a flat parking lot and builds it upwards, vertical racking in a warehouse capitalizes on the existing horizontal space in a warehouse. This change in storage can greatly increase the productivity and profits of your storage space. In 2020 the average price per square foot of warehouse space rose by 4.8% to $7.86 annually. For a 20,000 square foot facility you would be paying $157, 200 per year to rent your storage space. With proper vertical storage you could more than double the amount of storage area while paying the same amount of rent.

Southeast Industrial Equipment is proud to offer countless racking options for your warehouse. One of the most common approaches to organizing a warehouse is a selective pallet rack design. Our Pallet racking systems from Space + USA can be engineered to meet any volume, weight, or size requirement. With the strength to hold up to 7,100 lbs. per beam, you can feel confident your product will be safe and secure.

With this increase in vertical storage, there is a new need for equipment that will be able to operate within these changing conditions. Luckily, Toyota has a great line of products to operate at the heights required by modern warehouses. The moving mast reach truck allows for maneuvering in narrow aisles and with a mast height of up to 42 feet, it can reach your top-level shelves. This ability to reach great heights within narrow aisles opens up the possibility to use storage space that wasn’t possible before.

Toyota forklifts are available in many different models and specifications. There are many questions you need to ask yourself when choosing the right forklift for your business. One of the most important questions to ask is, which tire type is right for you? Some of the most common tire types for forklifts are cushion tires, air-filled pneumatic tires, and solid pneumatic tires. These options are suited for different conditions and jobs.

Unlike a traditional car or truck tire, cushion tires are made of solid rubber that is then fitted around wheel. These tires are more affordable to manufacture and are easier for owners to maintain. Due to the solid rubber construction of the tire, they do not have a large amount of traction, especially outdoors. Cushion tires are best suited for smooth indoor surfaces such as warehouses. Cushion tire forklifts are also useful in narrower conditions due to the smaller turn radius that is facilitated by the size of the tires. Cushion tires are a simple and effective tire option for use on smooth surfaces.

Pneumatic tires on the other hand are more similar to the tires found on a car or truck. They are larger and are often times filled with air like a traditional tire. This tire type is able to perform on uneven and rough terrains such as construction sites and lumber yards. The solid pneumatic option is made of solid rubber like the cushion tire but is larger and has a tread like that of a traditional pneumatic tire. These solid pneumatic tires are useful in conditions that may have a high risk of punctures. Whether you choose an air filled or a solid pneumatic option, the size and tread of these tires will allow your forklifts to travel over dirt and gravel while maintaining grip and stability. However, the tires will require a larger turn radius and larger wheels that may make navigating narrow aisles difficult.

When choosing which tire type is right for you, you must consider the needed load capacity, terrain of job site, and the amount of space to work within. All of these options are extremely effective in the conditions that they are suited to. If you have any question regarding which tire type would best fit your needs, feel free to send any questions to contacts@sielift.com or call us at (704) 399-9700.