Tag: Cost

The cost of ownership of a piece of equipment can be minimal when owning the right materials handling equipment coupled with a great planned maintenance program.

Check List to Check your Lift

Posted on by SIElift
Safety Checklist

Safety Checklist

A giant dent in your overhead guard is easy to spot at first sight, but what if there was a tiny leak from your propane valve? Would you be able to easily spot that? Chances are a busy operator could miss it. Planned maintenance isn’t the only thing that can be done to keep your equipment running in prime condition. In addition to planned maintenance, your operators should go through the daily operation checklist before each shift to ensure the piece of equipment is safe to operate.

Not only is it required by OHSHA, but a log will also help your operators be more aware and keep them accountable for how they treat the equipment, cutting down on misuse. If the lift needs a repair make sure you have the proper procedure in place.

  1. Tag the equipment inoperable (WARNING! DO NOT OPERATE!), make sure it is visible.
  2. Immediately notify the appropriate party.
  3. Keep the phone number of your repair service or person on the forklift.
  4. Log what needs repair, when the repair was made, and how much it cost to fix.

Tracking how often your forklift needs repair, as well as the cost, will keep you cognizant of your cost of ownership. If the machine is often out of service perhaps operators need further training operating the truck.

The greatest way a checklist will benefit your business and operators is safety. A truck should not be used when it is unsafe for operation. Forklifts are an investment in your company, and cost thousands of dollars; therefore a daily operator checklist is an easy way to prevent accidents and injury without spending money. Remember these machines literally weigh tons, with many moving parts, thus it is important to keep them in optimal condition.

The following is an example of a checklist OSHA suggests for your lift truck:

KEY OFF Procedures

  • The vehicle inspection
    • Overhead guard
    • Hydraulic cylinders
    • Mast assembly
    • Lift chains and rollers
    • Forks
    • Tires
    • LPG tank and locator pin
    • LPG tank hose
    • Gas gauge
  • Check the engine oil level
  • Examine the battery
  • Inspect the hydraulic fluid level
  • Check the engine coolant level

KEY ON Procedures

  • Test the standard equipment
    • Front, tail, and brake lights
    • Fuel gauge (if diesel)
    • Windshield wiper
    • Heater

ENGINE RUNNING Procedures

  • Check the gauges
    • Oil pressure indicator lamp
    • Ammeter indicator lamp
    • Ammeter
    • Hour Meter
    • Water Temperature Gauge
  • Test the standard equipment
    • Steering
    • Brakes
    • Horn
    • Safety seat (if equipped)
  • Check the operation of load-handling attachments
  • Check the transmission fluid level

Visit OSHA’s website for more information.

https://www.osha.gov/dte/library/pit/pit_checklist.html

What to Expect when Renting

Posted on by SIElift

Not sold on the idea of investing all your capital into one piece of equipment? Or maybe you have one specific task you need a forklift for. Don’t worry, you have options! As well as having material handling equipment for sale, we also have a rental fleet to meet your short or long term needs! We do daily, weekly and monthly rentals depending on your time frame.

Many companies prefer to rent long term instead of purchasing for budgeting reasons. Having a monthly rental payment is perfect for a new company with no credit, or a company that doesn’t want to pay a large upfront cost. Short term rentals are great to be able to get your projects completed without committing to purchasing equipment. To make sure we get you the equipment you need, we will need to make sure we have all the information. For example if you are renting a forklift we need to know:

  • Will the lift truck be used indoors or outdoors?
  • Do you need LPG (liquid propane gas), electric, or diesel?
  • What is the mast height requirement?
  • What capacity is needed?
  • What attachments will you need? (i.e. carton clamp, bale clamp, multiple load handler)
  • If you need forks, what size? We offer 36” forks to 96”.

To keep our units in prime condition they are all inspected, painted, labeled with OSHA compliant safety decals, and receive regular maintenance before being rental ready. The average age of our rental fleet is 3 years, with supplemental equipment being added each year to fit the needs of our customers.

Our rental fleet features Toyota forklifts, the number one lift truck in America since2002. With fuel efficiency and the System of Active Stability, you know your rental will be safe and reliable. If for any reason you do need maintenance, it is included for you.

We don’t only offer forklift rentals we have a wide variety of industrial equipment to fit your needs;  Genie scissor lifts, Capacity yard spotters, Advance Sweeper Scrubbers to name a few.

Call today to set up your rental, (866) 696-9125!

Toyota – Leader in being Green

Posted on by SIElift

greentoyota

“Toyota is committed to environmental responsibility, and it’s a role we take very seriously. Beyond pushing the bounds of product innovation, one of Toyota’s goals is to support environmentally appropriate and socially beneficial initiatives contributing to a cleaner environment.”

Brett Wood, Chairman of Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.
https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/reducing-our-carbon-footprint.aspx#sthash.FaOrtsFI.dpuf

Toyota Material Handling has always been a leader when it comes to protecting the environment. In 2009 Toyota introduced the first ever Hybrid forklift in Japan. It combines the best of electric and internal combustion technology, taking advantage of the strengths of each power source. The forklift combines an internal combustion engine, electric generator and battery in a design that allows the engine to operate with optimum fuel/emissions efficiency. The forklift shifts automatically between battery and engine modes, simultaneously recharging the battery during operation. The result is a forklift that cuts emissions in half and is twice as fuel efficient. They are always looking for innovative new ways to benefit the environment.

The 8-series LPG and Diesel lifts highlight Toyota’s leadership in being green. The 8-series exceeds federal EPA emission standards, and also complies with California’s emission standards. Emission standards in California are stricter than the federal EPA requirements. They’re more stringent on hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which become smog, from vehicles. California also has requirements that older construction vehicles be retrofitted so that they operate cleaner, emitting fewer gases into the atmosphere.  The result for the LPG truck is 70% less smog forming emissions than Federal EPA standards. In addition, the 8-Series diesel models meet the more stringent EPA Interim Tier 4 emission standards, which means 26% less particulate matter than the Tier 3 standard. These machines increased the amount of recyclable parts used, as well as reduced the use of harmful substances during manufacturing.  Toyota didn’t stop there; for every new 8-series forklift that was sold in 2013 they partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in a national forest damaged by fire or other natural causes. Over 30,000 trees were planted throughout the US and Canada.

Toyota’s energy-saving measures have enabled the company’s manufacturing plant to reduce CO2 emissions by 120,000 tons over the past five years. They are also a zero-landfill facility. Toyota encourages everyone to adopt green initiatives into daily applications. Even simple things such as carpooling or an energy-efficient lighting system can reduce our carbon footprint, and benefit the environment.

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/what-you-can-do.aspx

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/redefining-environmental-responsibility.aspx

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/carb2.htm

 

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/toyota-philosophy/environmental-focus/future-vehicles.aspx

Not Just a One Trick Pony

Posted on by SIElift

The_Laughing_Horse_by_u04elw2

It is becoming more and more common; you are able to find anything and everything you need in one place. Super Wal-Mart is a great example; they have everything from milk and eggs to 60” televisions. A one stop shop for you to get everything you need and want.
Here at Southeast Industrial Equipment our goal is to be a full service provider for your material handling needs. We are here to bring solutions to your warehouse dilemmas. We do this by touring your facility and bringing you a full range of options to optimize your operations.
SIE is a Toyota Lift Truck dealer, but we aren’t a one trick pony. We offer a wide range of equipment to add to your fleet. We have aerial lifts, construction equipment, sweeper scrubbers, utility vehicles, and yard spotters. Our relationship with your company doesn’t end there; if a piece of equipment needs to be serviced we can handle that as well. What if your warehouse needs racking or a dock leveler? No worries, we can help.
We do have new equipment, but we also offer a wide range of used equipment. We have weekly and monthly rentals to accommodate those who don’t need machines year round. When service, preventative maintenance, or a safety check is needed; we will take care of those things too. If you have a new associate, schedule a training session to have them become a certified forklift operator.
“Our primary mission is to be the premier supplier of quality products and superior service in our industry, achieving mutually rewarding relationships with our customers and vendors while providing our associates with a safe, secure and rewarding work environment.”
From new forklifts to warehouse supplies, let SIE be your full service provider. Call us (866) 696-9125 or visit us online at www.sielift.com.

Be a Mast Master, a Capacity Connoisseur, and a Safety Specialist

Posted on by SIElift

Image

Teenagers are required to have a drivers permit prior to receiving a full license. He or she needs proper guidance, training, and practice. The same is true when becoming a licensed forklift operator. These machines are 9000lbs or more depending on their capacity; they also steer from the rear, and have the capability to lift thousands of pounds. OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) requires forklift certification of employees operating these machines so it is important to make sure your company is in accordance with these government guidelines. In some instances It may help you receive better ratings on safety inspections; which could reduce insurance premiums.

A forklift operator who has been properly trained will know how to:

  •          Handle asymmetrical loads
  •          Understand the center of gravity
  •          Be able to stay within the stability triangle
  •          Know what traveling speed is safe for his or her task

Train your employees to always be aware of their surroundings, use the horn frequently, especially at intersections, and to ask for a spotter when visibility is limited. Doing these things could prevent damaging products, or colliding with a pedestrian. Tipping the lift truck is one of the most common operator errors. To help avoid this, the load must be within the capacity range of the forklift, and the operator must understand how a change in the center of gravity can affect the forklift’s ability to safely lift. Proper training is the first step in creating a safe and efficient work environment.

Image

Investing properly in employee training has a huge long term return. You will see an increase in productivity and the life of your lift truck, it will lower operating costs, and most importantly the risk of accidents or injury is greatly reduced. When maneuvered correctly, the numerous benefits of a forklift definitely outweigh the risks.

If you’re not sure how to begin proper operator training, don’t worry we can help! Call us (866) 696-9125 or go online www.sielift.com to make an appointment. We have training programs to certify your employees, and we can answer any questions you may have regarding safe practices and OSHA guidelines. If your company has a large facility with more than five forklift operators; the train-the-trainer program may be beneficial.  This program is designed to educate one of your operators to be able to instruct others. In doing this, you will always have a certified trainer on site. No matter which training program you choose; we will be there to teach, train, and instruct all of your operators.

“Powered Industrial Trucks.” Occupational Safety & Health Administration. United States Department of Labor. Web. 21 Mar 2014. <https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/poweredindustrialtrucks/index.html>.