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Marty T Hawkins here with Warehouse and Operations as a Career. I’m back in Texas, it’s cold and wet, but I’m glad to be back home. Let’s see, what am I going to talk about today. I had some bullet points laid out, can’t seem to find them now, oh, here we are. So, while I was out traveling the last couple of weeks, I got to thinking about the narrow aisles we’re seeing more and more frequently. Which of course lead me to thinking about forklifts and the price of real estate or the value of an individual location, so I started doing a little research. I want to talk a little about how we’re all coaches, in a way, at least too, but let’s start off with a little self-education on Forklifts. What better place to start than something on the history of the forklift!
https://packagingrevolution.net/history-of-the-fork-truck/ This article was by Rick LeBlanc back on March 9th 2019. I found it interesting, I’ll add the link in today’s show notes so you can check it out easily.
This article from The Palletizer, a U.S. Naval magazine for suppliers during the Second World War, reviews the history of the fork truck, up to the mid-1940s. The Palletizer was a key communication medium of the Navy to share materials handling best practices with its suppliers. I’m going to check out some of the archives, I bet these would be really interesting to read!
Anyway, the article goes on to say, and a lot of this we’ve already learned together but I love hearing it explained in so many different ways. So, over 100 years ago, the first contribution towards scientific materials handling equipment appears to have been the two-wheel hand truck. Can you imagine something made by local manufacturers using wrought iron axles and cast-iron wheels!
Back in the last century every railway station of any size had its version of a hand operated four-wheel wagon or platform truck cart. Although everything had to be loaded by hand, they could carry much heavier loads than the little two-wheel hand trucks.
Then along came 1906 and an official of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Altoona, Pa added storage battery power to a baggage wagon, producing what was possibly the first powered platform truck. If you remember back in 2018 we did an episode once when WAOC was on the road visiting Greensburg and Altoona. I wish I’d of know about this then, I bet there’s a museum or something out there! The article states that the controls were placed out in front, so the operator worked it from up there. I’m sure it didn’t take long before word spread, and every yard had a powered platform truck!
Another little fun fact from the article is that the first portable elevator on record in the patent office was built of wood in 1867, with uprights, cantilever platform, and a hoist. Oddly, it took over 40 years for the idea to catch on.
Over the years things like ball bearings were added to wheels, axles were improved and made lighter and in 1913 a truck appeared with electric power to the combined vertical and horizonal handling ability for the new lifting trucks.
And the article goes on to mention the first skids being used. Since we could now pick up flat objects, skids would be a game changer.
Theres a lot more information with the article. It’s called History of the Forklift. The link is in the show notes, it’s well worth your time to read it but I’ve got a little more ground to cover so I’ll just encourage you to check it out!
I’ve added a link https://gearflow.com/blog/renting-or-buying-the-right-types-of-forklifts/ , the article sounds a little odd, but the information really made me think about all the different types of equipment at our facilities today. It’s titled Renting or Buying the Right Types of Forklifts.
The blog or article does a great job of helping you break down the different types of forklifts used in our industries.
I liked how it helps describe several different types. The counterbalance of course, the work horse in a warehouse. Sometimes we refer to these as sit-down forklifts. And as we’ve learned before there’s many different attachments that are designed for these lifts as well!
Then they mention the side loaders. These are really handy for long loads like piping and lumber. Some of these versions had multi-directional wheels and can turn 90 degrees in any direction. There useful and pretty cool.
Next, they talk about the order Picker Forklifts. Maybe you’ve heard them referred to as Cherry Pickers. Unique and great when a pallet full of product is not needed, say only 1 or 2 cases of something on the 5 level. An order picker is perfect for the task.
Have you ever heard of a Telehandler Forklift? These are heavy duty trucks. Because of their extending telescopic boom, not a mask but a boom, these types of lifts are sometimes mistaken for a crane. These things can reach inside a trailer to retrieve a pallet, transport it then lift the load to its desired height. Pretty slick!
Our industry, or at least I’ve never gotten to operate a rough terrain forklift, but there out there. I’m sure you’ve seen them. I pass a roofing company every day on my way to the training center and they have one. I think it stays outside all the time. Sometimes it looks like they’ve taken it mudding. It is a pure work horse!
The blog goes on to talk about Reach Forklifts too. They talk about several different kinds and there uses! I think I read that entire section! We all know how versatile a reach lift can be.
And of course, what would a great article be if it didn’t mention the pallet jack. Anybody dare to take a guess how many different models of the pallet jack there are? If you have a guess send it to us at host@warehouseandoperationsasacareer.com because I do not have a clue!
And then it covers a quick review of the classes.
Class 1 Electric Motor Ride Truck. Electric and for indoor settings where exhaust may be a concern.
Class 2 Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Truck, again battery, for moving inventory in narrow or tight spaces.
Class 3 Electric Motor Hand Truck, Battery, quickly unloading or loading delivery trucks and hauling short distances.
Class 4 Internal Combustion Engine with cushion tires, Gas, Diesel and maybe propane. Low clearance situations
Class 5 I/C engine truck with pneumatic tires. Again gas, diesel or propane. Typically, Indoor and outdoor but where surfaces are rough!
Class 6 Electric and I/C engine tractors. Really for the serious stuff!
A great article, and they list a few more. I really urge you to check out these posts. I guarantee you’ll learn something that you didn’t know.
Changing gears really quick now. I’ve mentioned thesafetypropodcast.com a couple of times. Blaine Hoffmann does a great job explaining safety to us in a way that makes it interesting! Anyway, I ran across his episode 59, 8 Critical Tips for Effective Safety Coaching and, gosh, I be I listened to it like 3 times and read the blog post maybe 10 times. Of course, his approach was regarding safety. The more I thought about it though, one could use it as a coaching tool, well, to turn towards us as associates and leads or supervisors. I really encourage you to check out his episode 59 and read his post.
Let’s take a few minutes and look at just a few of his 8 points so you can see my train of thought when you’re checking it out!
OK, 1). Don’t assume leaders know how to coach. I know I was thrown into those kinds of rolls before. Let’s all make sure we teach our coaches.
2) Make sure it’s a two-way conversation. Remember how we’ve talked about the importance of listening before. Always practice our listening skills when having a conversation.
3) Provide just enough structure. When we’re coaching, we have to have a plan. I’m talking a lot about coaching. This isent meant for just management, we as employees, operators and admins coach others daily. Think about it. You do, right?
4) Avoid punishment. I want to say negativity here.
I won’t go through all 8, go check it out though. It will make you think!
We’ll I’ve got to move on. I hope you got something out of today’s episode, I know I learned a lot putting it together. Until next week, self-educate, plan your days and practice all you’ve learned about Safety. Both at work and at home.