Material Handling Equipment in Greensboro

What is material handling equipment?

In general, this term refers to any kind of machinery used to move, store, control, and protect materials, goods, and products throughout the entire process of manufacturing, distribution, sales, and waste disposal. These types of materials are often bulky, heavy, and sometimes hazardous or fragile. They have to be handled with care, not just brute force.

Generally, moving materials around occurs indoors in warehouses or factories on even floors, but sometimes materials need to be moved up and down slopes or across uneven ground to be loaded into a truck for transport.

Let's focus on Material Handling Equipment.

Types of Material Handling Equipment in Greensboro, NC

Many different types of equipment for handling industrial materials are in widespread use in Greensboro. There are three main types of equipment in common use: electric tuggers, pallet trucks, and forklifts.

Electric tuggers are far more versatile than either forklifts or pallet jacks. They can move heavy loads on wheeled carts, move roller containers, transport barrels, and handle materials packaged. They are small and compact and can maneuver loads in crowded, congested spaces. They can go up and down slopes, do not emit toxic fumes, and anyone can operate one after minimal training. They can cost less than a forklift but can perform tasks that a forklift cannot.

Here is a comparison of equipment used to handle materials

What can they move?

• Pallet trucks can only move goods on pallets
• Forklifts can move goods on pallets and those packaged in a few other ways
• Electric tuggers can move goods on roller containers, wheeled carts, barrels, and an assortment of other wheeled loads.

How much can they move?

• Pallet trucks can only lift up to 5,500 lbs.
• Forklifts are very powerful and can move heavy loads
• Electric tuggers are very powerful and can move heavy loads up to 66,000 lbs.

How much room do they need to maneuver?

• Forklifts are large and bulky and need a lot of room
• Electric tuggers are small and compact and can maneuver in crowded, small spaces
• Pallet trucks are in between these two in terms of space required

Are they safe?

• Forklifts can emit toxic fumes into indoor spaces and endanger workers
• Pallet trucks require some manual handling of the materials and expose workers to risk of injury
• Electric tuggers are extremely safe to operate

Who can operate them?

• Forklift operators require special training and licensing
• Anyone can be rapidly trained to operate a pallet truck
• Anyone can be rapidly trained to operate an electric tugger