How to Run Your Forklift More Efficiently

You might think that you’re already running your forklift efficiently, but you could be mistaken. In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you can do to make sure your warehouse and your forklifts are running smoothly and efficiently, whilst also making sure that your new methods are cost-effective, and that you’re getting the most out of your high-quality material handling equipment.

Optimise your warehouse layout

Pay attention to how well, or not, your operators are navigating around your aisles, and sound the warehouse in general. You might notice that they’re actually struggling to turn corners or aren’t able to emerge from an aisle without reversing down it first, which can take time and it’s also not as safe as simply turning the forklift around, much like you would a car. If you notice that your operators are having a difficult time getting sound, then change the layout of your warehouse to accommodate the forklifts.

Make sure all of your employees are fully-trained

Part of making sure that your forklift runs efficiently is training your forklift operators regularly. Re-training is crucial when it comes to forklift operation, because there’s always something new that they can learn or refresh themselves on. If they know how to operate the forklift based on the individual manufacturer, then they’ll be able to use the forklift to its full potential, as it’s been designed. Each forklift is different, with an emphasis on different things, so make sure training is bespoke to that machine. Not only will this enable the forklift to be used more efficiently, but it will also make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth out of it.

Invest in forklift attachments & accessories

It’s very easy to customise a forklift and its capabilities with the use of forklift attachments and accessories. You should view these as more of an investment than just another outlay for your warehouse. You’ll be able to transform your forklift into something that works specifically for you, and that’s what makes forklifts so versatile and, subsequently, efficient. You’ll be able to purchase an array of forklift attachments from us here at Multy Lift. If you aren’t sure about which ones to buy, then we have a team of dedicated professionals who will be on hand to offer advice and recommendations based on your individual requirements.

Ask your operators for ideas on how to improve efficiency

One of the best ways to improve your forklift efficiency is to ask the people who know the machine inside and out, and that’s your forklift operators and also those who maintain and repair the equipment when it goes wrong. As well as asking them for some ideas, make some observations of your own, paying attention to how they navigate through the warehouse, the effort they have to go to to retrieve popular items, how they come to charge or fuel the machine at the end of the day, and any other routine jobs that are carried out whilst a forklift is in use. From this, make changes to your warehouse, such as changing the layout for example, which we’ve already discussed in depth.

Keep your floors well-maintained

Although it might be a little odd to have this on a list of things you can do to make your forklift run more efficiently, there’s actually a very good reason for it. If your floors are well-maintained and don’t harbour dirt, debris and other contaminants, then your forklift operator will be free to transport their load right through from A-to-B, without stopping at any point along their journey. If you have one person who is responsible for keeping the floors maintained, and another whose job it is to operate the forklift, then your operations will run more efficiently. This shifts the focus from running the forklift efficiently to running your operations efficiently, simultaneously. When the two combine, it makes for the perfect way to run any warehouse.

Ensure doorways and aisles are free from debris

You might be wondering how this affects the efficiency of your forklift operations, but there’s a simple answer to this, in much the same way as keeping your floors well-maintained, and that’s because if there are obstacles in the way, the operator will have to safely dismount their forklift to go and move the debris that’s in their path. They’ll then have to mount the forklift again, carry out all of their safety checks and make sure it’s safe to pull off again before even powering up the forklift to ensure the safety of everyone around. If there’s a free path forklift forklift operator to manoeuvre through, then no time is wasted and tasks can be carried out and completed efficiently every single time.

Consider how you’re powering your forklift

This not only affects how efficiently your forklift operates, but it also touches on cost-effectiveness. In this day and age, diesel, petrol, LPG and electricity have soared in price, so look into what’s more cost-effective for you to run. You would also benefit from doing some research on the speed of electric, LPG and diesel-powered forklifts so you can see how much bang you’re getting for your buck. Multy Lift have over three decades of experience in the material handling industry, providing customers throughout the country with high-calibre warehouse equipment, such as forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers and more. For further information about our new or used material handling equipment, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.