Which Forklift is Best for Cold Storage Warehousing?

Cold storage warehousing is necessary in a variety of different sectors and industries, but due to the freezing temperatures and slippery surfaces, it’s imperative that you’re choosing the right forklift to operate effortlessly and smoothly in a cold storage setting. In this article, we’ll be explaining why you need a forklift that has been designed with cold environments in mind, together with which ones are best suited to the aforementioned conditions.

Why do you need a cold storage forklift?

As the name would suggest, a cold storage forklift, which is a forklift that has been designed and manufactured to withstand the freezing temperatures of fridges and other cold storage spaces,is only really used for storage spaces where temperatures plummet to freezing lows. There are multiple jobs and tasks that need to be carried out in a cold storage warehouse, and so you will need a cold storage forklift to do the following things:

• Frequently access the cold storage area – a standard forklift will not have the capability to continuously perform tasks in cold storage settings, whereas one that has been specifically designed for use in that environment will make short work of executing jobs frequently as and when needed
• To effortlessly transport goods in and around a cold storage area – transporting stock around cold storage areas isn’t as simple or as easy as it will be in a traditional warehouse setting, so cold storage forklifts make this process far smoother and more efficient
• To stack and unload stock for a considerable time, faultlessly – cold storage forklifts can operate in freezing temperatures for far longer than a conventional forklift, without the risk of the forklift breaking down or suffering any damages. All hydraulics and other mechanical elements will be able to operate faultlessly
• To manoeuvre safely through aisles and around corners, without the possibility of slipping or tipping over – cold storage settings are likely to have slippery and icy surfaces, so conventional forklift tyres will be unable to navigate those areas safely. Cold storage forklifts will come equipped with everything that’s needed to operate in that environment as safely as possible, including the appropriate tyres

Which forklifts are best for cold storage warehousing?

It is paramount that the forklift you’re choosing has been designed and manufactured with cold storage applications in mind. Usually, cold storage forklifts are powered by electricity, meaning that the batteries that are fitted as standard will be well-equipped to deal with the extreme cold temperatures. Standard forklifts and other pieces of warehouse equipment will likely struggle to operate at their full capacity or for its entire charge time.

As such, you need to make doubly sure that you’re purchasing a cold storage forklift as opposed to a conventional storage or another form of material handling equipment. This is something that we, here at Multy Lift, will be able to help and advise you with. We understand the needs and wants of our customers, regardless of the industry you work in.

Drawing on our wealth of knowledge and experience, we will point you in the right direction to make sure that you’re not only getting great value for money, but a high-calibre machine that will stand the test of time, even in cold conditions and settings. Two of the most popular forklifts chosen for cold storage applications are VNA forklifts and counterbalance forklift.

This is usually because cold storage areas lack space, and so large forklifts with less turning and manoeuvring capabilities will likely struggle in a cold storage setting. With that in mind, let’s talk in more detail about very narrow aisle (VNA) forklifts and multi-directional forklifts.

VNA forklifts

VNA forklifts are designed and manufactured by the world-renowned Aisle-Master brand. Made specifically for use in small and compact areas where space is at a premium, many people cannot go wrong with a VNA forklift for their cold storage premises. Whether you work in catering or medicine, a cold storage VNA forklift that has been designed with this specific capability in mind will make short work of any task and applications that needs to be carried out in an area that is both compact and plummets to freezing temperatures.

VNA forklifts, generally, are perfect for small premises as they have a very tight turning radius and come complete with a comfortable-yet-small cabin for the operator to sit. With controls that are easy to decipher and utilise, together with all-round excellent visibility, the VNA forklift is not only a powerful machine in all settings, but it’s also incredibly safe, working to protect both the forklift driver and those on the ground simultaneously.

Multi-directional forklifts

Multi-directional forklifts are of a similar design to VNA forklifts, only the chassis is larger and they’re often considered to be more powerful. Coming in a range of different fuel options for traditional warehouse operations, multi-directional forklifts can be used in cold storage settings if designed to do so. This is something you should check with your forklift dealer; our dedicated team of specialists will be able to help with us, simply tell us your requirements and your budget and we will do our utmost to provide you with an effective cold storage solution.

As the name would suggest, multi-directional forklifts can remain still whilst the chassis moves in different directions. Much like the VNA forklift, this makes the multi-directional forklifts incredibly useful in areas that are small, tight and compact. Anywhere that offers limited space with tight corners and little scope for manoeuvring will be well-suited to the operation of a multi-directional forklift, and this is often the case with cold storage areas.

Multy Lift has over three decades of experience in the material handling industry, providing customers throughout the UK with all of the very best machines, equipment and warehousing solutions the market has to offer. For high-quality products and unrivalled customer service, get in touch with Multy Lift for all of your warehousing needs, including cold storage options – we’re always pleased to hear from you.