Staying Safe Around Forklift Rotators

Posted on 6 Dec, 2017
A forklift rotator is an essential piece of equipment for any organisation that needs to regularly and quickly invert and dump loads. While extremely convenient, additional care must be taken around these pieces of equipment, as they add a few extra dangers to your standard forklift that both the operator and the employees around the vehicle must be aware of. At Eureka Forklifts, we want everyone to be able to enjoy a safe, efficient and productive work environment, so we’ve put together this article highlighting a few key areas to be aware of as you integrate these machines into your workplace. Read on and keep your staff safe.

The importance of securing your load

Ensuring that your load is stable and secure is essential to any forklift, but is especially important when using a rotator that allows an additional axis of movement. With many rotators moving very rapidly, a badly secured or improperly fitted load could easily come undone, destroying precious stock and potentially injuring the operator or a passer-by. Invest in additional securing measures such as ropes or bindings as required. Work on the idea that the more the load has to move, the more binding it needs.

Preventing dangerous spills

Rotators are primarily used in industries such as agriculture, construction, paper manufacturing or food processing – any role where loose or liquid materials need to be rapidly unloaded from a pallet or bin. Many of the materials used in these roles can be dangerous to people, so provide your staff with additional training around how to safely handle these containers. Inaccurate tipping can result in costly and potentially-life threating accidents, so ensure your staff understand the risks and how to avoid them.

Be aware of your surroundings

Rotators call for new awareness of the operator’s surroundings. When unloading a bin into a container, they need the side opposite the container to be completely free of people, as the forks will swing up rapidly with more than enough force to seriously injure or kill. At Eureka Forklifts, we have extensive experience helping every forklift operator choose the right attachments for their fleet. If you’re looking for a rotator, work with our team to find one that fits your fleet and meets your requirements. Browse the Eureka Forklifts range today and discover something ideal for your operations.

Smarter Forklift Battery Maintenance

Posted on 13 Oct, 2017
Whether you work in an enclosed space where exhaust from an internal combustion engine would pose a hazard or you’re simply striving to minimise your business’ carbon footprint, electric battery forklifts are a popular and economical choice. Choosing to go electric for your entire fleet allows you to do away with costly deliveries of gas or diesel, but care must be taken with your equipment to keep the maintenance costs to a minimum. One of the key areas where costs can skyrocket is in the battery itself. Improper battery maintenance can severely decrease the overall life expectancy of even the best quality units, meaning you have to shell out thousands for another battery far sooner than you’d prefer. In this article, we’ll provide a few tips to help you keep your battery in top condition, allowing you to keep your costs low, your productivity high, and your accountant happy. Read on to learn more.

Charging do’s and don’ts

Proper charging practice for your phone is a world apart from proper charging practice for your forklift. Where most people might think to plug their phone in at 50% to get just a little bit more in the tank before they go out, forklift operators have to be careful to avoid both opportunity charging and interrupting charge cycle. Like the lithium-ion battery in your mobile phone, lead-acid forklift batteries have a limited number of charge cycles before their capacity is sharply reduced. Where they differ is in the cost; while you may think nothing of picking up a new battery for a much-loved device for $80, forklift operators can be looking at thousands of dollars to replace their worn-out battery. With your average battery lasting 1500 cycles and a single cycle generally being good enough for a single six- to eight-hour work day, you can expect about five years from your battery. Start opportunity charging as much as two or three times a day and you could see that drop to under 24 months.

Watering the right way

Keeping your battery’s water levels within the manufacturer’s recommended levels ensures that it’s always performing at optimal efficiency. That means making a regular check and top up every five to ten charges a necessity to ensure that it can operate safely. Equally, don’t overfill the battery, as extra space is needed to account for the expansion of the battery when in use. Consider investing in a watering system for faster, more precise filling. These systems replace the existing vent caps on the battery and use automatic shut off valves to ensure the perfect water level is reached every time. For more information on electric forklifts or to buy one of your own, speak to the team at Eureka Forklifts today.