How to choose your industrial truck?
The industrial truck is an indispensable tool for many professionals in all sectors. Very useful for transporting and moving loads while limiting worker effort, the professional forklift exists in many forms for different types of use. Platform carts, bulky carts, multi-stage carts, constant-level carts, electric carts... It's sometimes difficult to find your way around such a wide range of industrial trucks, which is why we've put together this guide to help you choose the right cart for your needs.
Criteria for choosing the right industrial truck
To choose the right industrial truck for you, you need to ask yourself the right questions. A number of criteria need to be taken into account to help you make the right decision. After all, all industrial trucks are different and meet different needs.
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Load weight and volume
Depending on the products and goods you wish to transport, the choice of the right forklift will be very different. It's important not to overlook the weight and volume of the loads you'll be handling in your work areas.
Some trucks are specially designed to carry very heavy loads, while others are optimized to move specific loads (bulky, long, etc.).
The working environment
It's essential to think ahead about where you want to use your forklift. Some trucks have wheels for use on specific floors (pneumatic wheels, rubber wheels, polypropylene wheels, etc.) to facilitate load transport.
Don't forget to consider the space you have available to store your carts, so as not to interfere with your activity.
Safety and the risk of RSI
The comfort of your operators should not be overlooked, by limiting the effort required to pull and push, which will greatly relieve your forklift operators. Some forklifts are designed to limit the risk of RSI (musculoskeletal disorders), making handling easier and more efficient.
Electric forklift models enable loads to be moved effortlessly, while constant-level forklifts keep transported products at gripping height.
Lean manufacturing (continuous improvement)
If you want to optimize your logistics flow management by reducing waste, cutting costs and saving time, you can choose trucks designed for continuous improvement of your processes.
To supply production areas and line edges, you can opt for towable trucks or line-edge trucks.
The different components of a professional cart
A cart generally comprises at least a platform for depositing the load to be moved, a backrest for handling, and wheels to facilitate movement on the various floors used. But all these elements can vary to meet specific needs.
Back and side panels
Side panels are elements placed on the sides of the cart to close it and turn it into a container. They are very practical for stacking loads and preventing them from falling off the cart.
The tray
Wheels
You can opt for fixed or swivel castors. Fixed wheels are very effective for moving in a straight line, but if you need to move in areas with many curves, swivel castors are recommended.
Wheel material is an important consideration. Rubber wheels dampen vibrations on uneven floors. Non-staining rubber avoids leaving marks on the floor. Polypropylene wheels limit starting effort and are ideal for use on smooth floors. Finally, pneumatic wheels provide maximum absorption of vibrations and shocks on uneven floors.
Tiller arm
Specific carts
Shelf carts
Highly practical for shelving, order-picking and supply operations, multi-storey trucks can store and move loads on several levels. Certain models of stacker trucks can store bins and tilt them to facilitate picking.
Constant-level trucks
Constant-level carts, also known as moving-bottom carts, are the perfect solution for picking products at grip height. This means your operators don't have to bend over to pick up goods, which helps prevent the risk of RSI for optimum ergonomics.
Made-to-measure carts
For specific needs, we can design handling carts adapted to your professional activity. Tool carts, rack carts, carts for specific loads, panel carts, towable carts..
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