Material handling equipment is an umbrella term defining any equipment that is used to move or handle materials on a production floor. It includes various vehicles, appliances, storage units and tools. Theyhandle, store and transport heavy and large materials before, after and during production.

With several models, styles, and types of equipment available it is crucial to know what works best for your products. Having the right material handling equipment ensures the safety of workers and the easy movement of the products.

Here are a few of the material handling equipment that will make managing your warehouse easier:

1. Floor Cranes

Floor cranes are the portable mini version of cranes that are used in smaller spaces. They are often called a garage, engine or workshop crane due to its vast usage in workshops and garages for lifting and lowering engines.
They are easy to use machines that work efficiently with heavy loads weighing up to 1000 kgs. They are best for lifting and lowering differently shaped objects and products.

Types of commonly used Floor cranes are:

– Manual Floor cranes
– Semi-Electric floor cranes
– While Manual floor cranes are cost-effective, Semi-Electric cranes save manpower and time.

2. Dock Levelers & Edge of Dock Leveler

Dock leveler and Edge of Dock Leveler are crucial pieces of equipment if you have a loading bay. They are used to transfer raw materials and finished goods smoothly between trucks and the bay.
A Dock Leveler is installed in a pit while an Edge of Dock Leveler is mounted to the dock face. Both types of equipment are easy to operate and maintain a safer environment on the bay. Dock Levelers can transfer weights up to 15000 kgs while Edge of Dock Levelers can transfer up to 3000 kgs of weights securely.

3. Stackers

A Stacker is an equipment used to efficiently organize materials or products in a warehouse. It enables efficient use of your storage space and creates an easy retrieval system. They are needed for handling equipment in small warehouses. They can easily maneuver loads in narrow lanes.

Stackers come in a wide range of types and specifications. They are variedly characterized to meet the needs of various manufacturing environments.  There are three major kinds of stackers are:

– Manual Stackers
– Semi-Electric Stackers
– Electric Stackers.

4. Hand Pallet Trucks

Hand Pallet Trucks are one of the simplest kinds of material handling equipment. They are best suited for moving heavy equipment within short distances. They are effective for indoor usage in smaller storage spaces. They have lesser maintenance cost as they are manually operated.

5. Mini Forklifts

Mini Forklifts have great loading and lifting capacity. A Mini Forklift offers almost all the benefits of a standard Forklift. They can load and unload weights up to 1000 kgs from a height of 122 inches.

A Mini Forklift is an economical option for the ones wanting to fasten the pace of work and increase the efficiency of their storage houses. Using a Mini Forklift increases the safety of workers and products on the manufacturing floor.
These multiple types of material handling equipment are a must for every brand with a manufacturing unit. They secure your products while moving them as and when required. They mobilize complete and effective use of your storing space.
Employ one of these types of equipment at your manufacturing or storage unit for a hassle-free organization and retrieval of products.