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Welcome to Dillon Toyota Lift's blog. Here you will find everything from product features, industry education, operator insights, racking, warehouse design, material handling solutions, safety, trends, best practices and more!  

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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Electric forklifts are awesome! Electric forklifts are low-emission vehicles that are less maintenance than an internal combustion forklift, while maintaining a similar workload as its internal combustion counterpart. This is due to the high-powered forklift battery. With that said, electric forklifts require some unique care that other types of equipment might not require. Failing to take the proper precautions with electric equipment can lead to breakdowns that cost time and money.

  1. High Temperatures’ Impact on Forklift Battery Life

Heat is a battery’s arch nemesis. Heat from forklift operation causes the lead within the industrial battery to deteriorate. If you use the forklift and battery for an entire shift, make sure you let the battery charge properly and sit long enough to cool down before using it again in the forklift. Also, while you are charging, you will want open the hood to provide proper ventilation. This will help cool the forklift’s battery. Simply, the heat can take years off the battery’s life if not appropriately managed.

  1. Over AND Under Charging Damages Forklift Battery Life

Your forklift needs a good night’s rest just like the rest of us. If you don’t get enough sleep, you might be frazzled for the day, but if you over sleep, you still might still feel worn out. If you don’t charge the forklift’s battery just right, you risk harming your battery’s lifespan. If you over charge your forklift battery, you risk excess heat, causing the battery to deteriorate (heat is not your battery’s friend, as we talked about before). You do not want to under charge your battery either, because undercharging leads to plate sulphation and battery breakdown. Under charging can drastically shorten the lifespan of the battery.

  1. Watering for Increased Forklift Battery Life

Is watering your battery like watering your garden? Well, kind of. Your battery requires watering to provide the appropriate discharge to power your forklift. Lead-acid batteries used in forklifts typically have a mixture of 35% lead acid and 65% water within its cells. You can see that water is very important for powering the battery. During discharge, water evaporates, but the lead acid does not. The evaporation creates disproportionate levels of water and acid. So, you need to replace that water. In this case, you need to water your battery. Easy enough right? Not quite. If the battery is topped up with water at any stage other than fully charged, you risk the battery spilling water and acid on top of the battery and onto the floor. This causes the battery oxidize and lose acid, ultimately losing capacity for operation. Simply put, you only want to water the battery after it has been fully charged.

Posted by tfinco at 11/5/2019 5:27:00 PM
Thursday, October 31, 2019

Construction, maintenance, and facility enhancements offer complex needs, especially when they occur in areas that are already in use. Current infrastructure can block access to a needed area. Equipment use of varied sorts can cause task execution headaches. And the people in high traffic environments challenge operators to move carefully to remain productive while remaining unobtrusive, allowing people to use those spaces with little interruption. A vertical mast lift offers one answer to help meet each of these challenges.

What is a Vertical Mast Lift?

Vertical mast lifts are a type of aerial work platform intended to provide access to high reaching tasks while allowing for tight fitting access and a small space footprint. While similar to scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts utilize a multi-stage mast that accommodates a smaller footprint than traditional personnel lifts like scissor lifts. They come equipped with platform extensions that extend beyond the base of the vehicle.

Navigating Existing Infrastructure with a Vertical Mast Lift

Facility designers often pay close attention to the long term maintenance needs of the operation. Sometimes those designers consider what equipment can be used to fulfill those needs. But over the lifetime of any evolving work environment, unexpected infrastructure changes arise – as do unexpected maintenance needs.

A vertical mast lift can help meet high reaching maintenance needs when original or new facility infrastructure can be difficult to navigate. With a width of only 30 inches and a length of four and a half feet, the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift can fit through standard doorways, in between tight racking, or in other spaces obstructed by infrastructure. Have a need to fit between ducts for heating and cooling work or pipes to fix facility plumbing? The platform dimensions of a vertical mast lift are built to access these spaces. And with many models like the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift equipped with zero-degree turn radius, versatility in maneuvering is optimal for tight locations. Has a new rack appeared directly beneath an electrical box you need to access? Position an AICHI Vertical Mast Lift next to the rack and use its 15-inch platform extension to reach over the rack and get to the task.

Integrating Vertical Mast Lifts with Other Equipment

Smart operations managers and construction project managers plan routing of their equipment carefully to make the most use of the space and assist operators in maintaining efficient operation. When maintenance needs arise in areas with high traffic from other equipment, a vertical mast lift’s small footprint can help optimize space. By working close to exterior walls of a facility or on the outside perimeter on a construction site and taking up little space, other industrial equipment can maintain optimal operation and efficiency.

Using Vertical Mast Lifts in Public Places

Maintenance in and around buildings that grant public access is a common need. While proper precautions need to be exercised when performing maintenance around non-facility personnel/operators, vertical mast lifts come equipped with features to assist in the protection of both the operator and passersby. The AICHI Vertical Mast Lift features systems like anti-rollback and lift interlock when a steep grade is detected. Standard pothole protectors and reduced travel speed when elevated also enhance the protection provided to the operators when working at height.

Vertical mast lifts are versatile and offer an excellent solution for accessing difficult to reach areas for maintenance. While they do provide a flexible solution, key considerations such as platform height need and weight requirements must be considered. As these requirements increase, consider investing instead in an AICHI Scissor Lift for increase height and weight capacity with a slightly larger physical footprint.

Posted by tfinco at 10/31/2019 6:07:00 AM
Friday, October 25, 2019

The TuffCab Panel Cab Enclosure comes complete with windshields, roofs and rear panels that can be purchased and installed individually or in sets. They are simple, easy to install and cost effective. TuffCabs are made of durable heavy gauge steel and tempered safety glass construction. Windshields include a 12V wiper. They offer excellent visibility with a large roof view and rear window panel for backup protection.  The TuffCab is available for Toyota Models 8FGU25, 30 and 35 as well as Toyota Models 8FG40U, 45U and 50U.

The  features:
1. Durable Steel & Safety Glass Construction
2. Easy Clamp-On Installation
3. Easy Fold-Up Curtains for Operator
4. Fast Lead-times
5. Full Enclosure or Individual Components Available
6. Windshiled Includes 12V Wiper

BUY NOW

 

Posted by tfinco at 10/25/2019 6:17:00 PM
Sunday, October 20, 2019

Every operation needs the right tool for the job. Which is why choosing a forklift with the correct tire type is extremely important. When it comes to working on uneven terrain, pneumatic tires are your best bet for standing up to the challenge. But why are pneumatic tires the best choice for outdoor use? Here is a little more about pneumatic tires, and the benefits of having them on your forklift.

What are Pneumatic Tires?

To start, pneumatic tires are similar to your regular car or truck tires, and are most commonly used outdoors. There are two types, solid pneumatics and air pneumatics. The air pneumatics are filled with air, while the solid pneumatics are made of rubber and more puncture proof. If you have nails, rocks, or other sharp objects around the yard or workspace, you may want to lean more towards the solid pneumatic option.

What are Pneumatic Tires’ Benefits?

One of the biggest benefits of using pneumatic tires are their ability to absorb the unevenness of terrain. This allows for a smoother ride, and less bumping and shaking. They are also going to have a thicker tread, which provides traction to drive over loose and uneven surface.

The value of pneumatic tires in outdoor applications is that they ultimately increase your uptime. Using the alternative, cushion tires outdoors will quickly lead to damage that will mean you’re sitting and waiting on replacements. If you have a continual outdoor need, make sure you work with your Toyota dealer to get the right pneumatic tire forklift for the job.

Original Post: Lucas Collom, Digital Projects Administrator, Toyota Material Handling, USA

Posted by tfinco at 10/20/2019 9:52:00 AM
Monday, October 7, 2019

Different types of pallet racks might offer the best solution for your operations – and Dillon Toyota Lift's Warehouse Solutions team can source whichever you need. But how to choose? Here are some basics to help:

Selective Racking – Usually single-deep, this type of racking makes any pallet in the rack system accessible without having to move another pallet.

Pallet Flow Racking – Often referred to as gravity racking, gravity allows the pallet to roll to the front of the system upon loading. When the pallet is removed from the front of the racking system, the pallets behind roll to the front.

Push Back Racking – Used for high-density storage, carts in the rack are stacked on top of each other. The first pallet is loaded from the front and sits on the top cart. When the second pallet is loaded, it pushes the top cart with the first pallet back, granting access to place the new pallet on the second cart.

Drive-In Racking –Used to store a high number of SKUs, forklifts drive into the racking system to move a pallet. This type of pallet racking system is cost-effective by maximizing storage space.

Racking Solutions

Posted by tfinco at 10/7/2019 11:54:00 PM
Saturday, September 21, 2019

Forklift safety is an ongoing learning experience. Proper training in accordance with OSHA requirements should be the first priority for all forklift operators. It is imperative that anyone who operates a forklift complies with OSHA’s training requirements. OSHA requirements have been in effect since 1999. Since they began mandating the training, forklift accidents have decreased even though the number of forklifts in use has risen steadily. An organization can be fined as much as $100,000 if proper training is not conducted for forklift operators.

Nearly 100 workers are killed each year in forklift related accidents. 24% of these accidents are the result of rollovers. Other accidents include works being struck by the forklift load, by the forklift itself, or workers falling off the forklift. The need to give safety your utmost attention as a business operator is made clear when assessing the statistics associated with forklift accidents. For example:

  • 34,000 serious injuries occur each year
  • Over 100,000 total accidents (serious and non-serious) happen each year
  • 42% of forklift fatalities are from the operator being crushed when the forklift tips over
  • 25% are crushed between the forklift and a surface (wall, load, etc.)
  • 8% of workers are crushed by material falling from the forklift
  • 4% of workers fall from a platform

Keeping these serious and troubling statistics in mind, implementing best practices in your facility in regard to safety is highly important.

Forklift Safety Best Practices

  1. OSHA recommends that a forklift driver be over the age of 18.
  2. Create a detailed training program for new employees and repeat the training for existing employees on a regular basis. This training should include:
    • Formal Instruction
    • Practical education
    • Evaluations / tests
  3. Know capacity ratings for the forklift being driven. Forklifts have specific ratings showing how much weight it can handle. Be sure that the weight limitations are posted clearly on the forklift and instruct operators to adhere to those limitations.
  4. Forklifts are equipped with back-up buzzers and warning signals because often it can be hard to see around loads. Train employees to listen for the audible warning signals.
  5. Keep your distance if you are not operating the forklift. Instruct employees to keep a good distance away from the immediate area where forklifts are being used.
  6. Slow Down if you are a forklift operator. Some forklifts come with options to limit their speed. This is a good idea to add to your forklift order. Instruct operators of the maximum speed at which they may operate and enforce those regulations.
  7. Surfaces should be clear, free from debris and safe for operators.
  8. Have regular forklift inspections on each forklift.

Improper forklift operation results in accidents, damage to products and facilities, and is the result of law suits for companies each year. By following OSHA regulations and adopting strict training rules and regulations at your organization, you can prevent these accidents.

While following these procedures can result in an improved safety setting, below are some specific situations where safety questions and concerns continually arise.

Facilities Considerations for Potential Forklift Safety Improvement

Beyond following these rules for safety success, giving special attention to your facilities can help to improve safety in your operations. There are some general pieces of advice that can be followed, but remember, the unique needs and designs of your operation will ALWAYS dictate what safe practice looks like. Be sure to thoroughly analyze the safety of your site before making any major changes.

  • Keep pedestrians and forklifts separated when possible.Use different aisles for pedestrian passageways and material flow.
  • Use guards and barriers. Physical barriers assure that pedestrians and material handling equipment do not come into contact with each other.
  • Avoid tall, narrow aisles when possible. Height can mean more efficient storage. But make sure that your forklifts and operators are capable of working in them.
  • Do not obstruct intersection and doors.
  • Eliminate unnecessary noise pollution. When operators and pedestrians can’t hear each other, they are more likely to be involved in an accident.
  • Eliminate Poor Lighting. Operators and pedestrians need to see each other clearly whenever possible.
  • Avoid installing high-grade ramps or change in floor surfaces. Each can provide hazards for forklifts while in operation.

Understanding Forklift Capacities to Ensure Forklift Safety

So, you’ve purchased a 6,000 lb. forklift. That means you can lift 6,000 lbs. at all times, no matter what, right? Wrong.

The capacity rating of a forklift is the maximum weight at which it is able to safely maneuver at a specific load center. If the forks are not at that exact load center, if the mast type has been changed, or if attachments have been added, the forklift is not capable of maneuvering that load safely.

To avoid making the colossal mistake of exceeding your forklift’s maximum capacity, remember the following:

  1. Purchase a higher capacity forklift than you think you will need to prevent exceeding the limit.
  2. Always use a scale to measure loads so you’re sure you haven’t exceeded the capacity limit.
  3. Operators should be trained to know the difference between the forklift model number and the capacity rating on the data plate.
  4. Be sure the data plate is always in place and readable.
  5. Talk to a forklift specialist to be sure you’re using the right forklift for your application.

Though forklift accidents are becoming less frequent every year, one main cause of forklift accidents is an operator trying to maneuver loads that exceed the forklift’s capacity rating. Talk to your local Toyota Forklift Dealer to learn more about forklift capacity ratings and which forklift would be best for you and your business.

Forklift Safety: Avoiding Forklift Accidents in No Laughing Matter

Forklift safety is no laughing matter. Toyota makes it our priority to ensure that safety is at the forefront of all of our manufacturing processes and training efforts. But while safety comes standard at Toyota, it’s the responsibility of operators and their managers to be sure that Toyota forklifts are being used appropriately. When risks are taken in the name of having fun or joking around, accidents are bound to happen.
Operators should monitor their personal behavior. But a good working environment means that operators are also looking out for each other as well. That means reporting inappropriate behavior when they see it. Here are a few clear examples of inappropriate forklift use for which operators and managers should be on the lookout:

  • Racing
  • Sitting on the counter-weight
  • Allowing passengers in either the operator cab or on the exterior of the lift
  • Lifting people with forks
  • Lifting unintended loads on the forks
  • Trying to distract an operator
  • Swerving in the vicinity of pedestrians
  • Adding people on the back of a lift to increase counter-weight
  • Turning off lights needed for operator visibility

Posted by tfinco at 9/21/2019 6:44:00 AM
Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Toyota’s full line of material handling solutions help our customers get the job done, no matter how large or small the task. Whether you’re looking to acquire your first Toyota or want to expand your fleet of Toyota forklifts, use these videos as a guide to determine which product is the right fit for you.

Internal Combustion Forklift Official Videos:

The Mid IC Pneumatic is ready to help you tackle a wide variety of outdoor challenges.

The THD High-Capacity IC Pneumatic offers massive power, lifting up to 125,000 lbs.

Electric Forklift Official Videos:

The Toyota Core Electric Forklift offers great versatility and maintains high levels of productivity with its fast full-load travel speed.

The 3-Wheel Electric Forklift leads the industry in travel speed and run time and can fit into the narrowest of aisles.

The Stand-Up Rider Forklift offers unique dock-to-stock capabilities that make it one of Toyota’s most adaptable products.

The 80V Electric Forklift is built to handle rugged outdoor work in changing weather conditions and offers a green alternative to IC forklifts for outside applications.

Electric Pallet Jack and Stacker Official Videos:

The Electric Walkie Stacker offers a reliable and efficient warehouse stacking solution for the busiest of spaces.

The Electric Pallet Jack is an ideal solution for unloading and loading trailers while making mid-distance runs quicker and easier.

Reach Truck Official Video:

The Reach Truck allows operators to navigate narrow aisles and feel secure in fork placement when placing and pulling pallets from high racks.

Request a quote, parts or contact us today!

Posted by tfinco at 9/18/2019 7:49:00 PM
Sunday, September 15, 2019

Keeping a warehouse running smoothly and productively is one of the biggest challenges facing business operators across a wide variety of industries. Whether you’re moving pallets full of food, large stacks of tires, or other materials ready for distribution, choosing the right forklift can mean a world of difference in levels of productivity.

Toyota’s line of electric material handling equipment is wide-ranging and includes forklifts, electric walkie pallet jacks, electric stackers, order pickers, and reach trucks. All of these options increase your uptime because of low maintenance requirements, drastically cut the fuel cost of your fleet, and produce no fuel exhausts (which keeps your employees healthy and your goods clean). 

With lifting capacities ranging from 2,000-12,000 lbs., Toyota offers an electric option for almost any warehousing application. Here are just a few options that help make Toyota your full line supplier of material handling equipment.

Core Electric Forklift:

For light duty, light cycle jobs, the Toyota Core Electric forklift is the environmentally-friendly, easy to use solution.The Toyota Core Electric Forklift is one of the most versatile products available for your warehouse needs. Offering a 6,500 lb. lift capacity and the ability to navigate 11 ft. aisles, the Core Electric is a must-have for operations in large warehouse spaces.

 

 

Stand-Up Rider Forklift:

stand up rider, forklift, toyotaThe Toyota Stand-Up Rider Forklift is a warehouse solution for highly mobile operators. If your warehouse applications call for operators to constantly get on and off their forklift, the Stand-Up Rider might just be the right fit in tight spaces.

 

 

 

3-Wheel Electric Forklift:

3-wheel electric forklift loading pallets into truckThe Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift lets your operators maneuver tight aisles effortlessly. It can operate nimbly in spaces under 10’ because of its zero-turn radius and compact manufacturing.

 

 

80V Electric Pneumatic Forklift:

Toyota electric pneumatic tire forklift lifting pallet of product outdoorsWith its rugged design, The Toyota Electric Pneumatic Forklift is capable of withstanding harsh conditions when warehouses have both indoor and outdoor needs. Built to do similar work as its IC Pneumatic counterparts, these machines allow all-electric fleets to stay that way.

 

Electric Walkie Pallet Jack:

Toyota Electric Pallet Jacks and StackersFor mid-distance runs that require more speed and power than a standard hand pallet jack can provide, Toyota’s Electric Walkie Pallet Jack offers operators the flexibility they need to tackle many warehouse challenges. It also gives their backs a break from manual labor, keeping them working, happy, and healthy.

 

 

Electric Walkie Stacker:

Toyota electric pallet jackFor your short and mid-distance warehousing needs that require stacking capabilities, the Toyota Electric Walkie Stacker offers an alternative when a full-sized electric forklift just isn’t necessary. It’s ideal for light-duty stacking in busy warehouses.

 

Order Picker:

toyota, forklift, 6 series order pickerThe Toyota 6-Series and 7-Series Order Pickers offer easy solutions for your order retrieval needs. With their compact engineering, our order pickers can navigate in very narrow aisles allowing for more efficient warehouse design.

 

 

 

Reach Truck:

Electric Reach Truck loaded turning in warehouse aisleWith Toyota Reach Trucks, expanding warehouses can grow up instead of out. When you can reach high to several levels of warehouse racks, you efficiently use your space leading to increases in revenue and ROI.

 

 

 

Still not sure what warehouse forklift to choose? Here’s a quick reference by industry:

Warehouse application products infographic

For more information about Toyota electric warehouse products contact us or request a quote

Posted by tfinco at 9/15/2019 6:39:00 PM
Thursday, September 12, 2019

We understand that forklifts and palletized goods go hand-in-hand. But not all loads fit onto pallets, and we understand that, too. Some loads are bulky, oddly-shaped, and far too heavy to be lifted using a regular sit-down, stand-up rider, or walkie forklift model.

Over the years, Toyota Forklifts has evolved its product line to include some of the most robust, high-capacity material handling equipment on the market. The Toyota Heavy Duty line is built for big jobs.

And big jobs come in all shapes and sizes.

We’ve got massive machines that can move fully-loaded containers. Our High-Capacity Marina Forklift can lift boats – yes, boats – in and out of the water using its unique, galvanized marina forks. These machines take on some of the heaviest, toughest jobs out there – but there is still some uniformity to the loads they move.

The Forklift Rigging Boom Attachment

Why forks and a rigging boom attachment? We’re glad you asked!

When there isn’t uniformity to the stuff you’re moving, you need a solution as unique as the loads you’re lifting. The time may come when you need to move large machinery, molds, or dies in a variety of different locations or warehouse spaces. It can be challenging to move such odd-shaped loads safely and efficiently – especially indoors, where space and maneuverability limitations make jobs unsuitable for cranes or other traditional rigging apparatuses.

Imagine a forklift that can take on the added challenge of rigging materials. That’s where the Toyota High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase comes into play. With its hydraulically-powered, multi-stage telescoping boom, it offers the rigging capabilities that can handle unwieldy, oddly-shaped loads that other high-capacity trucks can’t.

Your load may require just the use of the standard boom attachment, which can be easily installed or removed and can be stored on portable stands until it is needed again. Other times, you might need just the forks without the boom attachment. But some loads require the boom attachment and the added support of the truck’s forks. Whatever your high-capacity lifting need, the Adjustable Wheelbase offers the versatility to take on the task.

HC adjustable wheelbase by Toyota

The Unique Counterweight of the Toyota High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase Rigging Forklift

When you think of large industrial equipment, “flexibility” is probably one of the last words that comes to mind. You won’t see our trucks doing cartwheels or walking a tightrope anytime soon – but that doesn’t mean we can’t be masters of flexibility, in the non-traditional sense, with the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase leading the charge.

We know that facilities are growing increasingly tried for storage space, and big trucks that lift several tons aren’t known for being small. But the Adjustable Wheelbase gives you the best of both worlds. With a horizontally-adjustable counterweight that extends with just the push of a button, this truck allows for load capacities up to 80,000 pounds. Then, retract the counterweight with another click of the button to move through tight spaces and store the forklift compactly when not in use.

The High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase models are also equipped with removable counterweight slabs, which can be great for rental companies that need to move this truck from place to place. Removing these slabs reduces the overall truck weight, giving you more transportation options.

Adjustable wheelbase with a hydraulically extendable counterweight

A Rigging Forklift with Remote-Control Access

Did you ever play with a remote-control car growing up? Well, imagine using a remote control on this rigging forklift beast.

It’s not quite the same as steering a small car around your living room floor, but it can control functions such as lifting and lowering, traveling, and extending the forklift’s counterweight.

This control is built with operator comfort in mind and equipped with a waist/shoulder strap for added comfort so that your operators are focused on the task at hand: ensuring each load is lifted properly and transported safely.

A High-Capacity Rigging Forklift with Today’s Technology

Taking the Toyota High-Capacity model lineup to the next level meant equipping our products with the latest forklift technology. The MD4 seven-inch touch screen display provides advanced diagnostics, performance details, and other vital forklift information right at your fingertips.
With the extendable counterweight of High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase, you’ll have more control over capacity options, and the MD4 display is right there with you, calculating the truck’s estimated lifting capacity at each configuration.

Some additional features of the MD4 Display include:

  • In-house programming capabilities
  • A pre-operation checklist
  • Customizable features such as auto-engine shutdown times and password protection
  • Onboard diagnostics and wiring diagrams
  • Operator and service manuals

A Specialized High-Capacity Rigging Forklift Built with the Toyota Promise

Not all Toyota Forklifts products are – well, forklifts. As a full-line material handling solutions provider, we build specialized equipment for a variety of lifting and material transportation needs. Extend your reach with AICHI E-Series Scissor Lifts, maneuver around airplanes with one of our tow tractors, or add automation to your facility with a Toyota Automated Guided Vehicle.

This rigging machine is one of many unique Toyota products, and it is proudly assembled in the United States to take on tough challenges. And because this is a Toyota, you’re promised a product produced with innovative design, a commitment to safety, and attention to detail.

Plus, when you invest in Toyota, you’re promised the top-of-the-line support and product expertise from the largest North American dealer network, in the industry. Toyota Certified Technicians always come prepared with Toyota Genuine Parts that will keep this high-capacity rigging forklift up and running.

For more information about the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase forklift and our other product offerings for unique applications, contact us or request a quote!

Posted by tfinco at 9/12/2019 6:48:00 PM
Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Construction, maintenance, and facility enhancements offer complex needs, especially when they occur in areas that are already in use. Current infrastructure can block access to a needed area. Equipment use of varied sorts can cause task execution headaches. And the people in high traffic environments challenge operators to move carefully to remain productive while remaining unobtrusive, allowing people to use those spaces with little interruption. A vertical mast lift offers one answer to help meet each of these challenges.

What is a Vertical Mast Lift?

Vertical mast lifts are a type of aerial work platform intended to provide access to high reaching tasks while allowing for tight fitting access and a small space footprint. While similar to scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts utilize a multi-stage mast that accommodates a smaller footprint than traditional personnel lifts like scissor lifts. They come equipped with platform extensions that extend beyond the base of the vehicle.

Navigating Existing Infrastructure with a Vertical Mast Lift

Facility designers often pay close attention to the long term maintenance needs of the operation. Sometimes those designers consider what equipment can be used to fulfill those needs. But over the lifetime of any evolving work environment, unexpected infrastructure changes arise – as do unexpected maintenance needs.

A vertical mast lift can help meet high reaching maintenance needs when original or new facility infrastructure can be difficult to navigate. With a width of only 30 inches and a length of four and a half feet, the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift can fit through standard doorways, in between tight racking, or in other spaces obstructed by infrastructure. Have a need to fit between ducts for heating and cooling work or pipes to fix facility plumbing? The platform dimensions of a vertical mast lift are built to access these spaces. And with many models like the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift equipped with zero-degree turn radius, versatility in maneuvering is optimal for tight locations. Has a new rack appeared directly beneath an electrical box you need to access? Position an AICHI Vertical Mast Lift next to the rack and use its 15-inch platform extension to reach over the rack and get to the task.

Integrating Vertical Mast Lifts with Other Equipment

Smart operations managers and construction project managers plan routing of their equipment carefully to make the most use of the space and assist operators in maintaining efficient operation. When maintenance needs arise in areas with high traffic from other equipment, a vertical mast lift’s small footprint can help optimize space. By working close to exterior walls of a facility or on the outside perimeter on a construction site and taking up little space, other industrial equipment can maintain optimal operation and efficiency.

Using Vertical Mast Lifts in Public Places

Maintenance in and around buildings that grant public access is a common need. While proper precautions need to be exercised when performing maintenance around non-facility personnel/operators, vertical mast lifts come equipped with features to assist in the protection of both the operator and passersby. The AICHI Vertical Mast Lift features systems like anti-rollback and lift interlock when a steep grade is detected. Standard pothole protectors and reduced travel speed when elevated also enhance the protection provided to the operators when working at height.

Vertical mast lifts are versatile and offer an excellent solution for accessing difficult to reach areas for maintenance. While they do provide a flexible solution, key considerations such as platform height need and weight requirements must be considered. As these requirements increase, consider investing instead in an AICHI Scissor Lift for increase height and weight capacity with a slightly larger physical footprint.

Original Post:  Mark Faiman, Product Planning Manager, Toyota Material Handling

Posted by tfinco at 9/10/2019 6:31:00 PM
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