A Walkie Rider Pallet Jack is an electric-powered pallet jack in which an operator stands on an integrated platform while operating. They are designed to easily move products through a warehouse or distribution center. Its power, maneuverability, and ergonomic design allow operators to efficiently make long runs from one end of the facility to the other and comfortably handle multiple stops.

Walkie Rider Pallet Jacks: A Customizable Solution for Many Applications

The Walkie Rider Pallet Jack provides a reliable solution to the challenges faced in a variety of industries and applications, including beverage, cold storage, food storage, general manufacturing, general warehousing, and retail. It operates effectively indoors as a low-level warehouse picker and pallet mover.

With the wide range of options and accessories, the Walkie Rider Pallet Jack can be customized to improve your operation’s productivity and efficiency. For example, customers who move materials in and out of cold climates can add a cold storage conditioning option that helps protect components from water and condensation. The galvanized option includes all the elements of the cold storage option, but adds more protection against corrosive environments.

Some of the popular options and accessories include:

Battery compartment rollers — Provide rollers at the bottom of the battery compartment and dual side gates to allow the pallet jack battery to be rolled out from either the left or right hand side of the truck.
Coast control with jog buttons — Allows the end-controlled rider pallet jack to be moved forward at the touch of a button for low-level order picking while walking next to the forklift.
Load wheels and drive tires — Different compound types and load wheel configurations are available to assist with long runs, tight turns, and pallet entry. See our How to Make Decisions Between Polyurethane and Nylon Pallet Jack Wheels for more information.

Walkie Rider Pallet Jacks Available from Toyota

Toyota offers two models of the Walkie Rider Pallet Jack:

End-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack
Center-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack

Both models are AC-powered with a multifunction control handle with angled handgrips and wrap-around hand guard and have a load capacity of 6,000 to 8,000 pounds.

The major difference between the End-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack and the Center-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack is the positioning of the operator platform. The End-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack operator stands on the platform on the tractor side and rides with the unit, while the Center-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack operator to stands on the platform between the forks and the battery. Also, the End-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack has a maximum fork length of 144 inches and the Center-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack has a 103 inch maximum fork length.

Despite having some design differences, the two models share similar functional advantages. The multifunction control handle allows riders to simply manage all the controls with either hand. In addition, the high-speed interlock allows operators to maintain a top travel speed of 6.2 mph with a full load for long-distance transport without continuously pressing a button.

Other important advantages include:

Programmable performance parameter that can be customized through a digital display to adjust for a variety of job applications.
Self-diagnostics to simplify troubleshooting and eliminate the need for an external hand-held analyzer.
A glance-and-go display that provides a quick summary of key information.

Original Post: Hunter Liggett, TMH Marketing Intern

Marked advancements in technology have made it possible for autonomous vehicles to become a distinct reality.  Today, many different types of equipment such as AGVs and industrial robotics are used to handle monotonous tasks such as building and horizontally transporting pallets. The next logical step in this transition is to automate stacking and storage of products, something that current AGV models are incapable of performing.

Toyota’s new automated 3-wheel electric, on display at ProMat 2019, was built to do just that. Natural features navigation allows the truck to learn the layout of your facility and continually update mapping of the facility over time – no costly reflectors or wearable magnetic tape required. And the ability to operate the truck manually when needed adds a valuable level of versatility that is ideal for developing facilities and those that are just beginning their journey into automation.

Although this forklift is still in the design phase, it is an initial step in a series of technological advancements planned by Toyota to bring fully integrated automation solutions to the forefront of the material handling industry.

Also on display at ProMat 2019 were Toyota’s center-controlled rider AGV, automated moving mast reach truck, and mouse tug-cart AGV. Seeing these machines in action demonstrates how a real-life application can benefit from multiple different types of automated equipment handling horizontal and vertical placement of pallets in a facility.

Toyota’s strategic partnership with Toyota Advanced Logistics allows for a comprehensive solution that marries advanced systems and robotics with forklifts to maximize efficiency at the parcel level. Also on display at ProMat 2019, a palletizing robot that can build pallets for forklifts to pick up and move to their next destination. This is just one example of how an integration between traditional and automated material handling solutions can benefit your business.

Though you likely won’t see any super heroes using forklifts as a means to thwart crime anytime soon, automated forklifts meeting all or most of your material handling challenges may not be as far away as you think.

Whether you are just beginning to automate some of your material handling processes or you are looking for advanced solutions to complete tasks, our Warehouse Solutions team is here to help you carry the load.
 
Original Post: Trinton Castetter, Product Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling

Forklift accidents can happen anywhere, but because loading docks are typically narrow and elevated, they’re one place where extra caution should be used. Common loading dock incidents include falling off the edge of the dock, and skidding or slipping due to wet or icy conditions. So how can the risk of loading dock accidents be reduced?

First and foremost, make sure the trailer is secured to the dock using a locking device, either on the trailer’s rear impact guard or rear wheel.  One common and dangerous issue that can arise when loading and unloading trailers in a loading dock, is the truck driver not realizing the forklift is still in the truck and pulling away, which causes the forklift to roll out. “Trailer Creep”, which happens when trailers gradually move away from the dock because of constant movement inside them, can also happen. The only way to prevent these two things from happening is to completely secure the trailer with a locking device on the trailer’s rear impact guard or rear wheel.

Clean off the surface of the loading dock. One common cause of accidents involving forklifts and loading docks is ice or water covering the dock. Clean the dock off before operating the forklift on it to help prevent sliding issues.

Also, remember to always maintain a safe distance from the edge of the loading dock. OSHA doesn’t recommend a specific measurement between a forklift and the edge of a loading dock, but you should implement good judgment to avoid falling off the side of the loading dock. Painting the edges of the loading dock a bright color is one thing you can do to help forklift operators stay aware of dock edges.

By doing the three things above, you’re well on your way to reducing accidents on loading docks, but keep these things in mind too:

• Anyone operating a forklift should be trained. Proper operating training is the number-one way to prevent accidents.
• Implementing a daily loading dock inspection is important to the safety of operators and truck drivers alike.
• Keep the product secure on your pallets by covering them in plastic or metal.
• Double check floors of trailers before driving on them to ensure they’re sturdy enough to handle the weight of the forklift.
• Consider creating a dock shelter to keep rain and snow off loading docks, which can cause them to be slippery.

Original Post:  Jake Stewart, Digital Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling USA

Using forklifts effectively in any application requires assessing how they will work in concert with the other elements of your facility. From understanding your dock capabilities to making sure pallet racks and forklifts match up appropriately, a successful facility takes into account every touchpoint of forklifts in use.

An easy to overlook touchpoint that requires attention is facility flooring. Too often, operations that use forklifts experience unexpected damage to both product and equipment because floors become damaged. In this post, I’ll discuss some of the impacts of damaged floors on equipment and personnel, help identify some trouble areas on concrete floors, and discuss possible solutions to damaged flooring.

Concrete Floors and Forklift Ergonomics

The thing about forklifts? They’re aren’t equipped with the suspension system of a luxury SUV. When you roll over a bump while driving a forklift, you’re going to feel it. And while Toyota forklifts are ergonomically designed for operators’ optimal comfort, a floor that’s fallen into disrepair will place stress and strain on an operators’ body. Maintaining a floor inspection schedule is key to preventing damage. But if you’re an operator and you see or feel floor damage, make sure your report it.

Concrete Floors and Forklift or Product Damage

Most forklifts that operate indoors will have cushion tires, and cushion tires are not manufactured to withstand uneven terrain. Uneven terrain includes flooring surfaces where chunks of floor are missing or general rough patches are present. When you continually drive cushion tires on a damaged floor, you’re likely to shorten the intervals between necessary tire replacement, placing strain on the forklift and on your budget.

Damaged floors might also be hazardous for the products you’re moving. Not only will driving over damaged floors cause less than optimal work conditions for your operators, it increases the risk of product spills if items fall from pallets due to traveling over the uneven terrain. Even something as seemingly negligible as increased vibration of products on a pallet can damage certain types of materials. Making sure your floors receive optimal care helps protect your investment in the product.

An even bigger investment might be your forklifts; those capital investments need protection, too. Forklifts are designed to have a low center of gravity, so there are many points on a forklift such as under the mast and chassis where under clearance is minimal. If a clearance assessment was made prior to acquiring the forklift, this may have been done prior to any flooring damage. Should floors later become damaged, you might not have the necessary clearance, potentially increasing impacts on the forklift. Such sudden impacts caused by poor flooring conditions can also damage internal forklift components over time, potentially causing a forklift to become unstable.

One helpful preventive measure? Toyota’s T-matics solution can be installed on most Toyota equipment to monitor for impacts and assess where they occur. If there is damaged floor where impacts are occurring often, T-matics might be able to help you identify the problem.

Concrete Floors Inspection Tip: Check the Joints

Performing a regular visual inspection of your floors is highly recommended. One main problem area that requires frequent inspection are the joints between concrete slabs. Because these are inherent weak points in the floor and receive pull away pressure from the weight of forklifts, they are likely to be the first places that fall into disrepair from natural wear and tear. Replacing concrete joints when they become damaged might seem like a costly investment. However, the long-term ROI of less forklift repair and more efficient operations makes the investment worthwhile.

Concrete Floors and Friction

The condition of your concrete floors goes even beyond the damage that they undergo due to wear and tear. You must also consider how friction plays a role in several critical forklift functions. When floors are wet or slick due to spills or chemicals that are used, it reduces the friction of the tire surface with the ground. This can have a significant impact on a forklift’s ability to stop or accelerate effectively, which can be an eminent safety hazard. It is imperative that floor surfaces are cleaned properly and allowed to dry before attempting to drive over them. Ensuring that the floor is also free of debris and any obstructions will help to avoid potentially unsafe driving situations. Be sure to thoroughly read and understand your forklift’s operator manual for more information regarding proper floor conditions for your particular piece of equipment.

Whatever you plan strategically to make sure your floors stay in top condition, having an inspection plan in place is key to success. Material handling investments work hand in hand with facility investments, right from the ground up.

Original Post By:  Jake Stewart, Digital Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling, USA

Your business is growing and you either need to expand your current warehouse or build a new warehouse to support your growth. Sounds like a good problem to have! At least, until you have to decide what type of pallet racking system you need to install. In its simplest form, a pallet racking system is a material storage system. Pallet racking helps you stay organized within your warehouse and better manage you inventory. Choosing pallet racking, however, is not as simple as selecting a pallet rack brand and installing it. There several racking types that help you meet your needs. The type of racking you choose depends on a few criteria:

• How tall the racking needs to be
• What goods will be stored
• What the floor plan will be
• What type of inventory management system makes sense for your product and operation
• What types of forklifts you currently use or forklifts you intend to switch to

Types of Pallet Racking: Selective Racking

Selective racking systems are some of the most common and widely used racking systems, mainly because they are less expensive and easier to install than other, more specialized racking systems. Selective racking is great for warehouses that store a large amount of stock keeping units (SKUs). Selective pallet racking is usually a single-deep pallet rack. This type of racking makes any given pallet in the rack system accessible without having to move another pallet.

Types of Pallet Racking: Cantilever Racking

Cantilever Racking systems are used to store items that cannot be easily stored on pallets. Warehouses that use cantilever rack, usually store longer and heavier items to be stored horizontally across multiple arms (like lumber or steel pipes). Pallet racks, on the other hand, have vertical uprights that limit the length of stored items. This is the primary difference between cantilever racking and pallet racking.

Types of Pallet Racking: Pallet Flow Racking

Pallet flow racking systems are also referred to as “gravity flow” racking systems. Pallet flow racking systems are best suited for the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory management methodology. When you load a pallet from the loading aisle and onto the lane rollers, gravity allows the pallet to roll to the front of the system. When the pallet is removed from the front of the racking system, the pallets behind roll to the front of the lane. Pallet flow racking allows for high-density storage while maintaining FIFO. Some pallet flow racking systems may hold up to 20 pallets deep in one lane, minimizing the number of aisles needed to store items while maintaining efficient inventory turnover.

Types of Pallet Racking: Push Back Racking

Push back racking systems is another high density storage option, with the ability to store up to six pallets deep on either side of an aisle. There are usually three carts stacked on top of each other.  The first pallet is loaded from the front in a push back racking system and sits on the top cart. When the second pallet is loaded, it pushes the top cart with the first pallet back. Push back racking gives you higher density storage than selective racking systems, while allowing you more selectivity with storing items than other types of racking, meaning you can store more SKUs.

Types of Pallet Racking: Drive-In Racking

Drive-In racking systems are great for storing large volumes of just a few SKUs and can also be configured to manage inventory with FIFO or last-in, first-out (LIFO). With drive-in racking, the forklift literally drives into the racking system to move a pallet. This type of pallet racking system is cost effective by maximizing the amount of storage space in your warehouse.

Choosing between these types of racking systems will depend on the various goals of your operation and the relevant inventory data like volume and throughput. No matter your decision, always be sure that this racking is installed safely and effectively to increase productivity.  Dillon Toyota Lift's Warehouse Solutions team is here to help from start to finish.  

Original post by:  Kenny Trusnik, Marketing Systems & eCommerce Specialist, Toyota Material Handling, USA

It’s a given – Dillon Toyota Lift has you covered when it comes to forklifts.  But did you know we also offer racking, dock equipment, cleaning equipment, scissor lifts, batteries, and attachments? That’s right – DTL is your full solutions provider for everything material handling, including warehouse design!   

Do you need to set up a new warehouse or better utilize your current space? Dillon Toyota Lift's Warehouse Solutions team can provide project design and layout, seismic engineering, permit application/approval, and more.  Not only that, we can purchase the racking and warehouse systems, and manage the installation process. Leave it to our in-house Warehouse Solutions team to figure out just what you need.

Does your warehouse or facility need a good cleaning? DTL also offers a full-line of Advance Industrial Cleaning Equipment that includes sweepers, scrubbers, sweeper-scrubbers and wet/dry vacs.  

Do you need more space in your facility? Dillon Toyota Lift also offers mezzanies.  Mezzanines can create additional space for a variey of different uses from storage to extra office space.  

As you can see, Dillon Toyota Lift has specialties that extend beyond the #1 selling forklift (Toyota).  If we can’t provide a solution, we can point you to an expert. So, the next time you need something unique for your facility or business, contact Dillon Toyota Lift!

It’s a given – Dillon Toyota Lift has you covered when it comes to material handling equipment. But did you know we also offer warehouse design and system integration?   Today's warehouse can range from simple shelving to complex systems.  Whether your business is growing or just starting, an efficient warehouse is more important than ever.

Dillon Toyota Lift Warehouse Solutions specialize in material handling equipment, warehouse design and system integration.   DTL knows that your business has specific needs and material handling is not always a one size fits all package.  We believe the key to a successful system begins with communication, planning and focusing on your needs.  Dillon Toyota Lift Warehouse Solutions offers a full range of services, including:  

Preliminary Consultation & Data Collection
• Project Design & Layout
• Equipment Purchasing
• Seismic Engineering
• Permit Application & Approval
• Project Management
• Professional in-house Installation
• Employee Training

Ready to get started?  Contact us today!