Tips for Using Pallet Jacks

Using a pallet jack may seem like a straightforward process. However, using a pallet jack incorrectly

can result in property loss or injury. The following tips will help ensure you use a pallet jack safely and effectively.

·         Plan your load - There are several things you need to take into consideration when planning your load. For instance, the weight of the load, where the load is going, the size of the load and whether or not you can see around the load once it's on the jack. If you can't, you'll need a spotter.

·         Inspect the pallet jack - You'll want to make sure the pallet jack is in good working order, without any cracks or signs of damage. Don't forget to inspect the pallet jack wheels to ensure they are also free from cracks and are in good working order.

·         Use the right pallet jack for the job - Pallet jacks have different load capacities, so it's critical the jack you are using is able to handle the weight and size of your load.

·         Evenly distribute the load - Because a top-heavy load can easily tip over causing injury, always load the heaviest items first. Then make sure the pallet jack's forks are centered evenly under the load to ensure stability and maintain balance. When possible, break larger loads down into smaller ones. OSHA recommends keeping the weight of loads down so that less than 50 pounds of pushing force is necessary.

·         Always push, never pull - Speaking of pushing, always push your load in order to maintain control and avoid muscle strain.

·         Maintain proper clearance - Maintaining a distance of approximately an inch between the floor and the pallet will help keep the load more stable than if the load is higher off the ground.

Follow these tips and you're sure to have an easier, safer experience.

Common Caster Wheel Types

Caster wheels might all come in the same shape, but they certainly come in a wide variety of sizes

and materials. To determine which type of caster wheel is best for your particular needs, read on.

Cast iron/semi steel - These wheels are abrasion resistant and are easy to start rolling. Cast iron/semi-steel wheels are ideal for use on concrete and smooth steel, and are resistant to extreme temperatures. They are also a good choice for environments containing oil and grease, animal fats, metal chips, and mild chemicals.

Steel - Forged steel or ductile steel caster wheels are an ideal choice when floor protection is not an issue and in situations where loads are too heavy for floor protective wheels. Forged steel wheels provide the best impact strength, ease of movement, and greatest load capacity of all caster wheels.

Nylon - Glass filled nylon wheels are extremely heat resistant, up to 490 degrees continuous or 550 degrees intermittent. Nylon wheels are also durable, resist hard impacts, are non-marking, and are resistant to cleaning agents as well as oils and greases.

Rubber - When you need a higher load capacity than soft rubber wheels, hard rubber wheels are a good choice. They are extremely durable and won't flatten while sitting under loads. Hard rubber wheels are also durable and have fluid ease of movement. However, they are not non-marking.

Phenolic - These wheels are constructed of phenolic resin and macerated canvas. Phenolic wheels are commonly used for push/pull applications. In addition to being ideal for high weight loads and being resistant to extreme temperatures, they are also economic.

Pneumatic - Pneumatic wheels are air-filled, offering high floor protection as well as the ability to easily roll over obstructions. The wheels also provide shock absorption and cushioning, making them ideal for fragile loads.

These are just a few of the many types of caster wheels available.  

Tips for Choosing Office Furniture

If you're furnishing an office, it can be tough to choose from the seemingly endless array of available

office furniture. However, the following tips can help you narrow things down and choose the best furnishings for your office.

Consider office size and layout - The most important thing to consider when choosing office furniture is the size of the space you have to work with and the layout of your office. For instance, you may find a desk you love but if there isn't enough room to open the drawers — or worse it blocks an emergency exit — you'll have to find something smaller.

Choose practicality over style - You might want your office to look like a modern art museum but if the pieces aren't functional, there's no point in having them. Look at furniture with an eye for practicality, such as office chairs with furniture casters or filing cabinets large enough to accommodate all your paperwork.

Get comfortable - Ergonomics and comfort are two extremely important factors when choosing office furniture. If you're going to be spending several hours a day at a desk, you'll risk injury and chronic discomfort if that desk isn't ergonomically designed. Likewise, you'll want to ensure clients are comfortable, so choose seating accordingly.

Remember: you get what you pay for - Budgets are often tight when you're first starting a business, so it can be tempting to spend as little as possible on furnishing your office. However, choosing cheap furniture now can mean needing to replace it in the not too distant future, which means you won't be saving any money in the long run. Pay a little more for good quality up front and you'll enjoy a much better return on your investment.

Keep these tips in mind and you'll be sure to choose furniture that's right for you.

What’s Considered a Heavy Load for a Pallet Jack? – Part 2

In our previous post, we talked about what is considered a heavy load for a pallet jack. Here are some more things that are considered a heavy load and how pallet jack wheels can help you redistribute the weight.

In addition to the standard pallet jacks that are rated for 5,500 lbs., there are also pallet jacks available that can lift loads as much as 11,000 pounds. For such massive weight, steel pallet jack wheels are typically the right choice that manufacturers make for heavy duty pallet jacks. While these wheels might not roll as smoothly as polyurethane wheels and won’t be as quiet, they can withstand extremely heavy loads.

They are also able to resist lots of damage from debris that could be covering concrete floors. These steel wheels are strong, sturdy, and durable, and are likely the ideal option when it comes to pallet jacks that have to lift very heavy loads.

For heavy-duty pallet jacks with load capacities of more than 10,000 pounds, the load wheels can also be doubled. Instead of having one single load wheel underneath the tip of every fork, two wheels can be used. Utilizing a pair of wheels will allow the forks of the pallet jack to be able to withstand a lot more weight.

What’s Considered a Heavy Load for a Pallet Jack? – Part 1

Pallet jacks are among the most useful types of material handling equipment out there. They can be used in a variety of applications, including in warehouses, on loading docks to transport incoming freight, and in retail shops to move stock from storage to the aisles and shelves.

Pallet jacks come in all sorts of different styles. Standard models are constructed to enter and lift standard sized pallets that are 27 inches wide, whereas 21-inch wide models can be used for narrower pallets, and 18-inch wide models are used for moving items in much narrower aisles. Pallet jacks can be operated manually or by electric battery power. They can come with scales to weigh loads as they are being lifted.

So what exactly is considered a heavy load when it comes to a pallet jack? The answer to this question depends on the standard usage in different industries, but one way to define load ranges is to identify the standard models of pallet jacks that are currently available. Many standard pallet jacks are typically rated for 5,500 pounds.

In our next post, we’ll talk about certain pallet jack wheels and how they can help to transport loads over 10,000 lbs.

How to Increase the Weight Capacity of Your Cart

Maybe you bought a cart some time ago, not quite properly anticipating the weight of the items you

were going to use the cart to carry around your office, store, restaurant, warehouse, factory, or other facility. Maybe you’re considering buying a new cart so you can start transporting bigger items, but you don’t really have room in the budget. Luckily, you can increase the weight capacity of your existing cart within reason for a much more affordable price than you might think.

Add a Sturdier Caster

The plate casters on your cart are largely responsible for the amount of weight the cart can safely and comfortably handle. Upgrading to a sturdier set of casters can allow you to transport hundreds, perhaps even a thousand, more pounds. Replacing worn out casters can also make a huge difference to the cart’s handling.

Swap Cart Material

Casters aren’t the only part of the cart that determines how much weight you can transport. If the cart is made of flimsy material, you can’t safely put hundreds more pounds on it. Replace or add to the cart material with something sturdier — such as solid wood or metal — to make it sturdier.

Load Differently

Put the heavier items on the bottom of the cart and your cart will be better able to handle the added weight. Having heavier items at the bottom is especially important when you’re still testing how much the cart can safely handle. If the cart tips over, you want the heavier items to have less distance to fall.

An Access Casters representative would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the reasonable weight capacity of your carts. If switching the wheels still won’t allow the cart to handle the type of weight you have in mind, we’ll recommend a cart that can, making sure it fits within your budget.

How to Get More Life out of Your Pallet Jack

Pallet jacks are no cheap investment, but if you operate a warehouse, factory, or other large facility,

they’re simply a must for moving items, accepting deliveries, and preparing products for distribution. However, like with a lot of equipment, the more use they get, the less of a lifespan they have. Make your investment go further with pallet jacks that simply last longer between replacements.

Replace the Wheels

Replace your pallet jack wheels on a regular basis; the more often you use the equipment, the more often you should change them. Replace them even before you notice extreme wear and tear, as newer wheels will allow the jack to operate more smoothly. For example, with better tread, the equipment won’t need to be pushed as hard and won’t wear out its other parts as quickly.

Replace Other Parts

Replace the wheels most often — depending on how much use the equipment gets, somewhere between once a year and once every few months — but also change the other parts on a semi-regular basis. For example, brackets and sockets can get worn, especially if the jack operates under wet conditions and rust starts eating away at the parts. When these parts are replaced, the wheels last longer and the jack is useful for longer.

Clean the Jack Regularly

Grime, dust, mud, metal shavings, and other small debris can get caught in the jack’s undercarriage and wheels and impede the operation of the jack or cause it to need to be replaced sooner. Clean the jacks on a regular basis but also be sure to dry them off thoroughly so the parts don’t rust.