Running a business where large goods are regularly transported can be a risky affair. Dropped and improperly handled products can lead to breakages and injuries, making it important to find the right tools for the job. Luckily, material handling tools can help safely lift and transport heavy objects, easing the stress caused by heavy lifting. 

In this article, you can find out everything you need to know about material handling tools and how they can benefit your company. 

The History of Handling Tools

While it may seem difficult to imagine, handling tools have been used by civilisations for millennia. Then, material handling tools were types of sledges and rollers. They developed into early types of cranes. The biggest developments came as these tools no longer needed to be operated through manual labour. Today, we utilise electricity and other fuel to run the equipment needed for our material handling tools. 

The Introduction of Hydraulics

Most of our modern-day material handling tools use a technology known as hydraulics. Hydraulics have been used since early and ancient eras, in a much more basic form. Water was used to power the tools naturally, utilising inventions like water wheels. Today, a similar system works inside of our machinery, on a much smaller scale. A hydraulic pump will push fluid through a system, which converts it into power.

Handling Practices

When it comes to handling heavy goods, it’s important to do so carefully. Without knowing the proper handling practices, it can be easy to slip into bad habits that have dangerous consequences, for both the handler and others around them. Read on to learn about proper equipment training and safe lifting.

Equipment Training

To properly operate any machinery, a person must be trained to do so. Large material handling equipment, such as tilting lift tables, can be dangerous if misused. By properly training staff to use these heavy-duty tools, they will understand how to keep themselves safe during machine operation.

Safe Lifting

When it comes to lifting materials and products by hand, it’s vital to do so correctly. Without knowing the proper lifting techniques, you and your staff risk serious injuries. It’s important to always bend your knees while lifting, rather than putting strain on your back. This way, the weight is far more evenly distributed across your body while lifting, preventing the risk of damage to your body.

The Types of Material Handling Tools

Finding the right material handling tool for the job need not be difficult, thanks to the wide variety of equipment available. From electric lift tables to cranes, it has become easier than ever to make a task doable. In this section, you can find out more about the different types of tools available for making material lifting easy.

Electric Lift Tables

Scissor lifts are regularly used by businesses that work at height, but did you know that there is a table version? These handy tools are known as electric lift tables, designed to lift goods to height. Using the same system of crisscrossed metal as a scissor lift, the table can be extended upward for use of the flat surface in a different position. 

When it comes to the uses and applications of electric lift tables, the sky’s the limit. These tools are particularly useful for product inspections, lifting heavy items safely to a height where their underside can be viewed. This is great for industrial work and dealing with heavy machinery, such as an automotive vehicle. 

Lift and Tilt Tables

The right positioning is essential for working safely, which is easily achieved using a lift and tilt table. With a scissor lift design, the flat surface of a tilt table can be extended upwards and titled to provide the optimal position for workers, perfectly adapting to their needs.

Lift and tilt tables are adaptable machines, great for material handling. Goods positioned correctly with a tilt table can be easily carried to new locations, or readily used on a production floor. Similarly, lift and tilt tables make great ergonomic workstations. Here, an employee can bring a seat to the surface, allowing them to fully see what they’re working on without the need for strenuous bending or uncomfortable standing.

Lift Trolleys

Similar to electric lift tables, lift trolleys use hydraulics to push a table upward. The main difference, however, is that lift trolleys have wheels. With an easy handle, these tables can be transported around a space with ease, making them great for an accessible method of lifting.

Lift trolleys have a variety of uses and benefits, making them a worthwhile investment for any warehouse. They can reduce the physical strain on your employees, resulting in a lower risk of injury from dangerous bending. Supporting your employees will also produce productivity and help to get the job done faster, helping to increase overall profits.

Forklifts

As iconic features of warehouses, forklifts are easily recognised for a reason. Used for a variety of purposes, forklifts easily pick up heavy goods and items on pallets, ready to be transported to a new location. They come in all shapes and sizes, tailored to different uses from storing items on high shelves to traversing rough terrain.

While we traditionally think of forklifts as trucks, there are many other types of forklifts available. The traditional style of forklift is known as a counterbalance truck, as they are weighted at the rear to remain stable while transporting goods. On the other hand, another type of forklift is a pallet truck, a small machine that usually consists of two prongs supported by wheels, available for manual or electric operation.

Cranes

Known for their use in construction and landscaping services, cranes are brilliant for lifting even the heaviest loads. You can find cranes being used in ports, construction zones and even railyards. They come in a variety of sizes and colours, making it easy to find exactly the one you need. 

There are a range of crane attachments available, altering cranes to perform a different purpose. Material handling attachments, for example, are advantageous and adapted to lift pallets, bricks and soft materials. Similarly, forestry attachments can make landscaping considerably easier, with log grabs, log crackers and even tree shears available. These mentioned attachments barely scratch the surface of what is available, with unique and specialist attachments on the market now. 

The Businesses That Benefit

While not every business requires material handling tools, they can be essential and beneficial to a variety of industries and businesses. In fact, many businesses source products from warehouses, where forklifts and tilt tables are essentials. Read on to find out three types of businesses that are likely to use and benefit from material handling tools.

Assembly and Production Lines

In both assembly and production lines, swift and efficient working is key. It can be difficult to maintain, however, with machines working quickly to get the job done. Employing tools like electric lift tables is brilliant for providing an easy and well-positioned surface for working, easily lowered without requiring heavy and dangerous lifting or large invasive equipment.

Construction Companies

When working on a construction site, having the right equipment to lift heavy goods is essential. Bags of bricks routinely need to be transported, both vertically and horizontally, with the help of material handling equipment. Without these tools, it would be difficult for a project to stay on budget and get the job done quickly.

Supermarkets

Moving heavy stock can be a challenge, particularly at the rate required by supermarkets. Regular deliveries mean the stock has to be moved quickly, as well as food regulation laws requiring cold foods to be returned to fridges and freezers before reaching a certain temperature. Luckily, implementing tools like electric lift tables can be great for transporting heavy goods at delivery, or helping to move products to be stored on high shelving.