Material handling equipment encompasses a wide range of machinery and tools, from small, hand-operated devices to large, motorized vehicles. This type of equipment can help you transport and move products, materials, or inventory in your production facility or warehouse. There are also a number of machines that can assist with warehousing processes or help you speed up the process of getting finished goods to your clients.
Some examples of material handling equipment include electric tugs, pallet trucks, trolleys and sack trucks. An electric tug is a small battery powered and pedestrian operated machine capable of pushing or pulling a significantly heavier load than itself. This device is used to assist in moving smaller loads where larger equipment would struggle, such as on a tight corner or over uneven ground.
Other types of material handling equipment include hoppers, stackers and conveyor systems. A hopper is a container that can be filled and emptied with bulk products like grain or corn. Stackers are automated machines that can stack materials on docks or in warehouse storage facilities. Conveyor systems are large automated structures that move items on racks and aisles to specific destinations, typically using a system of conveyor belts or a combination of drums and pulleys.
Using material handling equipment helps your business stay on budget and get products to clients faster. It also reduces the chances of damaged products, which could lead to dissatisfied customers and lost revenue for your business.
The main disadvantage of implementing this type of equipment in the workplace is that it requires skilled operators to operate the equipment effectively. Those who are inexperienced will have difficulty operating the machine and may end up damaging it or making errors. This can cost the company a lot of money in repairs and replacement costs.
Another disadvantage is that the equipment takes up a lot of space in the workplace. It is essential that you have enough space in your production facility to accommodate the different types of equipment that you will be using. This is especially important if you have multiple pieces of material handling equipment that will all be used at the same time.
It is important to note that, despite the initial expense associated with purchasing and implementing material handling equipment, it can save your business a significant amount of money in the long run. As manufacturers and distributors operate on tight margins, they are often accustomed to looking at each expenditure with an eye toward saving as much money as possible while maximizing productivity. This applies to material handling equipment and processes just as it does to any other operational expenses.
