Stand up and see the benefits: Five reasons to shift to stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks

Dec. 8, 2014

It has long been clear that lift trucks are important for tactical activities in warehouse and distribution facilities. Recently, their strategic value has become equally important; businesses are realizing the advantages of investing in lift trucks to run better and manage smarter.

Specifically, stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks can increase productivity with faster, smoother operation from dock to stock. They feature a clear line of sight in every direction for efficient handling and stacking. Shorter head lengths also allow for maneuverability in tight spaces.

It has long been clear that lift trucks are important for tactical activities in warehouse and distribution facilities. Recently, their strategic value has become equally important; businesses are realizing the advantages of investing in lift trucks to run better and manage smarter.

Specifically, stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks can increase productivity with faster, smoother operation from dock to stock. They feature a clear line of sight in every direction for efficient handling and stacking. Shorter head lengths also allow for maneuverability in tight spaces.

In some cases, facility managers consider both stand-up and sit-down counterbalanced lift trucks. Although selecting the right lift truck is heavily dependent on the application, there are many benefits of stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks to be considered. When evaluating their lift truck fleet, facility managers can keep in mind the following reasons to shift to stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks:

  • Easy on-and-off access. If your application requires an operator to frequently go from on the lift truck to off the lift truck, a stand-up counterbalanced lift truck is the ideal piece of equipment to use. Stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks have step heights approximately nine inches off of the ground, whereas sit-down counterbalanced lift trucks are 15 to 20 inches off the ground. This allows for easier on and off for operators. Additionally, stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks do not require seatbelts or harnesses. For this reason, entering and exiting a stand-up counterbalanced lift truck is more efficient.
  • Greater visibility. Applications that require an operator to drive in reverse or look backward are better suited for stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks. Designed with a dock stance, stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks allow for increased operator visibility — especially as operators reverse or look backward. In these instances, an operator only has to turn his or her head 90 degrees, versus 180 degrees with a sit-down counterbalanced lift truck. Some stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks feature open-view masts, which provide operators with a clearer line of sight to the load.
  • Maneuverability. Stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks have a shorter head length and independent dual drive, which enable maneuverability through tight spaces and corners. Because the design of a stand-up counterbalanced lift truck is narrower than that of a sit-down counterbalanced lift truck, its smaller dimensions allow navigation with precision — which is especially important in crowded docks and small spaces.
  • Heavier loads. High-residual capacity loads can be better with stand-up lift trucks — specifically stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks. Powerful load capacities of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds are possible through stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks. These lift trucks evenly distribute full-rated capacities up to 200 inches, which is important when attachments, cross-docking and dock-to-stock runs are required.
  • Battery flexibility. Stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks use batteries that can be easily swapped in Class II lift trucks, allowing for a common size battery for the fleet.

In your high-density warehouse or distribution facility, stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks provide visibility, maneuverability, comfort and speed — paving a smooth road to productivity.

For more information, please visit www.raymondcorp.com.

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