| Operating and maintaining a forklift fleet can be a | | | | trucks out of service for hours. Swapping for a |
| major drain on a company's resources, both in | | | | freshly charged power source allows the forklift |
| terms of money and personnel. There are a | | | | to get back in service faster, but slow battery |
| number of battery handling systems designed to | | | | changes can greatly impact how much work the |
| improve efficiency in large forklift fleets, but | | | | truck gets done in a day. This is a huge factor for |
| many managers don't realize there are also tools | | | | small fleets where losing one forklift greatly |
| designed to work with small fleets. If a company | | | | reduces fleet size. |
| has even a handful of forklifts at its site, a | | | | Battery handling systems make swaps quick and |
| battery handling system can be extremely | | | | effortless. Discharged cells are extracted from |
| beneficial. | | | | the lift trucks in a short time, and quickly replaced |
| Worker Safety | | | | with a fresh unit. The equipment can do the job |
| Countless workers are injured every year handling | | | | faster than a worker alone, getting the truck |
| forklift batteries without the proper tools. The | | | | back on the line much sooner. |
| units are heavy and workers can strain muscles | | | | Lower Expenses |
| or suffer injuries when the cells are dropped. | | | | Small companies may shy away from buying |
| They contain acid that can burn skin, produce | | | | battery handling systems because they feel they |
| explosive hydrogen gas, and even drained | | | | can't afford the expense. This equipment is an |
| batteries can still carry enough of a charge to | | | | investment in efficient company operation that will |
| produce a dangerous electrical shock. | | | | pay for itself in a short time. |
| Injuries are a concern any time a worker tries to | | | | Reduced worker injury means lower liability, less |
| complete a task without the proper tools. Battery | | | | work time lost to injury, and happier, more |
| handling systems allow workers to handle | | | | productive employees. Faster power cell changes |
| equipment safely. The tools allow workers to pull | | | | translate into greater productivity and a larger |
| batteries from forklifts, transport them to a | | | | average number of active forklifts in operation at |
| storage area, and charge them all while minimizing | | | | any time. Faster changes also allow batteries to |
| dangerous contact. The systems not only protect | | | | be replaced before they are completely drained, |
| the workers, but they also allow them to feel | | | | leaving a truck stranded. Operational hours can be |
| safe and relaxed while performing their jobs, | | | | extended rather than being dictated by the life of |
| which can lead to increased productivity. | | | | a vehicle charge. |
| Faster Operations | | | | When all the advantages are tallied it becomes |
| Every minute a forklift is not in operation, the | | | | clear that a battery handling system is a smart |
| company is losing productivity. Charging batteries | | | | investment for any company that uses |
| while they are still in the vehicle means taking the | | | | battery-operated vehicles. |