Rebel Against Rust

Warehouse equipment costs a lot of money so it's important to keep it looking and working like new. Out of all of the things that could possibly go wrong with your industrial equipment, why let rust be one of them? 

What causes our equipment to rust? 

Before we can come up with a solution to prevent our warehouse equipment from rusting we need to first know how it is created. 

What causes rust?

A.) Nickel, Oxygen, Water

B.) Steel, Heat, Oxygen

C.) Copper, Oxygen, Acid

D.) Iron, Water, Oxygen

Rust is primarily caused when iron is effected by open air oxidation, which occurs when iron, water, and oxygen react with one another (D). If you find that your warehouse or work space holds a high amount of water and humidity don't fret, there are several things you can do within your warehouse to mediate this situation.

1. Use A Dehumidifier: If you are working in an enclosed space and find moisture to be an issue using a dehumidifier can help! This will pull moisture out of the air, helping to prevent your equipment from rusting. 
2. Try Protective Paint: This special paint helps to prevent corrosion of heavy machinery. Sometimes it is even beneficial to layer this paint onto machinery that has already began to rust. Although, it will not correct the issue, it will usually prevent things from rusting further. 
3. Install Rust Preventing Lift Chain: Possibly one of the most important parts of your forklift, the lift chain. It would be detrimental if this were to rust. If rusting lift chain is commonplace in your warehouse try out corrosion/ rust resistant chain! 
4. Keep Your Equipment Clean: There are times when rust and corrosion are inevitable, but keeping your equipment clean will help keep unwanted ware away!

 

Proper Ways To Keep Your Forklift Clean

There are many warehouse working environments that can get pretty messy, mostly depending on what type of product you are manufacturing and moving. So aside from water particulates creating rust, our equipment just gets dirty. But how do you combat this unwanted grime? Here are a few things you can do!       

1.) First and foremost it is important to make sure you are wearing protective gear when cleaning your forklift. Some of the particles coming off of your truck may be harmful. Eye protection is possibly the most important thing considering loose particles may blow around. 

2.) Remove loose dirt from your equipment, like rust and dust particles. You can remove pieces like this by using a brush and dust pan, a paper towel, or a rag. 

3.) Need to get a deeper clean on your forklift? Wiping off loose particles is just the beginning of cleaning your material handling equipment. However, you will not see many people washing their forklifts using water. Washing industrial equipment, especially forklifts, with water can end up doing more damage than good. Water can get stuck in the small cracks and crevices of your forklift and can actually cause rust. When it comes to the use of electric forklifts and equipment, washing with water is out of the question. So what do you do? Clean your forklift using an air compressor power washer. This will remove tough dirt and grime without harming your equipment.

For The Things You Can't Fix

For the things that you can't fix, call Omega Material Handling, Inc 513.842.2012. Want to learn more about what it is we do? Check out our website.

Be Sure Before You Buy

Thinking about purchasing another forklift? If you answered "yes" to this question the next thing you may want to consider is whether or not you are going to be purchasing something new or used. Purchasing  a new forklift definitely has its perks, but not everyone needs something brand new. So if you're going to be buying used what are some of 

the things you should look out for? 

What To Look For First 

There are several things that you should look out for when purchasing a used forklift, here are a few that we found to be most important.

1. First and foremost make sure that the truck you are looking at is in fact the truck that you've been expecting to see and that you want to purchase. Make sure that the forklift's make, model, and serial number match what has been previously presented to you.
2. Doing a physical inspection of the forklift you are looking to purchase is very important, this goes for new and used equipment! Make sure that the outward appearance of the forklift is up to your standards and there is nothing in particular that stands out, like worn tires, busted hoses, or broken chains.
3. Next you will want to ensure that the forklift turns on, runs, and that the mast is in working order. You will also want to make sure that the vehicle's brakes are up to par and that there are no apparent leaks coming from the truck. 

Hour Meter Reading 

Instead of tracking forklift usage by mileage, their usage is tracked by hours. All forklifts have an "Hour Meter Reader." This allows you to have an understanding of how long the truck has been in operation and how often it is used. When purchasing a used truck having the hour meter reading can help you make an informed purchasing decision. It's important to note that not all hour meter readers have an accurate depiction of the hours the forklift has been running. Sometimes the meters quit working and other times trucks have been run for so many hours that the meter readings reset. So it is safe to assume that if you are looking at an older forklift and the meter reading is incredibly low that it has at some point been reset. 

     

Data Plate

All forklifts should have a name or data plate. It's important when purchasing any forklift that you make sure it has the correct lift height, capacity, and fuel type. All of this and much more can be found on the data plate of a forklift. The data plate will also tell you whether or not the forklift has side shift or any attachments and how those attachments effect the capacity of the truck. 

Wrap Up 

Now you've got an idea of what to look for when purchasing a used forklift. If you need any additional information feel free to reach out to us! If you are looking to purchase a used forklift, but aren't sure where to find one, we can help you with that too! You can reach us at (513) 842-2012, or omega.rockett@yahoo.com. 

https://www.tmhnc.com/blog/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-forklift

https://www.rbauction.com/blog/inspection-tips-five-things-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-forkli-1  

https://www.acelifting.com/evaluate-condition-used-forklift/

https://www.fleetmanconsulting.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-the-condition-of-any-used-forklift

The Skinny on Rebuilt Forklift Parts

Are Rebuilt Forklift Parts A Good Option? 

What Are Rebuilt Forklift Parts?

The terms "refurbished" and "rebuilt" are quite common in the world of forklifts. But before purchasing rebuilt forklift parts it is important to fully understand what a rebuilt part is and the benefits & downfalls of using such parts, as opposed to a part that is new.

Words Can Be Confusing

Being English speakers, we all know that there are words with multiple meanings and multiple meanings for a single word. This is no different when entering the world of refurbished parts. Let's go over some of the phrases that might trip you up.

Re-manufactured: When a part is re manufactured it is first taken apart, cleaned, repaired, and then put back together and put to use. Often times the word refurbished and re-manufactured are used interchangeably. With that said, there are some sources stating that re-manufactured parts have gone through a slightly more thorough process than refurbished parts.
Rebuilt: When rebuilding, the broken pieces of the original part will be removed and replaced in order to get the whole part back in working order.
Used: Used parts are just that, they're parts that have been used. Purchasing used parts can be risky, but sometimes the risk is worth the reward. However, if you are going to purchase used parts make sure that the facility you are getting them from has a good reputation, and note that you are taking a bit of a risk.

Which Option Is Best For You?

There is no right or wrong when it comes to which of these options is best for you. However, there are a couple of things to consider. Possibly the most important thing to consider is why you are getting a replacement part and what function you are wanting it to serve. The other major consideration is cost. With both of these things in mind, a little additional research should go a long way!

Contact Us

If you have questions about your material handling equipment give us a call, our staff would be happy to discuss which options are best for you! Omega also offers inspections on material handling equipment in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas! You can reach us at (513) 842-2012.  

Is Forklift Maintenance A Legal Requirement?

We all know that forklift maintenance is a necessity, but is it a legality? While the maintenance of work equipment seems like a mundane task it is of the upmost importance. Maintaining heavy machinery in the work place not only keeps business moving, but also keeps your employees safe. That is why maintenance requirements have been put in place and are adhered to. 

According to the Fork Lift Truck Association, Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) states: 

"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."

Thus insinuating that regular maintenance of work equipment is in fact a legality. 

How To Keep Up With Maintenance 

It is important that regular preventative maintenance checks be performed on your material handling equipment. The frequency of these checks should be determined based on the amount of time (usually in hours) that you are using your equipment. Typically planned maintenance is done on equipment like forklifts every 60-90 days. If you are not sure how to determine how often your work equipment needs to be checked call a professional (Like us (513) 842-2012) and they will be more than willing to help you out! 

What Else Can I Do?

Pre-shift safety inspections are a great way to keep planned maintenance simple. Pre-shift safety inspections require machine operator's to do a quick run through of the equipment before using it. This not only puts some responsibility in the operators hands, but also allows maintenance technicians to know when and where things started going haywire.

Additional Questions? 

If you have additional questions on forklift and material handling maintenance, or need us to perform an inspection give us a call (513) 842-2012!

Be on the Look Out

Be on the Look Out

"Look out sensors help protect your entire facility!"

Did you know that there are roughly 62,000 forklift accidents each year?! About half of those accidents have been reported as causing serious injury to the people involved. Whenever heavy machinery is being used safety is of the upmost importance, and the Look Out sensor can help! 

Tell me more about the Look Out sensor

The Look Out sensor's sole purpose is to prevent accidents in the warehouse, particularly collisions. These sensors are equipped with flashing LED lights, and can even be programmed to include an audible warning system! The thing that really makes the Look Out stand out from the rest is that you can put them nearly anywhere in your warehouse! They are specifically designed to sit in blind corners and turns where near-miss situations often occur. 

Where can I put the Look Out

There are several different Look Out sensor models. Let's check them out! 

Look Out 1&2

These versions of Look Out are designed specifically for blind corners.

• These systems can be hung in any corner and are designed to mount to any rack upright 
• Installing Look Out is simple, just plug it in
• 24-volt plug-in wall transformers can be purchased separately 
• Various cord lengths are available: 15', 25', 50', 75', and 100' 
• Most importantly ALL sensors have remote capabilities 

Lookout 2XL, 3, & 4

These versions of Look Out are used in blind corners and are also used in warehouse intersections.

• Installing Look Out is simple, just plug it in
• 24-volt plug-in wall transformers ~ optional universal transformers are available (110v - 277v)
• Ceiling units can be hung in any corner
• Look Out 3 is designed to mount any rack upright 
• Look Out 3 monitors three-way intersections and even notifies all three directions

If you're in the Greater Cincinnati area and would like us to set you up with "Look Out" sensors give us a call at (513) 842-2012! 

Make The Most Out Of Your Materials

Working in warehouses and with heavy machinery doesn’t scream “Save the Environment!” But did you know that there are multiple ways in which you can make working in your warehouse a little greener?

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Are pallets recyclable?

a.     Yes

b.     No

2.     One way to reduce waste in the warehouse is by using __________ packaging.

a.     Biodegradable

b.     Plastic

c.     Cardboard

3.     Waste from packaging can be reduced greatly by recycling and reusing such materials.

a.     True

b.     False

4.     Which forklift fuel type is better for the environment?

a.     LP

b.     Electric

c.     Either, they have the same overall impact

5.     Both electric and LPG forklifts rely on renewable resources to run properly.

a.     True

b.     False

   

Get This…

LPG and electric forklifts are both incredibly common but utilize two different sources of fuel. LPG forklifts run off a liquid propane, while electric forklifts are battery powered. Both types of forklifts have their advantages and disadvantages. However, the question remains, is one type of forklift more environmentally friendly than the other? For the most part electric forklifts are more environmentally friendly. They eliminate the use of propane fuel (a non-renewable resource), and the disposal of many of the fluids used in LPG trucks. Electric forklifts also eliminate tailpipe emissions. Not only is this elimination of emissions better for the environment, but also for your employees because it reduces the amount of chemicals and smoke they are inhaling. After hearing all of this you may wonder where the debate lies. It’s clear that electric forklifts utilize batteries to run, very large batteries. There is still some discrepancy on how these batteries should be disposed of and/or recycled. Although, overall it has been concluded that electric forklifts have less negative impact on our surrounding environment. 

    

Can You Answer This Question???

What is a carbon footprint?

a.     Measured output units of CO2 and methane for an individual, business, or product.

b.     Measured output units of CO2 for an individual, business, or product.

c.     Measured output units of CO2, water vapor, and methane for an individual, business, or product.

The phrase Carbon Footprint is thrown around quite often, but what exactly is a carbon footprint? If you chose A as your answer then you are correct! CO2 and Methane are the two largest greenhouse gas contributors, making it important for us to monitor the amounts of these gases we are releasing into the environment. This calculation can be made for an individual, a business, or a product. Reducing your carbon footprint even just a little bit can make a huge difference to our environment! Calculate your personal carbon footprint and your company’s carbon footprint here: https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ !

Get The Facts!

Time to talk about pallets! Pallets are often used in warehouses around the world. There are many different shapes, sizes, and materials used to make pallets. Fortunately, many pallets are made from wood, which is a recyclable material. In addition to being able to recycle pallets there are a lot of companies that will pay you for your pallets. If you're opposed to selling or recycling your pallets you can also up-cycle them! Which basically means that you are using pallets to make other things, for example, a planter. To buy, sell, and find free pallets check out this website: https://repalletize.com/content/Cincinnati-free-pallets . For up-cycling ideas look here: https://phsinverter.com/10-ways-recycle-wood-pallets-house/ , https://phsinverter.com/top-uses-for-old-wood-pallets/

   

…So Call

There are thousands of ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at work, whether it be in the office or the warehouse! If you have large items that you need removed and recycled check out these sites: https://www.junk-king.com/services/items-we-take/ , http://www.ecycleenvironmental.com/scrap-recycling/warehouse-recycling

For any other material handling needs give us a call at (513) 842-2012. Thanks for checking out our blog! 

Multiple Choice Answers: 1/A, 2/A, but cardboard is recyclable!, 3/A, 4/B, 5/B 

New Year, New You, New Organization Strategies

A new year brings new beginnings, and fresh starts. So why not get your warehouse where you want it? Below we’ve got some quick tips and tidbits to help you get started!  

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Wire storage containers can safely hold anywhere from ____ to ____ pounds and are great for items that don’t fit in typical pallet racking systems.

a.     1,500 – 4,000

b.     2,000- 4,500

c.     2,500- 5,000

2.     Pallet racking systems can only be used in

a.     Large warehouses

b.     Small warehouses

c.     Both A&B

3.     Can keeping your warehouse organized save you money?

a.     Yes

b.     No

4.     Traffic patterns can influence efficiency.

a.     True

b.     False

Get This…

It can be difficult to know where to start with warehouse organization, so here are some tips to help you out!

Step 1 Evaluate: Evaluate what you have in inventory and what you need for inventory. If there are items that are no longer useful to your business get rid of them!

Step 2 Organize: Now that you know what you have in inventory come up with a strategy to organize it! ~ some examples are by date, weight, and monetary value.

Step 3 Set Standards: Make sure employees are hip to the new organization processes and set standards to maintain its organization.

Step 4 Maintain: Even if everyone is aware of the new organization standards, making sure these standards are maintained is incredibly important. Sometimes it is helpful to delegate this task to a specific person.

Can You Answer This Question???

As a general rule of thumb it should only take _______ to identify the flow of work being done in a warehouse or similar workplace.

A.    60 Seconds

B.    2 minutes

C.    40 seconds

D.    5 minutes

Having a general flow of traffic is important for all businesses, especially those that also utilize fast moving industrial equipment. Arguably the most important time to identify a flow of traffic is if you have never been to the facility before. Identifying this flow should only take about sixty seconds. Many companies and large warehouses make the identification of this flow easy by taping and marking pedestrian walkways and work areas.  

Get The Facts!

Before you can have a functional and efficient warehouse you need to decide on what kind of shelving will work best for your space and business needs. Here are five popular storage options.

1.     Pallet Racking System: This type of shelving system serves as a cheaper option for many people. PRS are designed to hold an entire pallet that can be accessed from several sides if necessary. Another positive of PRS shelving is that you can make the most out of vertical space.

2.     Mezzanine Flooring: I like to relate mezzanine flooring to lofting your bed. You’re basically adding a second level (sometimes a third or fourth) to not only create more space on your entry level floor, but this also adds space in the levels created. Not all Mezzanine floors are used for storage, sometimes they are even used as office space!

3.     Drive in Racking: This type of system works best if you are moving a large amount of the same product. This type of organization typically follows the method of first in last out.

4.     Pallet Flow: This type of shelving utilizes a type of roller/conveyor system, which helps to promote and maintain the “first in first out” method of storage. This system is often used in large, fast-paced warehouses.

5.     Block Stacking: This type of storage can be a cheap alternative to some of the other shelving options available. To achieve this method of storage rows of materials are placed one on top of another. This type of storage does require more open ground space, but stacks can be piled as high as the ceiling safely allows.  

Block Stacking

Mezzanine Flooring

Pallet Flow

               

…So Call

If you’re interested in getting your warehouse organized give us a call! We will come to your facility to determine which kind of shelving is the best fit for you. You can reach us at (513) 842-2012. Thanks for checking out our blog!

ANSWERS: 1/A, 2/C, 3/A, 4/A