Managing Neck and Shoulder Pain Among Forklift Truck Operators

Almost 50 percent of forklift truck operators complain of neck pain at one point or the other as compared to 30 percent of office workers. Forklift operators usually have to extend their necks when loading and unloading on high-level shelves in the warehouse. They also have to rotate their heads repeatedly when reversing, lean to the side to get a better view. The pain is a result of extended unnatural neck positions. Recent studies have confirmed the increased risk of neck pain associated with being a forklift operator and also come up with proposals to mitigate the situation by way of adjusting work tasks, improving work schedules, as well as the design of forklift trucks. Accurate Forklift is a leading forklift dealer company that can help you solve some of the issues we are going to discuss such as by supplying ergonomic parts.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulders can get strained from repetitive motion, steering, and operating the hydraulic controls. To keep shoulder pain at bay:

• Use a seat with an armrest
• Stretch regularly
• Keep elbows in when working
• Maintain handshake position as oppose to palm down operation of controls

Neck and Back Pain

Poor work habits and work environment can lead to neck and back pain. Sitting for extended periods, poor posture, and whole body vibration are some of the chief culprits. Shaking and jolting of the body can result in neck and back pain. What you can do is:

• Employ an air suspension seat
• Reduce your speed
• Avoid traveling on uneven surfaces whenever you can
• Take periodic breaks to stretch
• Use the backrest
• Always make sure that your seat is properly adjusted before starting work
• Avoid assuming a slumping position to reach the controls

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and forearms may be the result of musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive movement and jerking. Employing ergonomic seats go away long way to keep away or reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Last Word

You must also protect your knees by using knee braces and never jumping off the forklift truck. Make sure the forklift truck is serviced regularly to avoid a situation where problems develop that demand operators to exert themselves physically more than they have to when operating the lift truck. Accurate Forklift is your trusted partner when looking to rent a forklift in Atlanta or buy a used forklift in Atlanta. We are a leading dealer company with a huge range of forklift makes and capacities to cater to unique requirements. Call us today at 770 692 1455 to discuss your requirement and get answers to all your questions.

Top Considerations when Buying a Used Forklift

Given the many opportunities available to buy used forklifts that give you real value for money and save at the same time, making the right choice has never been more important. Making the wrong choice can land you with a forklift that is inefficient, prone to frequent breakdowns, involves costly maintenance, or hardly has any parts available on the market. Even after adhering to all common tips such as finding a reputable and registered dealer, there are a lot of other considerations that you have to make. Let’s dig in to learn some of the prominent ones.

Forklift condition

Most of our previous blogs of used forklift buying tips have dwelt on establishing the condition of the forklift. This remains a very important step that has to be executed in a methodical way. We are not going to cover tips on assessing the condition of the forklift but look at other, often overlooked, considerations.

Performance

Your assessment of the engine should start, but not end, with a test drive. It is important to have a good idea about its performance. The first tip is always make sure that the forklift engine starts cold. You must be suspicious if you find the engine already running or hot, as it might betray the existence of issues when you try to start it cold. Ask the agent providing used forklifts for sale to give you a demonstration of the equipment in actual action. Make sure to also test the any attachment that come with the forklift truck.

Parts availability

Whenever you consider buying a forklift for sale, research on the availability of spares and how much their cost compares to those of other models on offer. Avoid buying a forklift whose parts are difficult to find or significantly more expensive compared to other models. This is especially true when opting for old models or less popular brands.

Paperwork

Make sure that all the paperwork relating to the forklift is in order. The forklift ought to be legal and safe to operate. Ask for the safety certificate and be sure that the forklift for sale have gone through servicing at the hands of a qualified and experienced mechanic.

Talk to Accurate Forklift

If you are looking to buy a used forklift in Atlanta that is in tip-top condition and features a warranty and fitness certificate, talk to Accurate Forklift. We offer amazing deals on a range of popular forklift makes and models. Call us today to discuss your requirement at 770-692-1455 or mail to sales@accurateforklift.net.

Important Tips When Buying a Used Forklift for Sale

Do your company operations require a lot of product handling, such as moving wood at construction sites, unloading crates of cargo from a container, or simply retrieving and packing goods in a warehouse. A forklift is a handy machine used in such scenarios on a daily basis to carry out the various tasks with ease. Although renting a forklift seems to be an affordable way out, it often proves to be costlier in the long run when compared to buying your own brand new or used forklift in Atlanta and other jurisdictions. Renting has the down-side of limiting the amount of time you can use the forklift. This eventually increases your cost of operations while lowering operational efficiency, making it prudent to purchase your own forklift. This post discusses the various elements you must consider when buying used forklifts to ensure that you get value for your investment, even if you want to add another forklift to an already existing fleet.

New or Used?

If you are thinking of purchasing a forklift, used forklifts make a great option owing to the many advantages that you stand to gain. This is advantageous in that the initial cost is greatly reduced without necessarily compromising on the quality of product. It is easy to find reputable dealers providing reliable forklifts for sale in places such as Atlanta. Since you would be getting a used forklift, you should be ready to also put in a little repair work or replacement of a few components to get it in tip-top working condition again. Make sure you conduct a thorough inspection of the forklift before purchasing. You may want to get a mechanic to check it for you, just like when you are buying a used car to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth. Ensure that the forklift does not have any major damages to the forks, mast and its rails. You must also check for any leakages and if the tires and the rest of the frame are in good shape. The cabin of the lift truck must be in a condition to protect the operator in case of a dropped load and the windows must not be broken.

Inspection and Other Considerations

When purchasing a forklift, you should consider which truck is suitable for you in respect of the maximum weight it can carry, power type- electric, diesel, LPG, or a dual fuel powered machine. Consider the environment in which you will be using the forklift, whether it is rough terrain or in a warehouse. Remember to consider the total number of hours the forklift has worked rather than its age. For example, you may get a 2010 forklift that has worked for at least 40 hours a week outdoors and a 2005 forklift which has been working for 6 hours a week. Go for a forklift with lesser operational hours as it will serve you efficiently for a longer time. Make sure to ask your supplier for a service record for the forklift truck to verify the machine's working hours.