What are Material-handling Equipment?

Your little helper when it comes to the movement of goods efficiently from one location to another.

Commonly found in warehouses, workshops and plants, sometimes even spotted outdoors and in open areas.

How can I boost business productivity with MHE?

It's simple. It all boils down to what your business really needs.
There are different types of equipment catered to a variety of applications and specific situations, maximizing efficiency all around.

To help narrow down your search, here are the various categories of forklifts:

Order Pickers
Commonly known as stock pickers or man-up forklifts. Drivers will stand on the elevating platform along with the forks, so they will be able to rise with the forklift to select a load. Suitable for use in tight, narrow spaces.

Pallet Trucks
Pallet Trucks, or more commonly known as Pallet Jack Pump Trucks, are designed and built to lift and move pallets.

Reach Trucks
Also known as narrow-sales forklifts, they are designed to shift goods in narrow aisles & compact warehouses, racking pallets on smooth surfaces.

Tow Tractors
Mainly for towing or pulling purposes, with a driver in its seat. It is commonly used in warehouses and airports, transporting multiple trailers with goods from one location to another.

‘Very Narrow Aisle’ (VNA)
VNAs, short for 'Very Narrow Aisle' trucks, are usually used in high-density warehouses with aisles of high ceiling clearance. Providing you with an option to incorporate more racking into your warehouse, maximizing your space to store more inventory.

What do I look out for when buying a forklift?

The most important thing to take note when purchasing any forklift is the durability and reliability of the equipment. Here are some pointers to look out for:

Test drive
Similar to buying a car, the best way to experience it is to go for a test drive. Only through it will you be able to get a sense of what it feels like to operate a forklift.

Credibility
Always purchase from a reputable dealer for a peace of mind. Unlike cars, it can be troublesome when it comes to the maintenance of your equipment as workshops are not as readily available as compared to servicing cars.

Warranty
It is mandatory to have a warranty on the product to ensure that it is running efficiently, saving on a large amount of money on repairs over time.

Frequency of forklift usage
It is important to know how often you require a forklift. If you only require it for a certain period, then you might want to consider renting a forklift instead for that short duration. That way, you'll only be spending what's necessary.

Safety of the forklift
Safety should be your number one priority. Be sure to inspect the seatbelt, horn, lights and tyres before buying or leasing.

Availability
Depending on how urgent you need the forklift, you may consider buying a used forklift or renting one for immediate stock availability.

Should I buy new or old forklifts?

The latest model of a forklift will definitely be better equipped in terms of its specifications and fuel efficiency than its previous models, which will be useful in the long run. The difference between a new and an old forklift is that the new forklift is better equipped in terms of its specification and fuel efficiency. However, purchasing a newer model of forklift will cost more than the older models.

When it comes to a used forklift, it is best to purchase from an authorised dealer. This way, you'll be sure of its capabilities and that it is fully functional.

Although it is relatively cheaper, depending on the age of the equipment, maintenance & service costs will be higher when compared to brand-new forklifts.

It boils down to what is most suitable for your situation. The choice is yours.

Do I need a license to drive a forklift?

No, you do not need a license to operate a forklift. However, we recommend that you attend a forklift operator training program to the recommended safety operation procedures in Accordance with Japan Industrial Safety Standard.

What can I learn in a forklift operator training program?

The Forklift Operator Training Program outline is divided into 2 sections:

Theory
1) Introduction and Definition.
2) Photos and Video on actual Forklift accidents.
3) Statistics on various type of accidents.
4) Occupational Safety & Health Academy Malaysia (OSHA ).
5) Calculation of Loads.
6) Operation safety precautions on Right Turning Aisle and Gradeability of Forklift.
7) Recommended Safety Operations procedures in Accordance with Japan Industrial Standard.
8) Test Examination on the session.

Practical
1) Basic Inspection and Checklist.
2) Recommended operator’s safety operation procedures in accordance with Japan Industrial Standard.
3) Practical operator actual operation of Forklift with Assessment.
4) Assessment and Recommendation by Trainer to Person in charge.

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Training Certificate from the training provider. For more information and to apply online, please visit the link below:

https://www.goldbell.my/resources/forklift-operators-safety-training-course

What if I require a forklift for short-term usage?

For businesses who require a forklift for short-term usage, you can consider leasing instead of buying.

We offer cost-effective leasing options that allow you to rent forklifts for a day or even up to five years.

What type of fuel is best for forklifts?

Every forklift has a specific type of power source it uses to run. Each power source has its own advantages and disadvantages. The type of power source will depend on your specific application. Please refer to the table below for more information.