Manual Handling
Worlifts, we support so you can achieve.
A large range of products to provide solutions to many manual handling problems within rolling stock maintenance depots and workshops.
Hand Pallet Trucks
High Lift Pallet Trucks
Trolley Lifts
Scissor Lift Tables
Hydraulic Hand Stackers
Electric Pallet Trucks
Manual Handling Equipment FAQ's
Lifting equipment is a term used to describe any apparatus and attachments that help to lift loads within the workplace. Such equipment can include cranes, runways, and extenders. And in terms of manual handling equipment, the definition can also be quite broad. Manual lifting equipment is anything used by hand to transport goods back and forth, such as trolleys, pallets, dollies and fork lifts. There are also various accessories that fall under this definition, all of which can be purchased from the same suppliers. These can include restraints, castors, chains, and hooks.
A hand pallet truck is used for many warehouse and industrial tasks. They help to shift loads that cannot be done by hand, and can also turn complicated operations that require many hands on deck into more efficient one person jobs. Pallet trucks can be manual or electric by nature, with different weight capacities depending on the intended use. Aside from this, the pallets themselves can also be used as stabilising boards or surfaces in a pinch, if the warehouse in question needs more capacity for a short period of time.
Pallet trucks can lift a wide range of items around an industrial environment, but within a typical warehouse environment, they have a max height range of approximately 800 mm. However, these heights are entirely dependent on the type of pallet truck you’re using, and whether you’ve purchased a high lift or low profile version. Both have their unique uses, but for those businesses looking for a wider range of storage capacity in a small space, a high lift is usually best. Always consider your own workplace needs before investing in a pallet truck.
Lifting trolleys are common in a warehouse setting, thanks to their ergonomic design. They’re used to lift large and heavy objects from the floor of the warehouse to the desired height, usually as part of an assembly process. Workers are able to use a jack to pump the lift up by foot, which is far more efficient. These trolleys can be both manually operated with hydraulic pressure to aid the lifting process, and depending on the model, the lifts can move weights of anywhere between 150kg and 5000kg. Buy with this capacity in mind.
Scissor lift tables are a variation of the trolley lift which can be moved to whatever height the user desires. They’re so named thanks to their intercrossing lift system, and they’re a common sight across various industrial sectors. Most models are manually operated but they can also be electrically operated, and for larger scissor lifts, they can be extended up to 3 metres in height. Smaller models tend to max out at 1 metre, with medium models falling in between. The lifts can hold items weighing anywhere between 500kg and 5000kg max.
As one of the most useful manual handling equipment items on the market, scissor lifts are usually the first thing a business will invest in when putting together a warehouse system. To make sure you’re buying the right lift for your needs, you’ll need to take into account how much you need to lift, how far you’ll need to lift it, and what material you need the lift table to be made out of. Some platforms are more durable than others, and those working with heavy loads should also consider safety factors too.
For any business dealing with smaller weight loads, such as those that max out at 1000kg, hand stackers are a great option. The hydraulic option allows for more precise placing at higher levels than simply moving loads by hand, and users will not have to make use of a jack during the operation. Instead, hand stackers are made to make use of a chain system and table. Most hand stackers can take weights of between 80 and 500kg, but some models can take up to 1000kg in capacity.
Stackers and forklifts are very similar, and it’s easy to see a need for one instead of the other. While forklifts are able to lift large, heavy loads, they’re good for more industrial environments. They can travel longer distances and are used for purely transport needs. A stacker, on the other hand, is used to make ‘stacks’ of products up to a great height, and can be used in smaller environments as a transportation tool as well. Both machines are great for warehouses, but ensure you know of your stocking needs before investing.
An electric pallet truck is a form of forklift, and must be approached in the same way. The jack itself should be lowered before starting, should not be operated from the front, and needs to be charged at the end of every day. Following these safety rules will keep accidents from occuring during use of the truck, which can easily happen around industrial machinery in a working environment. Similarly, the person using the truck needs to be strong enough to control the loads as they’re being loaded and moved, as electric pallet trucks can lift up to 3 tonne.