No two storage and handling problems are ever quite the same but occasionally there emerges an obvious solution that meets the specific requirement head on cost-effectively. Such a solution solved a problem for Wimborne-based BIS Valves, one of the UK leaders in bespoke industrial valve design and manufacture.
Anyone responsible for the handling of long, heavy lengths of raw metal tube or bar in quantity will instantly sympathise with the dilemma faced by BIS's Matthew Smith. How to manoeuvre batches of steel tube sometimes three metres or more in length off a vehicle, through plant to a designated storage or production area without the provision of a space-wasting pathway - within the requirements of current safety handling legislation?
Time to Move On
The BCT material is essential to the precision machining work undertaken by the company for petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food processing and water supply industries throughout the world. The current outdated and non-conforming system based on the use of a conventional forklift had to be replaced - but how?
Enter local handling specialists Albion Forklifts who, after a site inspection, recommended a 4-way directional SBM Stacker from the Stanley Handling ROBUR range of safety handling equipment. The model has all the features of the ROBUR SB family of stackers - powered lift and drive, electronic speed control, electromagnetic braking and excellent manoeuvrability, plus the key added capability of moving 'crab-fashion' in any of four directions.
Operating aisle requirements are no more than those normally required for handling and stacking. Significant space is saved, the handling process is safer, and there is no need for the provision of a turning radius. Critical to the choice was the powerful drive motor that made light work of coping with a 5.5% gradient within the working area.
Cost-effective Acquisition
As part of the extensive portfolio of ROBUR warehouse handling equipment, the four-way stacker is a standard so the acquisition cost was realistic. BIS chose a model with a 2500mm lift height and a capacity of 1600kg (the range offers capacities up to 2000kg and lift heights to 4500mm for other applications). Other features include heavy-duty 24V electrics, an electric horn, an operator's safety button and a top speed limiter.
"Coping with the arrival of several pallet loads a day using our old system was not only difficult' says BIS's Matthew Smith 'but it didn't comply with modern handling legislation. Adopting the new system featuring manoeuvring in any direction with the truck operator in full control not only allows us to handle legally but saves us space and time whilst reducing the possibility of handling damage to what can be highly expensive materials."
Training
As is the case with all ROBUR products operator training was included in the package from Stanley Handling. Training and routine servicing are essential elements in meeting relevant Health and Safety manual handling requirements.
For more information, please contact :
Mark Stanley at mark@stanleyhandling.co.uk or tel 01582 767711 fax 01582 765994