Equipment for Warehousing and Logistics
Quick summary
- Who for: warehouses and distribution centres, transport and logistics companies, container and material yards.
- Equipment: forklifts for handling, scissor lifts for indoor access, telehandlers and loaders for yards.
- Three numbers decide a forklift: load weight, load centre and lift height.
- Availability, transport and operating costs are set after reviewing the project site and rental period.
This equipment is supplied to projects across the Kingdom, subject to equipment availability, the project location, and transport and operating requirements.
When you need this
- Loading and unloading trucks and containers.
- Stacking on high racking and moving stock inside the warehouse.
- Maintaining lighting, roofs and fire systems inside warehouses.
- Covering a seasonal peak or a temporary rise in volume.
- Handling bulk material and pallets in outdoor yards.
Suitable equipment
| Category | Sizes | Its role in this work | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forklifts | 1.5-30 ton | moving goods and picking orders inside warehouses | In detail |
| Scissor Lifts | 6-22 m | maintaining high racking, lighting and fire systems inside warehouses | In detail |
| Telehandler | 3-4 ton | handling in the loading areas attached to warehouses | In detail |
| Bobcat / Skid Steer | 1-1.5 ton | clearing and material handling around warehouses | In detail |
| Wheel Loaders | 5-15 ton | handling bulk material in yards and loading areas | — |
| Boom Truck | 5-10 ton | loading and unloading heavy consignments without a dock | — |
How to choose the machine
- Load weight and centre: a forklift's rated capacity falls as the load centre moves out.
- Lift height, and the clear height under the lowest obstruction indoors.
- Aisle width and the available turning space.
- Indoor work favours electric machines because of exhaust; outdoors diesel is fine.
- Floor type and loading limit, and whether the need is seasonal or continuous.
Safety and execution on site
General planning practice; your site's and facility's own requirements come first.
- Never exceed the rated capacity at the actual load centre.
- Separate pedestrian and machine traffic inside the warehouse where possible.
- Check the load and pallets are stable before lifting, and travel with forks lowered.
- The machine is operated by a qualified operator to the site's requirements.
What to send for a quote
- The maximum load weight and pallet size or load centre.
- The lift height needed and the clear height indoors.
- Indoor or outdoor work, and the aisle width.
- The period, number of machines and expected operating hours.
Related pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric or diesel forklift for a warehouse?
Inside a closed warehouse, electric is favoured because of exhaust and noise; for outdoor yards and heavier loads, diesel usually suits.
Can a forklift be hired just for the peak period?
Yes, hire can run for weeks or months to cover the peak, subject to availability in that period.
What decides the forklift size?
The maximum load, the load centre and the lift height. Send those three numbers and the right size is recommended.
Is a scissor lift right for warehouse ceiling work?
Yes, on a level, paved floor with the height in range. A scissor lift only rises vertically, so if the target is behind an obstruction a man lift may be needed.