Smart Alternatives – Impact highlights Cat® stand-in and sit-on warehouse truck developments
Are you open-minded when it comes to replacing your warehouse equipment?
Impact Handling and Cat® Lift Trucks can offer you radically different products with game-changing effects on your profitability.
If you’re looking to replace, for instance, a platform stacker, the obvious approach is to choose another platform stacker. From the constantly innovating Cat® warehouse range, we can certainly find you a similar but superior new model. But would you consider choosing something other than a platform stacker to do the job? In some cases, the gains will be much greater.
Impact is currently highlighting a new generation of Cat stand-in and sit-on stackers and power pallet trucks. Although a little higher-priced than platform alternatives, that difference can soon be recovered through extra profit generated.
First, these trucks allow you to increase the storage capacity – and hence the money-making potential – of your warehouse. Next, they boost your productivity, by moving more pallet loads per hour. Finally, they reduce your lift truck fleet’s total cost of operation in various ways.
A fuller warehouse – and faster-moving loads
Taking the Cat NSR12-20N2(I) stand-in stacker range as an example, compared to platform models, stand-in trucks have a smaller footprint. What’s more, they lift higher – going up to 7 metres, depending on model and mast choice. It means you can make your aisles narrower and your racking taller, to fill more of your valuable warehouse space. Using the optional folding side stabilisers, which add extra residual capacity, you can also stack heavier loads at each level.
One time-saving advantage over platform trucks is obvious: there’s no need to keep stopping to fold and unfold platforms and sidebars. Others result from stand-in truck operators’ increased sense of confidence and empowerment.
The operator is fully enclosed and protected, so there’s no fear of a shoulder, arm or leg banging into a racking column or other hard structure. From the operator’s central standing position, he or she also has a clearer all-round view. In addition, there are automated aids for speed and stability control. As a result, operators feel safe to drive faster. Meanwhile, the high manoeuvrability, advanced technology and precise handling of the trucks makes every task quicker and smoother.
Further productivity gains have been made through ergonomic, high-comfort design which enhances user satisfaction and performance. This is another area in which the designers have extended their long-established world leadership in stand-in lift truck development.
The operator compartment is vibration-free, comfortable, quiet and very easy to enter and exit. These factors, together with ergonomically designed controls, minimise stress, strain and fatigue. Operators feel better, work more productively and are less likely to need sick leave.
Lower total cost of operation (TCO)
While improved storage efficiency and work rates boost income, the new trucks also reduce overall expense. For a given volume of pallet load movement, the stand-in stacker concept requires less labour and fewer trucks. Quite simply, the operators can do the work in a shorter time.
The businesses can additionally save on fleet investment by taking advantage of the stand-in stackers’ multi-role versatility. For example, they are suitable for replacing reach trucks in some situations. Their lifting matches that of many reach models, but they cost less and will work in tighter spaces. As well as stacking and retrieving goods, their uses may extend to order picking and to horizontal transport over both long and short distances.
Cat lift trucks also typically make TCO savings through their durability, low maintenance needs and high energy efficiency. For even lower ongoing costs, and continuous operation without battery changes, the trucks can be specified with lithium-ion technology.
Further choices
Along with the stand-in stackers, Impact offers a new Cat stand-in power pallet range: NPR20-30N2. At first glance, the only obvious difference is that the power pallet trucks have no mast. Most features and benefits are shared. Again, the major sales arguments relate to increased storage efficiency, productivity and cost savings.
Cat stand-in power pallets are designed for fast internal transport of heavy and long loads. This may involve anything from short shuttle runs to large distances. They provide an efficient answer to intense demands, including multi-shift truck use. Their key applications include production areas, warehouses and cross-docks.
For even greater ergonomics and comfort, in the most tiring of jobs, there are Cat sit-on trucks. Cat NSS16-20N2(I) sit-on stackers and NPS20-30N2 sit-on power pallets ease the strain of long and heavy shifts. Like their stand-in equivalents, they also enable fuller use of warehouse space, boost throughput and reduce TCO.
In addition to a comfortable suspension seat, they feature anatomically supportive and positionally adjustable armrests. These place the driver’s hands perfectly for easy reach of the mini steering wheel and fingertip hydraulic controls. Other luxuries include the option of electrically adjustable floor height for a perfect driver fit.
Cat stackers and power pallet trucks provide a great illustration of how this manufacturer’s constant innovation gives more choice and better results. From the comprehensive Cat line-up, , Impact’s expert sales teams will identify the ideal model and specification for your situation. We will then maintain its productivity levels and TCO savings through our first-class national support network.
