Operating and maintaining a forklift fleet can be a major drain on a company's resources, both in terms of money and personnel. There are a number of battery handling systems designed to improve efficiency in large forklift fleets, but many managers don't realize there are also tools designed to work with small fleets. If a company has even a handful of forklifts at its site, a battery handling system can be extremely beneficial.

Worker Safety

Countless workers are injured every year handling forklift batteries without the proper tools. The units are heavy and workers can strain muscles or suffer injuries when the cells are dropped. They contain acid that can burn skin, produce explosive hydrogen gas, and even drained batteries can still carry enough of a charge to produce a dangerous electrical shock.

Injuries are a concern any time a worker tries to complete a task without the proper tools. Battery handling systems allow workers to handle equipment safely. The tools allow workers to pull batteries from forklifts, transport them to a storage area, and charge them all while minimizing dangerous contact. The systems not only protect the workers, but they also allow them to feel safe and relaxed while performing their jobs, which can lead to increased productivity.

Faster Operations

Every minute a forklift is not in operation, the company is losing productivity. Charging batteries while they are still in the vehicle means taking the trucks out of service for hours. Swapping for a freshly charged power source allows the forklift to get back in service faster, but slow battery changes can greatly impact how much work the truck gets done in a day. This is a huge factor for small fleets where losing one forklift greatly reduces fleet size.

Battery handling systems make swaps quick and effortless. Discharged cells are extracted from the lift trucks in a short time, and quickly replaced with a fresh unit. The equipment can do the job faster than a worker alone, getting the truck back on the line much sooner.

Lower Expenses

Small companies may shy away from buying battery handling systems because they feel they can't afford the expense. This equipment is an investment in efficient company operation that will pay for itself in a short time.

Reduced worker injury means lower liability, less work time lost to injury, and happier, more productive employees. Faster power cell changes translate into greater productivity and a larger average number of active forklifts in operation at any time. Faster changes also allow batteries to be replaced before they are completely drained, leaving a truck stranded. Operational hours can be extended rather than being dictated by the life of a vehicle charge.

When all the advantages are tallied it becomes clear that a battery handling system is a smart investment for any company that uses battery-operated vehicles.