An outdoor project comes with its own set of challenges.
Indoor facilities have the benefit of protecting employees, stock and equipment from the elements. They often are heated, have good light and excellent storage.
When you have a yard or primarily work outside there are a number of concerns. These include: what equipment can best deal with varying temperatures and what equipment can help keep employees safe? Outdoor projects and exposed facilities require hardy and reliable equipment.
Hitec Lift Trucks have put together a list of the equipment we believe is best suited to exterior work. We hope you find this information useful. If you’d like to find out more, why not get in touch with our expert team? You can call on 01933 228127 or email at info@askhitec.co.uk
Cleaning
Keeping an outdoor facility clean or preparing it for use can be a difficult task. Often it can take time, especially if left to an employee and a broom. This can be arduous and even dangerous if it means dealing with snow and other hazards. Thankfully, there’s a number of useful options available.
If you don’t have the budget for brand new equipment, but already have a capable forklift, there’s also a number of additional add-ons which could help keep your outdoor facility safe and tidy.
Ride On Sweepers
Ride on sweepers offer excellent manoeuvrability along with powerful cleaning capability. Some models are capable of having cabs installed for extra operator comfort. This enables these machines to be used both indoor and out.
With front mounted sweepers, these machines can be customised to better suit their application. Options include an additional sweeper (if a single sweeper model is originally chosen) overhead guards, road legal lighting kits and in cab heating.
Thanks to a simple and easily accessible design, sweepers are easy to maintain and have low maintenance costs. With only short training sessions required, these sweepers are an easy to integrate sweeping solution.
Outdoor Cleaners
If you need a piece of equipment that’s multi-functional, then outdoor cleaners may be more suited to your needs. Each model features a fully enclosed cabin for operator comfort and safety. Because of their size, these cleaners are better suited to larger areas and can often be seen on town and city streets.
Perfect for winter and grounds maintenance, outdoor cleaners can be equipped with additional add-ons. This allows for maximum flexibility, and options include: ploughs, lawnmowers and other cleaning attachments.
Most models of outdoor cleaner feature all-wheel drive, and, despite their large size, they’re operator friendly and allow for impressive manoeuvrability.
Hardy, reliable and with easy access for daily maintenance and care, outdoor cleaners are a genuine investment. They’re not the cheapest of machines, but if they’re being used daily and their interchangeable tools are utilised, one of these machines could be a brilliant addition to your business.
Forklifts
Forklifts are perfect for all your lifting and moving needs. Whilst many may consider forklifts a warehouse mainstay, there are many models suited to outdoor use.
If your business requires frequent loading and unloading of lorries, movement of goods in an outdoor storage area or to move massive loads, there’s a forklift that can handle the workload. With a broad variety of capacities and models available, no application is too challenging.
All forklifts require operators to undergo training for certification before they can be used.
LPG Counterbalance
If you’re in need of a machine that you need to use both indoor and outdoor, an LPG counterbalance forklift could be the equipment for you. A familiar sight in warehouses up and down the country, LPG (liquid propane gas) counterbalance forklifts are known for their competitive pricing and their ability to be used around the clock.
Whilst more expensive than alternative counterparts when it comes to fuel consumption, the nature of LPG allows for indoor to outdoor use, a feat unmatched by electric or diesel powered forklifts.
Although small, they have the power behind them to operate well in the hands of skilled drivers. Available in a variety of models, from 1 tonne through to 9 tonne, the inner workings of LPG forklifts are similar to that of a car engine – this results in lower maintenance costs.
Diesel Counterbalance
The heavy hitters of the counterbalance forklift world, diesel forklifts are outdoor champions. Able to perform in all weathers, these forklifts are capable of 24/7 use with minimum downtime for refuelling. A hardy solution, diesel counterbalances may have high initial costs, but their fuel prices are less than those of LPGs, making them a cost effective investment.
Whilst LPG forklifts struggle with unstable ground and gradients, diesel forklifts are unaffected and can traverse difficult terrain with ease thanks to their tremendous power.
Diesel forklifts are large machines and they require additional space for storage and unfortunately don’t operate well in small spaces so are better suited to medium to large outdoor facilities. The noise and fumes they emit make them unsuitable for indoor use so they’re generally used as an outdoor solution.
If you primarily operate out of a yard or require constant activity in an outdoor space, these could be the forklifts for you.
High Capacity
If you require equipment that can withstand the most demanding of applications and extreme operating conditions, high capacity forklifts could be the answer. The epitome of flexible working, these forklifts can operate with a variety of attachments; these can be switched quickly and efficiently for maximum usage.
Dependent and designed, developed and tested to provide outstanding performance, high capacity forklifts are regularly found in operation in cargo handling, lumber, steel, concrete and other industries. Perfect for outdoor use and all weather application, these forklifts can provide 24/7 operation so that your business never has to stop.
With lifting capacities ranging from 5 – 50 tonne, these machines have the power you need for any job. Not only have these been designed with strength in mind, but also for optimal visibility and also for easy maintenance access.
Scissor Lifts
Scissor Lifts are handy pieces of equipment. Need to frequently manage trees, change bulbs or clean at height? With some models able to reach heights of 62 feet, hard to reach areas are a thing of the past.
Scissor lifts can typically be used both indoor and outdoor and can either be electric or engine powered. There are benefits to both of these options. Electric scissor lifts are quiet and have the added bonus of being more eco-friendly as they produce zero emissions. Engine powered scissor lifts on the other hand can provide a higher load capabilities.
Despite the impressive heights that they can reach, scissor lifts are compact pieces of equipment and take up minimal storage space. Unfortunately, they aren’t suitable for all weather types as some models can struggle with high winds and rain.
To use a scissor lift, operators must undergo IPAF training.
Telehandlers
Telehandlers are perfect for the construction and agricultural industries. Another flexible piece of machinery on this list, telehandlers can have their forks swapped out for a variety of attachments. This makes them a fantastic piece of equipment for businesses who require them for more than one application.
Built to handle rough terrain and harsh weather, telehandlers are hardy and reliable pieces of equipment. With some models able to lift up to heights of 20m, telehandlers can provide the additional movement that traditional forklifts can’t. Able to carry goods up and over, telehandlers are fantastic for shifting goods from ground to roof and over or under hurdles.
Although their impressive power could lead some to believe that telehandlers are all massive in size, there are some more compact models available. This can make them perfect for accessing sites with awkward or smaller entrances.
Boom Lifts
Another piece of access equipment, boom lifts are highly recognisable. Used to safely allow operators to access awkward areas, boom lifts extend out and up. They can be driven at height for maximum accessibility.
Mobile boom lifts, commonly known as ‘cherry pickers’, are small but powerful. Tracked boom lifts (spider lifts) are capable of operating on uneven ground. Most models of boom lift are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They’re also usually compact enough that they can fit through a standard door.
Some boom lifts also have the benefit of caterpillar tracks. This allows them to better traverse difficult ground, as well as spreading the weight of the equipment. With lifting heights between 11m and 50m, boom lifts can reach the awkward places that traditional lifts can’t.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our blog, we hope that you’ve found it useful. If you’re interested in purchasing or hiring any of the equipment mentioned, require training or you’re still unsure about what would best suit your outdoor facility or project, why not get in touch? Our expert team will be more than happy to help. You can call us on 01933 228127 or email us at info@askhitec.co.uk
