How Truck-Mounted Forklifts Unpack Efficiency in Lumber Deliveries
Imagine this: You’re on a busy construction site, and a lumber delivery truck rolls in. You not only see the lumber but also a forklift attached to the rear of the truck. This isn’t just any forklift; it’s a truck-mounted forklift (TMF), a piece of equipment that’s completely changing the game when it comes to lumber deliveries.
Delivering lumber often presents significant logistical challenges. The bulk and weight of lumber requires special handling/ vehicles. Factors like weather conditions and navigating unique and challenging job sites only add to the complexity. Here, the TMF comes into play, enhancing efficiency, improving safety, and offering unparalleled flexibility.
The PALFINGER FHS 55 4W and FHS 55 4WP TMF models are particularly suited for these challenges. Think of this product like the AWD of the delivery sector. With agile 4-way directional capabilities, these units can maneuver sideways, effortlessly accessing even the most constrained spaces typical at construction sites. These models can easily be adjusted to navigate around obstacles to deliver materials precisely where needed. The FHS 55 4WP model even includes a unique Reach System, allowing the operator to offload the entire load from one side of the truck. This enables the operator to complete more deliveries as they are no longer required to move their vehicle multiple times due to parking constraints.
To give you a better sense of how these innovations impact real-world operations, here are the experiences of two companies in the lumber delivery industry that have integrated the PALFINGER truck-mounted forklifts into their operations.
Will Lummus, President and CEO, highlights the benefits for both their operators and customers, “They’re able to get the lift on and off the truck without having to be inside the PALFINGER (forklift). Obviously, that’s going to save some time, because they’re able to do it from the ground. They’re not getting up and down off the lift, mount it and unmount it. The sidewinder comes into big play, especially with the type of jobs that we go into in Atlanta where the houses are very narrow. So having the sidewinder obviously helps with our times, and helps get our loads in and helps us service the customer better."
Operator Zack Santiago relies on his PALFINGER TMF for his deliveries and praises the FHS 55 4WP for its reliability, comfort, and power. This gives him the flexibility to deliver any load under any condition safely and efficiently. “We put the machine to the test all the time. It is very heavy duty, very industrial. It makes you feel comfortable even with the load on there, you feel secure. And it’s so powerful. It moves, it accelerates way better than the other machine that we had. And it’s more comfortable for people my size.”
