If you have a warehouse, an industrial facility, or a business that deals with bulk materials, having the right material handling equipment and devices is very important. It not only helps to save time but will also be crucial to improving the efficiency of the operations. If you have many products coming from the production line, these devices can help you evacuate them rapidly to create space for others. In this post, we will take a closer look at the common types of equipment that you should have for your warehouse. 

Racks

Racks are storage devices designed with durable materials, such as metal, and can handle products with a wide range of shapes and sizes. The model of racks you select should be designed in line with the materials or products you will store. Common types of racks that you can select include: 

• Steel racks: This is one of the common types of racks for warehouses, and they are preferred for handling and storing heavy-duty items. 
• Pallet racks: These racks are designed to work with pallets, making them pretty easy to handle, especially with forklifts. 
• Console racks: These racks are ideal when handling a lot of goods. They also work well for large warehouse spaces.

Hand Trucks 

This is a two-wheeled hand-operated trolley that is made with a metallic frame. They are designed to make moving small, lightweight items or materials from one section of a warehouse to another easy. Even when you have more advanced types of material handling devices and equipment, it is still crucial to have some general-purpose hand trucks in your facility.

Pallet Jacks 

A pallet jack, also referred to as a pump, is used to move materials that are stacked on pallets. Like forklifts, these jacks come with twin forks that comfortably slide under a pallet. To raise the pallet and set it on the warehouse stacks or enable transportation, you use a handle with a pumping force to create hydraulic action. Pallet jacks are an excellent pick when you only need to lift the pallets a short distance from the ground and to move them within short distances. If you need more complex stacking or handling heavier equipment, a forklift would be a better choice. 

Mezzanines 

These are elevated floor systems that are mainly installed to provide additional storage space between the production floor and ceiling. They are also used in warehouses. The aim of mezzanines is to make all the materials, especially the heavy ones, for production easily accessible for efficient production. They are also easy to dismantle and move to a new area. 

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

To make material handling more effective, you might want to start using an automated storage and retrieval system. These are large automated structures that work with aisles, programmable logic controllers, racks, and shelves that can easily be accessed using a mechanized shuttle system for faster retrieval and higher efficiency. They also work well when storing and retrieving materials in areas that are not easily accessible using other methods, such as forklifts.

Conveyor Belt Systems 

If you have a lot of materials or products to move from one point to another in a warehouse, another option to consider is the conveyor belt system. They use a network of flexible chains, bearings, and belts run by motor/s to evacuate the material products or under consideration rapidly.  

Forklifts 

A forklift, also referred to as a fork hoist or fork truck, is a type of powered industrial truck for lifting and moving materials over short distances. Because it is motorized, it can rapidly move materials around the warehouse, storage yard, and production line. They use a hydraulic lifting mechanism and are excellent for lifting heavy materials, arranging them in racks, and retrieving them rapidly. 

Hoppers 

If your facility involves handling materials such as grains, you should consider acquiring hoppers for effective handling. These are containers designed to collect, store, and move bulk materials rapidly. They also feature a taper at the bottom to make it easy to discharge the materials you are handling or storing. 

Automated Guided Vehicles

These are mobile robots designed to follow specific wires or markers around the warehouse or storage area. They use magnets and lasers for navigation and actuation. 

Reclaimers 

This is a type of material handling machine designed with a rotating scoop at one end of a conveyor network. As it moves, the scoop picks some materials and pours them on the conveyor belt that carries them to the targeted destination.

These are only a few of the common material handling equipment and devices that you might require. Make sure to review your warehouse operations and types of materials handled there to determine the best types of devices to use. To increase the efficiency of the machines, they should also be maintained in top condition all the time.