News
BATTERY HEALTH
By Dennis Firkins - March 25, 2021
 Under normal circumstances, we recommend charging when a battery reaches 80% depth of discharge (near the “red zone†on most discharge meters or about 1.140-1.60 specific gravity), not before!
 Most new lead acid batteries are designed to provide 1,500 charge “cycles†or more. A normal cycle is 8 hours of usage, 8 hours of charging, and 8 hours of cooling per a 24 hour period. If your application is light to medium duty, or sporadic, charge only when necessary rather than daily. It will spread the cycle life of the battery over a much longer period of time, and ensure you get the maximum number of productive years from your investment.
 Select “weekendâ€, “equalize†or “weekly†charge (depending on your brand of charger) approx. every 5 to 10 cycles to keep the battery performing at peak efficiency. Failure to do so or selecting this option too often will harm the battery and shorten its effective life.
 Give us a call today if you would like more details on your battery! Our friendly staff will gladly assist you.
Forklift won't start after swapping LP bottle?
By Dennis Firkins - February 13, 2020
Did you just change your LP tank after running out of fuel and the lift won’t restart?
Here are some things to check out before placing a call for service!
- Remove the LP connector from the full tank that was just installed. Look at the inside of the brass tank coupling. You should NOT see any O-Rings or Flat-Rings inside the brass coupling.
- The LP tank fitting (where the tank coupling screws on) DOES have a Flat-ring on the outside to keep dust out and an O-Ring back inside that seals against the shiny tip on the tank coupling.
- Occasionally, when you change out an LP tank, the Flat-Ring out of the old tank will pull off and stick inside the LP hose coupling, preventing the coupling from screwing on far enough to open the valve. The engine will not have fuel to start and it will not run.
- If the LP Tank Coupling is screwed onto the LP Tank Fitting properly, there will only be an 1/8†of gap between them. If you are not able to screw them together that close, check again for something in the Tank Coupling. There should not be any rubber Rings in the Tank Coupling.
- Sometimes, you will need to lubricate the shiny tip of the LP Tank Coupling to get it to slide past the O-Ring in the Tank Fitting. Chapstick works well for this.
- If all of this fails to get the forklift started, call us for a service call and we will dispatch one of our qualified technicians to get the lift going for you!
Thank you!
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TRAINING ON YOUR BATTERY
By Western Material Handling Admin - November 25, 2019
Proper Battery Care
CHARGING:
- Under normal circumstances, we recommend charging when a battery reaches 80% depth of discharge (near the “red zone†on most discharge meters or about 1.140-1.60 specific gravity), not before.
- Most new batteries are designed to provide 1,500 charge “cycles†or more. A normal cycle is 8-hours usage, 8-hours charging, and 8-hours cooling per a 24-hour period. If your application is light to medium duty, or sporadic, charge only when necessary rather than daily. It will spread the cycle life of the battery over a much longer period of time, and ensure you get the maximum number of productive years from your investment.
- Select “weekendâ€, “equalize†or “weekly†charge (depending on your brand of charger) approx. every 5 to 10 cycles to keep the battery performing at peak efficiency. Failure to do so or selecting this option too often will harm the battery and shorten its effective life.
- New batteries require water approx. every 10 charges for the first few years. Reconditioned batteries may require water every 5 charges.
- On both new and reconditioned batteries, we recommend you check 2 or 3 pilot cells every 5 charges to see that the water level is just above the red perforated plastic Element Protector after charge (color varies depending on brand).
- If low, add only enough water to cover the Element Protector by approx. ¼â€. The additional space is necessary for expansion while gassing at the end of charge.
CLEANING:
- If a battery ever overflows, take a few minutes to rinse it with water immediately afterwards (baking soda optional) to prevent corrosion on top of and beneath the battery. Use enough water to thoroughly dilute the spilled acid to the extent that it is not harmful to the environment.
- The spilled acid is both highly conductive and corrosive. If not rinsed away, the conductivity can cause the battery to discharge itself, even while it is not in use, and generate addition heat during recharge.
- Over time, acid left on top of the battery will form clumps of conductive white corrosion. If it is allowed to accumulate, it can dramatically shorten the life of the battery and make checking and adding water an unpleasant experience which employees will tend to avoid, as well as cause obvious safety concerns.
- Acid vapors escape during charge, and residue will develop around the vent cap area even under normal circumstances. We recommend that batteries be rinsed every spring and fall (or as needed), to remove the acid residue from the battery.
- Never over fill. It will cause overflow on the next charge. Acid loss shortens run time, generates more heat, and requires shop service to correct.
- Never make a habit of giving short charges during lunch or break time. Each short charge constitutes a “cycle†and over time will significantly affect the performance and life of the battery. It also causes excess heat that will make the battery less efficient than not charging at all. It’s better to let a battery rest and cool during lunch or breaks.
- Never interrupt a charge cycle if it is avoidable. It is recommended that once a charge cycle is initiated, it be allowed complete.
- Never allow a battery to sit discharged for more than a few days to avoid “sulfationâ€. If it becomes necessary to store a battery for any period of time, charge it prior, and once every 3 to 6 months thereafter to avoid damage.
- Never allow a battery to go completely dead (unusable). It will take over 72 hours of continuous charging to bring back to full charge, and may require shop service to restore full charge.
- Never continue to use an overheating battery. If a battery ever radiates excessive heat during use or charging or emits a strong sulfur smell, discontinue use and call for service. You have a battery, charger or lift problem.
- Never allow sparks or flame near a charging battery. Batteries produce explosive hydrogen gas while charging, which could cause an explosion resulting in injury or death.
- Deep discharging will harm the battery and cause all of the forklift’s electrical components to run excessively hot. Significant lift truck damage can result, including complete motor failure, burned armatures and brushes, and burned or stuck contacts, which can quickly render the truck unsafe and unusable.
- Deep discharging can easily increase the recharge time outside your charger’s range to recover, causing the battery to be only partially charged for the next day.
- Most automatic chargers must sense a minimum battery voltage to activate and turn on. If the battery is below the threshold voltage, you will not be able to recharge the battery and may require a service call to manually start the charger.
- If you don’t have a working discharge indicator, we recommend installing at least a simple “passive†discharge indicator.
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Forklift Crash Course
By Western Material Handling - April 29, 2019
  Part two of this series talks more about less common forklifts. These lifts are extremely useful when you have a nonconforming warehouse or situation.Â
Here are some more information on some of those lifts:Â
   Very Narrow Aisle Articulating forklift can work in aisles as narrow as 6'6" and are 4,000 lb capacity and lift heights up to 374". We are the dealer for Flexi electric that has a 3 year warranty on the articulating gear assembly. This type of forklift will go into a trailer and work outside in parking lots. Other manufacturers offer a LP gas version and capacities up to 10,000 lb.
Class 2 Very Narrow Articulating
Electric Walkie Stackers come in capacities up to 4,000 lb. and mast heights of over 200". These lifts will work in a 8 to 9' aisle and are very popular with start up businesses or small operations. Because of the outriggers on the straddle version they can get hung up if operated in rough parking lots and room has to be provided for the outriggers. Some versions come with a reach mechanism so that you do not have to straddle the load.  We handle the Blue Giant line.
Class 3 Electric Walkie Straddle Stacker
Walkie Stackers are almost as expensive as a new forklift and used ones bring a high price because of their popularity.
Class 3 Electric Walkie Stacker Reach
Counter balanced Walkie Stackers can move right up to the load so that you don't have to contend with outriggers. Because there are no outriggers they require a counterweight and are longer so they require a wide aisle to operate in.
Class 3 Electric Walkie Counterbalanced Stacker
Electric Walkie pallet jacks will move a pallet with ease and come in capacities of 3,000 to 8,000 lbs. with special units up to 12,000 lbs. They lift the load around 7-8" and move from a crawl up to a fast walk speed. Some versions have a rider platform or a center compartment for the operator. Only the type pictured will turn around inside of a truck which is what many customers desire. We are the Blue Giant dealer.
Class 3 Electric Walkie Pallet Jack
Rough Terrain Forklift are used on rough terrain or soft surfaces. These are known 
for their wide floatation or tractor type tires. These units come in 2 or 4 wheel drive. They work best in soft lots but require quite a bit of room to turn around and are too large to use in the warehouse. The cost is high compared to a regular pneumatic tire forklift. Capacities from 5,000 to 30,000 lb. We are the Mastercraft dealer.
Class 7 Rough Terrain
A Telehandler is used if the customer needs a lot of lift and forward reach. These units are typically 4-wheel drive, have three way steering which allows them to maneuver in an area tighter than their size would indicate. These units weight from 10,000 to 30,000 lbs. and are normally in 5,000 to 12,000 lb capacities but they can be built up to 30,000 lbs. or more. Lift heights of 19' to 55' are common. Telehandlers are very versatile as you can install dirt buckets and other attachments on the quick change carriage.
Class 7 Telehandler
Truck Mounted forklifts allow a company to take a forklift along on the back of the truck when making a
delivery. Capacities up to 6,000 lbs. and lift heights of up to 15'. Many models have a reach function that allow removing both pallets from one side of the truck. 2 and 3 wheel drive, diesel engine, and hydrostatic operation are the norm. We are the Navigator dealer. The lightest weight unit is the Donkey.
Class 7 Truck-Mounted Forklifts (sod loaders)
Sideloader and 4-way forklifts help move a long load through a narrow door. LP gas, diesel, and electric power. Capacities up to 30,000 lbs. A reach mechanism allows the forks to extend to the load and then retract it to rest on the platform for travel. Some electric versions can travel all 4-directions for versatility.
Class 2 Internal Combustion Sideloader
Class 2 Electric 4 Directional Sideloader
Scissor lifts are very popular, especially used, and come in "slab grade" for interior use and 2 and 4-wheel drive "rough terrain" versions. Most electric slab grades will fit through a 3' x 7' door and will lift from 12' to 26'. Rough terrain models are electric, diesel, gasoline, LP gas, or dual fuel gas and LP. 350 lbs. to 1,000 lb. capacities. We are the dealer for Genie, Skyjack, and Condor.
Scissor Lift
Telescopic or Boom lifts come in heights from 30' to 185' and are electric, diesel, gasoline, LP gas, or dual fuel gas and LP. Capacities are usually around 500 lbs. in the basket. We are the dealer for Genie, Skyjack, and Condor.
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Forklift Crash Course
By Western Material Handling - March 28, 2019
Forklifts have been in existence since the 1920's and the imports, like Toyota have been made since the mid 1950's. The first Toyota was brought into the US in the late 1960's.
Forklifts or Industrial Trucks are designed to lift and carry loads, not to push and pull.
Here are the most common types for forklifts:
Warehouse operations will usually want a cushion tire forklift. A cushion tire forklift will work in a tight warehouse operation because of its compact size. They will get stuck in soft dirt. They have a shorter wheel base and are narrower and shorter than the same size pneumatic tire forklift. Cushion tire forklifts have a press-on tire that can be non-marking (white or gray) or regular black (will leave marks on the floor) and the tires can be smooth or traction tread. The tires need to be replaced when they are worn down to the tops of the numbers on the sides of the tire. Cushion tire forklifts will work in an aisle width of around 12'. They come in a 3,000 to 8,000 lbs. capacity normally but are made up to 30,000 to 50,000 lbs. All fuel types are available. We are the Tailift dealer.
Class 4 Cushion Tire
Outdoor applications will usually need a pneumatic tire type forklift. The actual tire may be air filled, foam filled, or be solid rubber but they all have a pneumatic tire appearance. Pneumatic lifts will work best on softer ground, rough surfaces, or on slick surfaces. They are wider, longer, and have a longer wheel base than a cushion tire forklift which is why they are better on rough or slick surfaces. For the same reasons, they do not work as well inside a warehouse and will require additional aisle width to operate in. Diesel, LP gas, gasoline, dual fuel (LP and Gasoline), and even electric fuel types are available. Capacities range from 2,000 to 90,000 lbs. and higher. We are the Tailift dealer. 
Class 5 Pneumatic Tire
4-wheel Electric sit-down forklifts are more compact than their IC powered counterparts so you can sell a larger capacity electric to work in the same place as an IC powered lift giving you more flexibility in meeting the customer's space requirements. They can work in an aisle width as narrow as 10-12'. Cushion press-on tires are normal. Electrics are quieter than an IC truck, climb steeper ramps, and they leak less since they do not have an IC engine oiling system or a transmission.Â
Class 1 Electric Sit-down 4 Wheel
Three wheel Electric sit-down forklifts are very compact and work in a narrow aisle as they turn in
less than their own length due to their inside tire turning opposite in a tight turn due to their dual drive motors. Capacities from 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. and they will work in an aisle width of just 10'. Normally have cushion press-on tires.
We have the Tailift line.
Class 1 Electric Sit-down 3 Wheel
Pneumatic tires come on Three wheel and Four wheel sit-down electrics as well as internal combustion (IC) powered trucks. Tailift makes pneumatic 4 wheel sit-down electric with 48V-80V AC system and battery. Pneumatic tires are an option on Tailift three wheel sit-down forklifts and most other brands as well. 24v, 36, and 48v battery and systems.
Class 1 Electric Pneumatic
The electric Counter-Balanced Stand-Up is one of the most versatile of all forklifts. This forklift enjoys the tight turning radius of a three wheel electric sit-down with it's dual drive motors and three wheel design and will work in around a 10' aisle. It has adequate ground clearance to allow it to go across a dock plate and into a trailer, and it will go out into a parking lot and traverse moderate height differences. Capacities from 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. and lift heights over 200".
Class 1 Electric Stand Up End Control (Docker)
Narrow Aisle Forklifts
Electric Order Picker forklifts are used to build loads in a warehouse. The operator goes up with the pallet and moves items from the rack to a pallet or platform on his forks. Some applications like a furniture warehouse may have a platform up to 3' x 8' to move furniture and other bulky items. Typical units have a 3,000 lb. capacities and lift heights up to 400". Operators must wear a body harness and tether themselves to the unit in case of a fall. This type of lift works well in narrow aisles but this type of lift is limited as a regular forklift.
Class 2 Electric Order Picker
The electric Narrow Aisle Single and Double Reach stand-up forklifts are designed for smooth concrete floors and because they have outriggers they are shorter and will work in an aisle as small as 9'. The outriggers move the fulcrum (tipping) point forward and eliminate the need for additional counter weight but it also limits where the forklift can travel as they have almost no ground clearance. They cannot go outside unless it is very smooth and cannot go across dock plates.  Capacities of 3,000 to 4,500 lb. and up to 400" lift heights are available.
Class 2 Electric Narrow Aisle Single Reach
The single reach version will reach the carriage out to the end of the out riggers to pick up the load and then the load is retracted to the mast for travel. The double reach version will extend into the middle of the pallet behind the first pallet so the pallets can be double stacked increasing the storage capacity of the warehouse.
Class 2 Electric Narrow Aisle Double Reach
Very Narrow Aisle Forklift
Electric Swing Mast forklifts will work in an aisle width around 4’6â€. They are limited to smooth floors and will not travel over a dock plate and into the back of a trailer and do not work well in parking lots. They do allow the racking to be set very close together to increase the capacity of the warehouse.
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Class 2 Electric Man Down Swing Reach Turret
Electric Man Up Swing Mast forklifts allow the operator to go up with the load to see what is being picked up which comes in handy when you are 30' or so off the ground. These forklifts are expensive and very specialized and are usually guided by a wire buried in the concrete that the lift follows.
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