christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Top Forklift Dangers and How to Avoid Them – Part Two

Have you provided your employees with top-of-the-line material handling equipment such as our CartCaddyLite? That’s a crucial step in maximizing productivity, but it’s only part of the answer. All workers should be trained to spot safety hazards and how to avoid them.

We recently listed the top three forklift dangers along with corresponding safety tips. In this post we’re concluding with a look at the last two of the top five dangers.

Falls from Forklifts

Not all forklift injuries and fatalities are caused directly by the vehicle. A fall from a forklift can have serious results, ranging from cuts and contusions to broken bones to death.

– Institute a zero-tolerance policy for lifting workers who are standing directly on the fork.

– Always use an approved lifting cage and make sure the platform is securely attached to the fork or carriage.

– Use rails, chains, body belts or other restraining devices for the worker on the platform.

– Always lower the platform before traveling.

Shoddy or Inconsistent Maintenance

Forklifts require maintenance just as any other motorized vehicle does. Accidents due to poor maintenance are doubly tragic because they could have been prevented. In addition, your company could be liable for negligence.

– At a minimum, follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. You may want to have more frequent inspections based on heavy usage.

– Pull a forklift out of operation immediately if any problems are found.

Turn to DJ Products for Safe and Efficient Material Handling Equipment

Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are designed to let a single employee transport loads of up to 10,000 pounds, including irregular shapes and sizes. Visit our website and use the convenient online chat feature to learn more from our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Tips for Planning a Warehouse Relocation

Whether you need a larger space, a more convenient location or a more affordable warehouse, relocating is a major move that requires careful planning. You need to ensure that all of your products, material handling equipment and other supplies are brought to the new place in good condition. Also, take care of practical matters such as adjusting your budget for the move. Keep the following tips in mind for planning your warehouse relocation:

Find the Right Location

This means weighing your options with your business needs and budget in mind. Look for locations that provide you with the space you need at a price that fits comfortably within your budget. Consider whether or not your move will require hiring new management and staff, such as if you go to a different part of the state or to another state entirely.

Keep Track of the Timeline

The amount of time it will take you to relocate depends on different factors, such as how large your business is. Plan out the steps you need to take in order to prepare for it, and keep track of the overall timeline. Work out a schedule that allows you and your staff to get everything ready for the move without having to rush.

Adjust Your Budget

Factor in expenses that you will be dealing with before, during and after the move, such as a recruitment budget for new staff. You might also need to budget for productivity loss as you move from one warehouse to another.

If you need to invest in new material handling equipment after your warehouse relocation, please contact DJ Products. We offer high-quality equipment that can help you run your warehouse as efficiently as possible.

eBay Invests to Speed Deliveries with Logistics Joint Venture

In the highly competitive digital marketplace, expedited shipping is one of the ways a company can set itself apart from the competition. A motorized trailer dolly and other sophisticated equipment are useful for making shipping processes more efficient.

In an effort to boost its cross-border logistics network, eBay has entered into a joint venture with Citic Private Equity Funds Management Co. Ltd. The ultimate goal is to speed delivery service to eBay’s customers around the globe.

The Debut of SpeedPAK

Orange Connect Holding, a unit of Citic, and eBay have agreed to start a company called Orange Connex Ltd. (OCL). In their first order of business, OCL has rolled out SpeedPAK, an eBay shipping program focused on cross-border activity and China-based eCommerce vendors.

Currently, SpeedPAK offers a total transit time of eight to 12 business days across all regions of the U.S. In the second quarter, the company plans to initiate service to a number of other countries. including Australia, United Kingdom and France.

How SpeedPAK Will Benefit eBay

John Lin, eBay’s global vice president of international cross-border trade, praised the partnership with OCL, saying that it will give eBay “end-to-end management of shipping processes” for a superior customer experience. He added that more buyers will be able to purchase high-quality, competitively priced products from China.

eBay is actually the second online retailing giant to take this proactive approach. In September 2017, Alibaba Group Holding announced plans for a $16 billion investment toward creating its own global logistics network.

The Yard Dog Motorized Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Do you want to improve turnaround time in your warehouse terminal? Visit our website and find out how the Electric Yard Dog can improve safety and efficiency in the workplace.

Could the Blockchain Concept Work in the Trucking Industry?

Blockchain may be the “Holy Grail” of the trucking industry. We have enough trucks and drivers to fill demand, but matching up shippers and carriers in the right place at the right time can be tricky, even with a yard truck to position trailers where they need to be at a moment’s notice. Blockchain technology is the other piece of the puzzle necessary to make trucking the efficient industry that it should be.

Blockchain for trucking looks a bit different than Bitcoin, which runs on a public blockchain. Transportation companies use a private blockchain. Both offer a distributed ledger of highly secure data, but the private version requires an invitation.

A co-founder of Transfix, a trucking marketplace, recently laid out how blockchain is used in transportation and what needs to happen for it to be wildly successful:

– Trust: Shippers and carriers must trust the system. This requires an agreed-upon process of vetting and contracts.

– Small business participation: We’ll need to see close to universal adoption by small firms, which make up the vast majority of shippers.

– Standardization: Things will only go smoothly if everyone involved uses the same data type.

The Yard Truck for a Hyper-Efficient Trucking Industry

If your warehouse could have a driver ready to take every piece of freight to the next destination, would you even be ready for it?

While blockchain may revolutionize the data, you need boots-on-the-ground preparedness to make use of the improved warehouse efficiency.

The TrailerCaddy electric yard truck from DJ Products can tow any trailer up to 100,000 pounds with speed, safety, and incredible efficiency. Load trailers up to the dock, move them around the yard, and be prepared for the new wave of blockchain for distribution. Contact us for more info.

Distribution Center Efficiency Tips – How to Drive Down Costs

Today’s most successful warehouse and distribution ventures know the key to maximizing profits and boosting efficiency lies in the right material handling equipment and operational tactics. What are the best supply chain engineers in the business doing to drive down costs?

Tried and True Ways to Boost Warehouse & Production Efficiency Include:

Vendor Compliance Reward Programs
Rewards, not punishments for non-compliance, offer incentive for all involved parties to contribute toward a more efficient supply chain. Developing a team mentality between your business, vendors, and 3PL providers is key. Small efficiency boosts can have a big impact on your bottom line over time, with success boosting profits for all parties. Where should you optimize?

– Reduced handling.

– Clear/specific labeling.

– Standard case quantities.

– Common product ID and tracking, upstream to domestic/offshore vendors.

– Speedier transportation.

– Resultant customer satisfaction ratings.

Shipping Notifications
Still relying on a ‘regular’ shipping/receiving schedule? You’re likely paying in staffing issues and delays. Advanced electronic shipping notifications through purchasing/inventory management functions can help you plan labor more precisely, optimizing fulfillment and transport activities to keep costs contained.

Automatic Data Collection
RF barcode and RFID systems remove the human error element of tracking. Each automated step is one less to manage, with the added advantage of data collection helping you make smart supply chain decisions.

Hands-Free Order Picking
The latest wrist-mounted RF units and voice pick/put-to-light fulfillment technologies accelerate picking.

Picking Waves
Preplanned picking waves with Tier1 WMS tech can boost route efficiency.

Material Handling Equipment
Motorized material handling equipment, such as cart pullers/movers, trailer and heavy equipment tuggers, boost efficiency and protect workers from costly injuries.

Looking for new ways to save? Boost efficiency and manpower with the latest in material handling equipment technology from DJ Products today.

Shell’s Fuel Efficient Concept Semi Truck is Sleek and Aerodynamic

One look at the new high-efficiency concept truck from Shell Rotella, and you’ll understand why they named it Starship. The sleek, sloped tractor-trailer developed in partnership with AirFlow Truck Company looks like it came from a sci-fi movie.

Starship trucks won’t be on the road immediately, but you can still get a jump on improving efficiency and cutting costs for transportation. Our motorized trailer dolly replaces the need for a shunt truck so you can maneuver trailers in and out of dock areas and keep your semi trucks on the road more.

The Shell Rotella AirFlow Starship

The Starship was built by AirFlow, a truck company founded and run a former owner/operator who’s been obsessed with aerodynamic truck design for decades.

A highly custom carbon fiber cab that looks like a cockpit highlights the sleek design of the Starship, but there’s more to it than aerodynamics:

– Cummins X15 diesel engine and Eaton transmission

– Solar panels to power the air conditioning, wipers, etc.

– Hybrid electric axle for uphill power and greater efficiency

– Automatically inflating tires to maintain even greater efficiency

Soon, the Starship concept truck will make a transcontinental trip to demonstrate its fuel ratings. We’ll be interested to see how the Starship stacks up against the Tesla semi truck.

Make Efficiency Gains with a Motorized Trailer Dolly

While distribution enterprises await the Starship, we can all benefit now from using a motorized trailer dolly at shipping docks and truck yards.

The TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractor requires no CDL or hour logging. Dock workers can easily operate it with safety and precision, so your trailers can always be ready to get back on the road.

Contact DJ Products for more info or to request a free demo of our motorized trailer dolly.

Congress and Senate Advance Bill to Boost Truck Weights for Some Sectors

Mississippi legislatures have passed a trucking bill (Senate Bill 2418) that increases the weight limits for hauling farm products and timber on many of the state’s roads. Supporters of the weight increase say it helps independent truckers and trucking companies by allowing them to haul more with fewer trucks.

A motorized trailer dolly from DJ Products is one of the most economical and easy ways trucking companies can maximize manpower and lower the risks of worker injuries.

Weight increase for some commercial trucks

The bill raises weight limits for vehicles with state-issued harvest permits and is scheduled to take effect July 1. Its five percent increase concerns many local officials according to Melinda McGrath, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

McGrath says there is already a five percent tolerance above the weight limit on each axle for trucks with a harvest permit. Senate Bill 2418 raises the tolerance to 10 percent. Critics of the weight increase assert that allowing more weight on each axle significantly increases the weight on a much smaller pavement area, and that is highly destructive to roads and bridges that are already in need of repair.

Lawmakers also approved increased funding for bridge and road repair. The Magnolia State typically spends about $1 billion every year for needed road and bridge work. That money comes from trucking fees, an 18-cent fuel excise tax, and federal funding. Senate Bill 3046 allows borrowing an additional $150 million and moving funds from other budgets to pay for bridges, roads, and infrastructure.

How trucking companies can save money

Equipment like a motorized trailer dolly allow any employee to easily move a semi-trailer; no CDL or Health Card needed. Contact DJ Products to schedule a free demo.

Top Forklift Dangers and How to Avoid Them – Part One

With an estimated 1 million in use in workplaces around the United States, forklifts are an essential part of material handling equipment. These vehicles also carry an inherent risk of injury that calls for special safety measures during operation.

There are 20,000 serious injuries and 100 fatalities associated with forklift use each year. Make sure your employees are aware of the top forklift dangers and how to avoid them.

Forklift Turnovers

Nearly 25 percent of forklift-related fatalities are caused by turnovers. These types of accidents are primarily due to excess or unbalanced loads, but they can also result from traveling with the forks raised too high.

– Ensure that all loads are balanced and secure.

– Use caution on inclines and wet or slippery surfaces.

– Keep forks stationary when traveling.

Striking Pedestrians

Even when forklifts are traveling at slow speeds, pedestrians will almost always be on the losing end of a collision.

– Keep forklift and pedestrian traffic separated as much as possible.

– Restrict forklift use around time clocks, lunchrooms, exits and other areas of high foot traffic.

– Install workstations at a safe distance from aisles and protect them with physical barriers.

– Enforce safe driving guidelines such as stop signs, speed limits and use of horns.

Worker Pinned or Crushed by Forklift

The average forklift weights several thousand pounds. Approximately 16 percent of fatalities occur when a forklift pins or crushes a worker.

– Forklift drivers and passengers must be in a seat with seatbelts engaged.

– Riding on the forks should be absolutely prohibited.

– Drivers should always be on the lookout for hazards.

Protect Employees with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Our best-selling CartCaddyLite and other battery-powered movers include safety features to minimize workplace accidents and repetitive-motion injuries. Contact us for more information.

DHL Executive Touts 1.5 Year Payback on Investment on Electric Tesla Semi Trucks

Is your yard outfitted with enough motorized trailer dollies to manage the upcoming robo-trucking boom? Tesla is so sure that its autonomous semis CEO Elon Musk is already on the record touting the payback on an all-electric Tesla semi is a mere 1.5 years.

True or Tripe?

The payback period, the time it would take to pay off the difference in initial costs compared to a human-driven diesel, is based on energy and lower maintenance cost, according to DHL Supply Chain President of Transportation, Jim Monkmeyer. Given the engine’s simplicity in both complexity and number of parts, maintenance savings are purported to be enormous on the leaner, greener robo-hauler.

Presuming all goes well with the 10 Tesla units in DHL’s pilot testing program, a much larger order is expected from the shipping giant.

Potential Problems

Monkmeyer noted the industry has a few potential problems. The largest? How the shipping grid is provided, supported, and the capacity to create a nationwide network, not just across America, but globally. This is referring to the so-called ‘Megacharger’ network foretold by Tesla, which is expected to mirror the firm’s ‘Supercharger’ network for personal vehicles.

Questioning the Math

Musk’s math assumes the fuel economy and costs will remain static, however predictions of advances in diesel technology purported to boost fuel efficiency could limit the savings advantage touted by Tesla. With recent reports of diesel vehicle producers cheating the system, however, eyebrows are raising. Either way, if Tesla comes out on top with its truck, it’s expected to come down to the quality of the product and its support structure, not diesel efficiency.

Is your efficiency waning? Save time, boost manpower, and prevent injuries with the help of a motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.

Self-Driving Trucks Hit the “Big Slab” Starting in Arizona

DJ Products Supplies Equipment for Shunting Trailers — DJ Products Supplies Equipment for Moving Semi Trailers in Your Yard

Self-driving trucks sound like the things that futuristic movies are made of. However, it might not be long before they’re as commonplace as tractor trailers are on our nation’s highways.

Uber now has self-driving commercial trucks that are moving freight in Arizona through the Uber Freight network. These trucks can be seen traveling along Interstate 40 in both directions. They’re using dry van trailers, although the companies that are using their services have not yet been named.

Are Self-Driving Trucks the Start of a New Industry?

The goal is for long haul self-driving trucks to work with conventional trucks to improve the efficiency of the trucking industry. Experts believe that the use of this technology may save lives and improve the quality of life for our country’s truck drivers.

Currently, these self-driving vehicles will remain on the highway. They’ll still rely on drivers to complete the start and the end of each trip, which keeps humans behind the wheel for the more complex work.

The Role of Motorized Trailer Dollies

Motorized trailer dollies can be very useful in Uber’s new venture. The trailers have to be swapped at some point once the highway travel has been completed. Using manpower to do this can be time-consuming, but it can also be dangerous for the driver. With the right tools, trailers can be moved easily and quickly, getting both vehicles back on the road in no time.

The Future of Automated Trucks

Right now, every Uber self-driving truck has a driver in it at all times. They’re working toward making them completely driverless. There’s no telling what the future holds.

Will you be a part of it? If you are, DJ products can help make it happen. Contact us to learn more!