Bendi articulated trucks could double your storage space
August 1st 2007

Bendi articulated trucks could More storage capacity in less space too good to be true? Translift Bendi thinks not

Rising property values as well as heating, lighting and maintenance all play their part in the increasing costs of operating a warehouse. Over the years various advances in technology have allowed higher storage densities to be achieved, whilst allowing fast, efficient order picking.

The articulated truck represents the latest and most significant advance in this respect, allowing much higher storage densities than even highly specialised and costly wire- or rail-guided VNA trucks.

As a rule, warehouses designed for counterbalance trucks in conjunction with A.P.R. (adjustable pallet racking) are the least space efficient, with aisle widths of 3m to 4m in common use. However, the aisle width is only part of the equation – turning and loading/unloading space at the ends of the aisles also accounts for 'lost' space. This also applies in warehouses where other types of trucks are operated, although the lost space is much less when using articulated trucks.

A more versatile vehicle means a less compromised warehouse 'Lost' storage space at the end of aisles can be greatly reduced when operating articulated trucks. This is not only because the trucks are more manoeuvrable, but also because there's no requirement for other types of vehicle within the warehouse, to load and unload the warehouse trucks.

Bendi articulated trucks can stack and destack pallets and load or unload them to or from lorries in your yard, saving space, time and further investment in other vehicle types.

The minimum aisle width for articulated trucks is 1600mm Much has been said and written about safe working aisle widths for articulated trucks.

The fact is that different truck designs require different aisle width calculations.

Despite some manufacturers' claims, it is naive to assume that the formula can be based purely on the diagonal dimension of the pallet. Many aspects of truck design have a bearing on minimum aisle width.

Translift Bendi claims its current articulated Trucks represent the most efficient design in this respect, with a minimum recommended aisle width of 1600mm. This is achieved through careful application of the principles developed by the articulated truck pioneer, Freddy Brown.

Understanding the product and industry Guidance Notes brings important benefits to operators and results in efficient, cost effective and safe storage solutions. BITA (British Industrial Truck Association) puts the interests of industrial truck users and their safety first and foremost and their guidelines should always be observed for safe working practice.

No specialist floor requirements The outstanding stability of Bendi articulated trucks allows their use in warehouses with standard floor finishes and flatness required for use with counterbalance trucks – even where racking up to 12m high is used. This eliminates the requirement for costly specialist flooring or grinding of existing floors. There is also no requirement for guidance rails or wires as is usually the case with other space saving systems.

Additionally, Bendi articulated trucks are able to operate in external yards – even where the ground is uneven or broken.

Overall savings in space and time, together with reduced capital costs can create huge savings for operators – for more information, call Translift Bendi on 01527 527411 or visit www.bendi.co.uk.

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