You may ask at the end of this article: "What does it have to do with material handling or storage systems?"  The answer quite simply is: Not a darn thing!

The guise of psychic phenomena can trigger one's inherent sense of skepticism and stimulate the thought process.  Or it can dubiously entertain.  Try this on yourself or another person.

Here we go:

1) Take your age;

2) Multiply it by 2;

3) Add 5;

4) Multiply by 50;

5) Subtract 365;

6) Add the loose change in your pockets under a dollar;

7) Add 115

=  the first 2 numbers are your age and the last two numbers are your change!

Most of us think of the basic storage or pallet rack system to consist of ONLY two components: uprights and beams.

Over my years of seeing warehouse rack systems, I'm always astonished at the number of corner pallet rack upright columns that are bent and damaged from forklift operators driving too fast for conditions. Engineering-wise, it's the end of a structure that has the least amount of support that becomes the "weak link" for structure failure.

Simple inexpensive column protectors properly located will provide ultimate insurance from destructive product damage as well a potential fatal accident.  Another source for falling product is pallet loads slipping between beams. Besides front to back crossbars, wire decking may provide protection from smaller items.

If you've been delaying buying any equipment until times get better, it might make sense to take a new look at any purchases you've been putting off since it looks like steel prices will increase by 21-35%. This could be a permanent development.

Major players in the steel industry have agreed to end the 40 year benchmark pricing system of annual contracts in favor of a move to quarterly contracts linked to the iron ore spot market.

The Financial Times published March 31, 2010 "the new price system will lift the cost of iron ore to Asian steelmakers to about $110-$120 a tonne during the April-June period, up between 80 - 100% from the $60 level at which the 2009-10 annual contracts were settled. "

On April 1, 2010 Business Week reported that Lakshmi Mittal, chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker stated "The cost of producing steel is going to go up and will be passed on to customers."

Analysts are saying the new pricing system means that iron ore costs are likely to rise even further over the summer as spot prices continue to climb and that steel demand and supply fundamentals were likely to drive further price increases in coming months.  Furthermore that inflationary pressures are building in emerging markets.

Not all teardrop style pallet rack components are compatible or interchangeable.  Unfortunately, there isn’t an authority or institute that doles out specification standards for “teardrop” punched beam to upright connections.

There are three main components to modern roll-formed pallet rack which are beam channel, connector plate and an upright.  The connector plate is configured with either rivets, fingers, tabs or clips that attach to a complimentary designed upright.

Pallet rack designs, specifications and availability may come and go.  Even the same manufacturer has been known to vary these details over a period of time.  Differences in rivet diameter, rivet location, connector plate thickness are critical in compatibility.  Manual safety lock features were mandated by OSHA a few decades ago to protect the forklift operator who accidentally lifts their pallet load into the bottom of the load beam above.  Compatibility of these important mechanisms should be accounted for as well.  Surprisingly an 8 foot beam is not always 96 inches between the uprights.  Some could be 96-1/2” and another may be 96”.  Mixing the two in the same bay may spell problems galore.

The bottom line is undamaged rack is always better than damaged.  It’s always best to replace any damaged components, even with some of the disadvantages that come with mixing varied beams and uprights from different sources.

Try considering replacing entire bay sections rather than one piece. That way you’ll know your connecting components are compatible.  Also you can avoid compatibility issues by simply adding an extra upright next to your existing upright rather than connecting new beams to old uprights or vice versa.

Recently published was an article on Electric Powered Pallet Trucks.  From that article came an inquiry of how they could utilize such equipment with a low underclearance to load/unload from City Delivery and Straight Trucks?  The truck bed heights are sometimes substantially below their 48" high standard dock height.

There are many disadvantages to below dock unloading applications.  Amongst them are inherent safety issues, potential equipment damage and "end-loaded" pallet accessibility.

Obviously the logical solution is to consider raising the truck bed level higher to match or exceed the existing dock height.  This is accomplished with the use of Wheel Risers.  

There are several types of wheel risers manufactured for different applications.  Width per riser is most common with 24" over 18" to help provide a convenience for the driver because of the dual wheels. Steel is more of a standard than the aluminum because of the overall weight versus cost factors.  If portability of the risers is in high regard then ordering them with fork pockets for moving them about with fork lifts is more feasible.

Maximum height differential of truck bed to dock should determine the height of wheel riser units (normally 6" to 12") in two inch increments.  Length ordered is determined by single or tandem axles being used and axle type/placement to the end of the trailer. 

Two very popular models that provide an extra safety and convenience factor is the Wheel Riser - SWR-24-8-84 which has an 8" height and is overall 84" long and the Wheel Riser - SWR-24-10-96 with 10" high x 96" long.  Always confirm if the units are ordered and priced each or pair.  The stated models are ordered 2 each.

Philadelphia Macaroni Company found their wheel risers to be the perfect solution for those uncommon type and sized trucks.

Fully powered electric pallet trucks have been a staple in distribution and warehouse operations for years.

Their niche is to transport product quickly and effortlessly from point A to point B on a horizontal plane.  Fully powered is defined as powered lift and powered forward and reverse in functions.  Some other names for these units include powered walkies, motorized pallet trucks, mobile pallet trucks and forklift pallet trucks.

Variations that are common are "Walkie" versus "Rider" types, lift load capacity and service time operation between recharging of their batteries.  The higher the Ah rating of the battery configuration normally relates to longer service durations.

The two models shown above are atypical units required of a smaller to medium duty distribution warehouse. The first illustrated Pallet Truck - Electric Powered 3,000# capacity uses two 12V batteries and was found to be the perfect fit for Business Interiors of Idaho's requirements.

The second model Pallet Truck - Electric Powered 4,500# capacity uses four 12V batteries for a 180 Ah rating.

For decades Rubbermaid's Model 4520-88 heavy-duty Service Cart Plastic 2 Shelf KD 2436-2 (24x36) has been considered the most durable of any types available.

Being made of quality polymer plastic means it won't dent, chip or bend and it's light weight provides extra maneuverability and quiet operation.  Unit capacity is a formidable 500 lbs while each tray is sized at 24" x 36".  The molded handle assembly includes a convenient cup holder and storage slot for organization while the casters are non-marking on lino floor covered office areas.

It is many of these benefits that has prompted Blueprint Specialties to use these carts as their main material handler.

One of the most common material handling equipment pieces is the standard two shelf service cart.  This item has several defined names that spawns from it's varied functions such as a service cart, utility truck, parts mover, inventory truck, industrial cart, stockpicker, etc.

It is made in many materials, configurations and sizes but the "down and dirty" type is manufactured with steel, shipped "knocked down", has two shelves, casters and a handle.  

The height of most units are 32" high with the two most commonly used sizes for them are listed in the catalog as Service Cart Steel 2 Shelf KD 1630 (16"x30") and Service Cart Steel 2 Shelf KD 2436 (24"x36").

Varied supply, distribution and manufacturing operations have needs to utilize such equipment to move materials.  Woodland Manufacturing is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of sign letters, wooden letters, plastic letters and metal letters.  They have several of these units in operation to help facilitate their efficiency.

Having the best tools for a particular task holds true.  Moving massive oversized products can be rather awkward at best.

An everyday example would be attempting to move a standard two-door storage cabinet.  There are numerous products made that fall into this category.  Boise Fitness Equipment has such a dilemma transporting their quality commercial grade fitness equipment. 

The best solution determined was to utilize a specialty handtruck that over the years has been called many names such as an appliance truck, bulk mover dolly or transporter, heavy duty vending machine two-wheeler. 

There are many variations to this type of equipment but uncomparably one of the best for this niche of handtruck is Wesco's model WRV-66 heavy duty vending machine truck.  It includes safety features within the quality of it's structure such as the retractable wheels to help support the load in transit.

The standard styled "P" handled handtruck and durable plastic decked platform truck go a long way in taking care of basic material handling functions of many types of businesses and facilities.

Recently, Boise State University, expanded their Student Union Building. 

The facility staff at Boise State's SUB have been a client of mine for many years.  After the expansion and remodeling project was completed, we determined that additional basic material handling products would be required.  The features needed were versatility, durability and longevity.

Foresight into the benefits of quality construction of product took us into the category just up from entry level units.  Handtrucks whose structural steel weight is more than that of a cheaper model have reasons it may be better constructed. Those reasons include a larger diameter or thickness of structural tubing, heavier bracing at pressure points, use of stair-climbers, a thicker nose plate and larger diameter wheel axles with bearings. Having steel wheel protectors on this Heavy Duty P-handled Handtruck is a plus as well.

The second piece of equipment chosen was Akro-Mils Platform Truck Plastic Versa/Deck.  Akro-Mils has been the leader in the durable plastics sector of material handling storage for decades and their Versa/Deck platform cart system is renowned for its true versatility and durability.