Section IV. Selection of MHE

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.42

machine or computer-controlled vehicle transporting a

(2) Man-to-material. In-aisle order picking or

person to the opening where order picking is performed.

pallet selection accomplished by a storage and retrieval

Section IV. Selection of MHE

4-18. Building Construction.

4-17. General Selection Factors.

a. The construction of the building used for

a. The potential savings in terms of time, funds,

warehousing purposes should be reviewed to determine

and personnel resulting from the selection of the right

the type of handling equipment which can be used. The

type of MHE for an operation cannot be over

construction may limit the amount, weight, and type of

emphasized. The selection of costly MHE should not be

materials which may be stored. These limitations are

made without considering all operational factors

imposed by the size and strength of the structure and by

including the cost and suitability of alternate types of

certain safety and security measures. See chapter 6 for

equipment available.

more information on limitations.

b. When selecting equipment, the size, shape,

b. Equipment suitable for one-level operations

weight, and container strength of the commodities to be

may not be suitable for multilevel operations. Multistory

handled should be considered.

Examples of the

operations generally are less economical than single-

application of MHE are as follows:

story operations; therefore, most warehouses built in

(1) Palletized supplies are handled by forklift

recent years have been single-story structures. Two

trucks, sometimes in conjunction with tractor-trailer or

examples of multistory operational restrictions are

dragline conveyors and warehouse trucks.

explained below.

(2) Small, uniform-sized commodities or

(1) Elevators.

Generally, elevators in

containers are readily adaptable to palletization and

operation were not designed for the use of mechanized

handling as a unit by forklift trucks.

handling equipment. In many instances, the dimensions

(3) Containers such as large bales, crates, or

and the capacity of the elevator available will be

boxes may be efficiently handled and stacked by a

inadequate to take the weight of the unit loads

forklift truck and use of short dunnage or special fork

commonly used plus the weight of the equipment. For

attachment.

example, an electric fork truck capable of transporting a

(4) Large items (i.e., appliances or equipment

load of 3,000 pounds weighs nearly 4 tons; when loading

packed in boxes or crates) with cleats or runners nailed

an elevator with this equipment, this entire weight will be

to the underside of the container are generally adaptable

concentrated on the front edge of the elevator. Unless

to handling by forklift trucks.

designed for this type of stress, even heavy capacity

(5) Cylindrical supplies with a hole through

elevators will be strained.

the center such as coils of wire can be handled by a

(2) Ramps. The width and grade of ramps

forklift truck with a ram attachment.

will be factors limiting the type and size of MHE which

(6) Heavy, bulky, and large irregularly shaped

can be operated in the structures. Even a slight grade

supplies are normally handled by cranes, crane

will require increased power to transport loads.

attachments rigged on forklift trucks, heavy duty forklift

Frequently, equipment capable of pulling or carrying

trucks, or side loading forklift trucks.

heavy loads up inclines will be too large for ordinary use

(7) Small, flat-surfaced packages may be

in other storage operations.

transferred in a continuous flow over gravity or powered

conveyor systems. Chutes and slides quickly deliver

4-19. Types of MHE Power.

smooth-surfaced nonfragile packages, sacks, and bales

to lower levels.

Gasoline, diesel, liquid petroleum gas, or electric power

(8) Lumber, rails, etc., are handled speedily

is used to propel forklift trucks and warehouse tractors.

in large unit loads by heavy duty pneumatic-tired forklift

The following factors help to determine the selection of

trucks, truck straddle carry, or side loading forklift trucks.

the proper power drive: a. Ventilation of operating area.

Closely confined or poorly ventilated spaces such as

NOTE

upper floors of multistory buildings require the use of

electric trucks to avoid the hazard of accumulated

carbon monoxide.

Detailed information on applications

for portable MHE is found in section

II of this chapter.

4-59