Material Handling

Bicycles and scooters move people, packages and materials. Adult-sized bikes and tricycles with baskets can be used for commercial and retail deliveries. Industrial scooters are motorized to get around large facilities. Accessories and replacement parts, such as tires, wheels, and seats keep bikes and scooters operational.

Cargo control products keep freight secure for moving, towing and hauling. They help prevent loss and potential injury during transport. Cargo tie downs and bungee cords hold loads down and keep trunks or cargo doors closed. Cargo bars and hoops, load binders, tie down winches, and winch bars secure cargo in pickup truck beds and trailers. Tie hooks organize and cinch hoses, cords and pipe. Truck and trailer anchors provide secure and easily accessible anchor points for tie downs or rope. Cargo control accessories include carabiners, hooks, buckles, corner protectors, and other items that make cargo transport safer and more effective.

Casters and wheels are used on equipment such as furniture, machinery, or carts to allow the equipment to roll when it needs to be moved or repositioned. They reduce the effort it takes to move the equipment. Casters each have a wheel that is mounted on an axle and connected to a plate, stem, or other mounting assembly that attaches to the equipment. Wheels have a hole in the center and mount onto the axles or spindles of casters, wheelbarrows, and other material-handling equipment.

Conveyors move loads along a path and reduce the effort it takes to move them from one place to another in industrial applications. Skate wheel conveyors require minimal force or slope for moving light loads and maintain the orientation of loads as they travel around the conveyors’ curves. Roller conveyors can move light to heavy loads and support loads with rimmed or uneven bottoms. Ball transfer conveyors let loads move in all directions on the conveyor. They are often installed at points along a conveyor line where loads need to change direction, move to an adjacent conveyor, or be rotated or positioned during conveying. Belt conveyors keep the position of conveyed items stable as they move, are less likely to jostle or bump fragile items than other types of conveyors, and can support irregularly shaped items. Conveyor support stands, conveyor hardware, conveyor brushes, and conveyor guides are used to install conveyors, support conveyors, and direct material flow on conveyors.

Loading dock equipment makes semi-trailer loading and unloading easier and more efficient. Dock plates and dock levelers bridge uneven trailer and dock heights to avoid accidents and get work done. Weather- and abrasion-resistant dock bumpers can prevent impact damage to loading docks, buildings and trucks. Industrial strength guard rails, post sleeves, and corner guards can also protect workers and equipment from dangerous situations. Modular cranes come in sections for building custom monorail cranes.

Drums and drum handling equipment provide means to store, move, maintain, monitor, and accesses liquid materials. Barrels and drums store and transfer oils, fuels, chemicals and other hazardous solutions, while covers assure that contents stay inside the container. Drum dollies, drum lifters, and drum rollers allow easy movement from place to place, even when full. Drum heaters keep contents from freezing, or thaw contents when frozen. Drum racks and safety enclosures provide safe areas for storage. Drum wrenches, drum deheaders, pumps and bung sockets give access to drum contents and allow emptying or filling. Drum gauges and liquid level indicators allow users to monitor the exact volume in each drum.

Hoisting equipment uses a system of pulleys and chains or rope to lift and transport heavy loads. Electric hoists use an electrical motor to lift heavy loads with the push of a button. Air chain hoists are powered by compressed air for applications where electricity is either unavailable or not suitable for the task. Manual hoists allow a single person to lift loads with no need for motors or a power supply of any kind. Radio remote controls and accessories enhance and maintain hoist functioning.

Lifting equipment raises and positions freight for access, loading, and storage. Lifting tables, pallet positioners, and level loaders position freight at an ergonomic height for packing or assembly jobs. Material lifts move heavy loads on the loading dock, in the warehouse, and at the jobsite. Pallet lifters and tilters maneuver crates, pallets and boxes into a working position. Cylinder lift trucks move cylinders into place on a welder.

Industrial magnets and suction cup lifters are used manually, or with cranes, winches, and other heavy lifting machines for lifting and moving metal and glass objects. Lifting magnets keep a hold on heavy metallic equipment and machinery. Suction cup lifters generally have a lower load capacity, and attach to items with smooth, nonporous surfaces, such as glass, metal, plastic sheets, and polished stone. Magnetic sheet separators are used with stacks of sheet stock. They use magnetic repelling forces to separate individual sheets from one another for easier handling.

Antivibration mounts and other vibration-control products reduce the level of noise and vibration frequency caused by everyday machinery. Cylindrical vibration isolators are compression mounted to reduce vibration and shock on buildings and protect equipment from damage. Vibration pads reduce the need to bolt machines to the floor. Hanger mount vibration isolators feature large deflections and rubber cups to prevent sound transmission. Floor mount vibration isolators are installed under machines and equipment to reduce vibration transmissions and improve performance.

Pallet trucks and pallet moving equipment have a flat surface and some sort of lifting mechanism. They are used to lift and move stacked or heavily loaded pallets throughout a facility. Pallet jacks, also known as pallet trucks, feature long forks to support pallets from underneath, and have wheels, handles, and hydraulic or electric lift capabilities that allow users to move pallets with little effort. Pallet lifters and tilters use a fork design to maneuver crates, pallets and boxes into working position. Pallet positioners and level loaders have a flat table-like surface that raises, lowers, tilts, and rotates freight.

Rigging slings and lifting slings are made of cable, chain, rope or webbing, and are used with a lift or crane to safely move large loads. Chain slings handle odd-shaped, hard-to-position loads or hot materials. Teacup pipe lifting slings are used with heavy concrete water and sewer pipes. Round slings are color-coded for quick identification of weight ratings. Wire mesh slings are used in metalworking and other industries where loads can be too abrasive or hot for web slings. Wire rope slings hold up to heavy-duty use in rigging and lifting applications. Web slings provide stability and balance when lifting bulky objects, and are used with vertical, basket, and choker hitch types. Web sling wear pads protect against property damage and personal injury.

Scales and weighing systems provide accurate weight measurements. Medical and bathroom scales weigh individuals in doctors’ offices and other healthcare environments. Bench and floor scales are suitable for general-purpose weighing, bagging, and packaging applications. Crane scales and dynamometers hang from a backloader, forklift, or beam for heavy-duty weighing applications such as engine motors, industrial equipment, construction materials, and metal drums. Food scales and lab scales are suitable for clean, precision applications such as food handling and pharmaceuticals. Scale accessories include batteries, ramps, indicators, and other tools to improve productivity and assure accuracy.

Furniture and stools include task chairs, stools and computer cabinets that stand up to environmental hazards and make working in the shop or lab more comfortable. ESD cleanroom chairs and stools are treated to reduce dust and eliminate electrostatic discharges that can disable electronic components. Computer cabinets provide space for information technology systems.

Structural framing systems consist of frames and connectors. They can be assembled to build industrial and commercial structures, such as scaffolding, shelving, machine guards, and carts. Aluminum extrusions and framing system accessories create custom-built material handling systems.

Winches consist of a rope, cable or chain that winds around a horizontal rotating drum. They are used to lift and pull heavy items. Manual winches are powered by a hand crank for applications where a power source is unavailable or would not be practical. Electric winches are motorized to move loads or tow vehicles with less effort than manual winches. Air winches have air motors for precise load control and are frequently used in construction and maintenance. Hydraulic winches are less likely to overheat. They are frequently used for pulling and lifting heavy marine and agricultural equipment over longer periods of time..

Workbenches provide space for handling tools and materials, and for working on projects. Pre-configured workbenches and worktables provide surfaces for performing daily tasks. Cabinet benches provide not only a work surface, but also storage space for frequently used tools and supplies. Workstands offer a mobile surface for performing and documenting parts inspections. Workbench components and accessories customize workstations.