Forklifts and other MHE are typically associated with moving heavy loads, but they can also be used for tasks beyond lifting.
An innovative application is using a forklift or reach truck to clean cold store floors. By attaching a forklift brush, you can reduce the use of manual labour, resulting in increased efficiency, and ensuring a cleaner & safer workspace.
This is far from the reality of housekeeping in South Africa’s warehousing industry…Where cold stores often use employees, without adequate PPE & equipment. This results in poor housekeeping with the possibility that it stays warehouse and is merely swept out of sight and under the racking.
What is a Forklift Brush Attachment?
A forklift brush attachment is a robust, durable tool designed to easily mount onto any standard forklift or reach truck. The attachment converts the forklift into a powerful sweeper that can easily handle any debris. Whether it is sweeping wet, dry, or frozen materials, inside or outside, this attachment is a low-maintenance, cost-effective solution to keep your workspace clean.
Practical Uses in Cold Stores
Cleaning freezer and cold storage environments by hand is not only uncomfortable but also time-consuming. Utilizing a reach truck equipped with a heated cab and a brush attachment can significantly speed up the process. As the machines can sweep the access aisles in minutes, bringing debris to the front for easy removal. This method is particularly effective in mobile racking stores, where preventing debris buildup ensures smooth movement of the bases.
An additional design element is incorporated for warehouses with mobile racking. A bent steel flange that can be fitted to the guide rail, allowing the debris to be easily swept into the gangway for manual collection.
Key Benefits of Forklift Brush Attachments
- Efficient Waste Handling: Capable of sweeping up a wide range of debris, from broken pallet pieces to products, nuts & bolts, dirt, and plastic wrapping.
- Cost-Effective Cleaning: The brush attachment offers powerful sweeping action at a fraction of the cost of a specialized sweeper machine, saving both time and money on cleanup.
- Durable Construction: Built to last, these brushes are made from rugged materials that ensure long service life.
- Low Maintenance: With no moving parts to wear out, these attachments require minimal upkeep. The bristles are also easy to replace with a quick slide-in, slide-out system.
- Enhanced Safety: The brush system minimizes dust and has no moving parts, making it a safe option for daily use. It also helps reduce hazards from debris in cold store aisles, improving overall workplace safety.
Why to Use Reach Trucks with Heated Cabs?
For cold storage environments, using reach trucks with heated cabs makes the cleaning process more comfortable for operators. This feature ensures that the sweeper can work efficiently, even in freezing temperatures. Ease of use makes it suitable for daily use at the end of a shift.
Versatility and Ease of Use
The forklift brush attachment is not only powerful but also versatile. It can sweep in both directions—forward and reverse—and can be easily cleaned with water or steam. This makes it an ideal solution for a range of tasks, from clearing access aisles in cold stores to sweeping larger outdoor areas.
Additionally, the option of a magnetic attachment is available. This attachment will assist in collecting and clearing any metallic debris, typically nuts and bolts. As concerning it may be to find nuts and bolts laying around within a warehouse, its more common than you think! collecting loose nuts and bolts is important as they can jam mobile bases, they also assist your maintenance team in identifying possible issues.
Keeping your cold store floors clean is essential for maintaining smooth operations and reducing maintenance on mobile racking systems. A forklift brush attachment offers a practical, long-term solution to ensure your facility stays in top condition.
Cost:
The standard Forklift brush attachment is available for: R14,085.00 (Ex vat & shipping).
Barpro also offers a specialized Forklift Brush attachment with a magnetic strip that must be wired to the forklift battery. This attachment will be available for R16,185.00 (Ex vat & shipping).