With all machine applications there is one simple formula that always seems to work: The right machine always gets the job done best.

What is materials handling? It seems like this should be an easy question to answer, but it isn't because the answer could include all aspects of construction. Earthmoving is a material handling process; steel erection, concrete pouring or pumping, asphalt lay down, site prep, and landscaping are all various type of materials handling. Second to these operations is the physical activity of getting materials to the job site and then into position for use on the site.

Cat applies the materials handling phrase to two different jobs (ignoring Cat lift trucks for working in paved areas) — construction materials handling on-site and bulk materials handling. The latter task is the realm of excavators equipped as materials handlers to move bulk commodities and to handle scrap metals and waste, yet another material handling operation.

Since the advent of telehandlers and the rapid expansion of attachments, virtually any machine can be used as a materials handler. The telehandler is marketed under a variety of different names — rough-terrain shooting boom lift truck and shooting boom fork lift are a couple of examples.

There is no generic piece of equipment specifically dedicated to the materials handling task.

There are several different machines designed to perform materials handling tasks. These machines have considerable overlap in their capabilities.

Telehandlers are the most popular materials handler at building construction job sites because of their ability to deliver materials to high places. They are also good for unloading materials from trucks. The original application for the first of these machines was with masonry contractors because of the need to get large loads of block, brick or stone up to the floor levels on which crews were working. With the wide selection of attachments currently available telehandlers have become good multifunction tools. Grapples, buckets, hooks, and other similar tools expand their useful capability. They are excellent on landscaping projects because of their ability to place loads without disturbing the terrain.

Skid steers certainly qualify as materials handlers especially when equipped with forks. Remember that there are two different lifting arrangements available on skid steers — the radial lift and the vertical lift. The vertical is the better of the two choices if a major application is going to be lifting, moving and placing jobsite materials. The radial lift machines, equipped with load-leveling sensors, will perform as well but will lose some reach at the top of the lifting cycle. The skid steer is especially popular with landscaping and masonry contractors.

Compact track loaders, also known as multi-terrain loaders or tracked skid loaders, become good materials handlers when equipped with forks. The track platform gives them great stability and also provides them with low ground pressure for travel across soft underfoot conditions or in a landscaping application across sod.

Compact wheel loaders and small wheel loaders equipped with forks and material handling arms along with the integrated tool carrier made small loaders more versatile; now compact wheel loaders and VersaLink equipped wheel loaders add more machines to that flexible group. VersaLink offers parallel lift and strong digging forces. Compact wheel loaders provide greater mobility and better ride than skid steers. They can move around the job site somewhat faster.

Backhoe loaders with forks with the integrated tool carrier front on backhoe loaders gives them parallel lift capabilities and the ability to change tools quickly. Since backhoe loaders seem to be present on every major construction job and they are very mobile, they often serve as the materials handlers on-site.

Some mid-sized wheel loaders also serve as materials handlers on-site. Usually those are used at large construction sites where there is a need to stage materials and move them around a yard and on and off trucks. Ultimately the size of the job and the size and volume of materials to be moved should dictate which machine is best for the application. Unfortunately, too often, the machine that's available is the one that gets used. Too often this can be a mistake.

Critical things to remember when moving materials:

The machine being used must be of a size and have the power to handle the load safely. When you add an attachment to the front end of a piece of equipment you change its load handling capacity as well as its lift height. This is especially true if the piece of equipment has a quick coupler. The coupler not only changes the weight but also the distance the load is from the machine which can change the machine's tipping capacity.

Experience is a necessary ingredient in lifting and moving materials around the job site. A new operator needs to develop the ability to react to the unexpected. There simply is no substitute for experience. Once you have a load in motion it's not all that easy to stop its direction of travel or to put it back down. ...

Pre-start inspections are critical and should never be glossed over. No shortcuts! Follow the manufacturer's checklist. Look for cracks, missing or loose parts, and fluid leaks. No shortcuts!

On rubber-tired machines check tire air pressure. Be sure that all tires are properly inflated for the application.

Check the operating functions of all systems before moving the machine.

Never exceed manufacturer load limits.

Plan every lift and move. Make certain that your travel path is free of obstacles both on the ground and overhead. Make sure you use a spotter to load and unload the machine. Never take a chance. When in doubt don't do it. Ask for help or turn the job over to someone better qualified. It's too easy to make mistakes when moving around the job site. It's always better to be overly cautious than even a little careless.

Staff
February 05, 2007
Dixie Contractor