Aluminum platform trucks are one of the most convenient, efficient, and cost-effective ways to move small loads through your business.
But using aluminum platform trucks improperly can result in tip-over accidents and other disasters that can result in damaged or ruined products and the potential for employee injuries.
Here are five things NOT to do with your aluminum platform truck.
5. Overload It
Every aluminum platform truck is rated for maximum weight. When you exceed that weight, it can put too much pressure on the trucks’ wheels, bed, and other parts, ultimately resulting in parts failure.
Before loading your aluminum platform truck with products, supplies, parts, equipment, machinery, or other items, know the maximum weight that your cart can hold and don’t exceed it.
4. Pull It Up or Down an Incline When Fully Loaded
When you load materials onto an aluminum platform cart, the payload is balanced on the bed of the truck. But when you push or pull the truck up or down a ramp, the center of gravity can shift.
If the center of gravity moves to a point that is not within the four wheels, the payload, the cart, or both will topple over. Don’t push loaded carts up or down ramps unless you are sure they are stable enough not to tip over.
3. Move the Cart Too Quickly
When you are in a hurry, there is a temptation to push the cart faster through your workplace. Unfortunately, most aluminum platform carts don’t come equipped with brakes.
So stopping a fast-moving, fully loaded aluminum platform cart can be challenging. Avoid collisions, damaged goods, injuries, and other potential disasters by always pushing your cart at a reasonable speed … even if you are behind schedule.
2. Ride on the Cart
There’s something about four-wheeled vehicles that naturally attract the curious. People naturally like to jump on moving shopping carts, power jacks, and other rolling vehicles.
But riding on your aluminum platform cart is usually a pretty bad idea. For one thing, it’s nearly impossible to control it when you are riding on its surface. For another, you look foolish and juvenile.
Resist the temptation to ride on your aluminum platform truck or other vehicles not authorized to carry riders or operators.
1. Let It Glide to a Stop
Fully loaded carts can weigh hundreds of pounds. So it’s a bad idea to let go of a moving cart and let it glide to a stop because it can easily roll into walls, stacks of boxes, or even people.
Instead, keep a firm grip on your cart until it comes to a complete stop. And make sure it isn’t parked on an incline before walking away from it.