fimely tips on narrow aisle lift trucks

fftHll-Ethe economic crunch ofthe80s did not create UU a need to get best possible use out of storage, production and distribution space, it sharply underlined the problem. And solutions.

Among solutions attracting increasing interest is the application of narrow aisle, electricity powered lift trucks. In some cases this equipment can be introduced with little cost except that of shifting othenrise suitable racks to tighten up the aisles. Other revisions might include adding racks to expanded space and extending the height of all racks where possible and practical. In other cases, new storage facilities are designed to obtain best usage from the narrow aisle machines.

Planning to get better use of storage space in your next improvement project? Here are a few things you need to know about application of narrow aisle lift trucks. Narrow aisle trucks are frequently used in combination with sitdown rider trucks and low-lift pallet trucks. Since narrow aisle trucks can handle pallets in narrower aisles than those required by sit-down counterbalanced trucks, they are frequently used in applications where space utilization is extremely important.

Story at a Glance

Narrow aisle litt trucks operate in 8 ft. aisle . . . use 50% of available floor space . versatile reach-type ver. sion outsells straddle model.

Since narrow aisle trucks do not lend themselves to truck andlor rail car loading or unloading operations, low-lifts are frequently used for unloading trailers or rail cars and transporting products to storage areas where narrow aisle trucks are used for high stacking.

Pictures tell the basic story. Fig. I represents a storage aisle 100 ft. long with 4 ft. long x 4 ft. wide loads stacked on the floor. A conventional sit-down rider lift truck requires an aisle width of approdmately 12 ft. to service this storage area. As a result, only 4O9o of the available floor area is used for storage.

Fig. 2 represents a storage aisle that is serviced by a narrow aisle type truck. It saves valuable storage space by operating in an 8 ft. wide aisle. ln this situation 5090 of the available floor area is used.

There are two kinds of nanow aisle lift trucks: straddle and reach. The reach-type came about via simple evolution. Noting the space-saving advantages of narrow aisle straddle trucks, warehouse operators decided narrow aisle trucks were the way to go.

Llff trucks continue to develoo to fit the needs of the user. This narrow aisle machine helps to get the best possible use from storage soace. lt was introduced in 1983.

Unfortunately, warehouses had a problem. Straddle trucks required a minimum clearance of 5 to 6 in. between pallets and between pallets and rack uprights. It became a case of scrapping existing racks or finding a narrow aisle truck capable of servicing the existing racks. In an effort to solve this problem, the reach-type truck evolved.

The reach-type truck combined the versatility of conventional counterbalanced trucks with the space saving advantages of a narrow aisle truck. It could be used in applications for which only counterbalanced trucks were previously considered suitable.

This versatility has increased its usage. Today it outsells

N.M. HOME CENTERS

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Lovington and Roswell stores serve regions occupied in cattle and sheep ranching and oil drilling operations in the Permian Oil Basin.

The format for the stores with the exception of the specialty store in Artesia has been a two to three acre lumber yard with a 6,000 to 7,000 sq. ft. showroom. The once predominant contractor business has been supplemented with d-i-y customers who now account for about 5090 of the sales volume. Acknowledging this change, the stores have made a strong commitment to the d-i-y market with lines including floor covering and kitchen cabinets as well as standard building materials, lumber and hardware.

Because of the strong d-i-y trade, much of the business is cash and carry, ranging from 3090 - 8090 of the sales, depending on the store. Product emphasis also varies from store to store. For example, Alamogordo shoppers are strong buyers of lumber materials for fencing and small household projects. Retirees in Truth-or-Consequences want paint, wallpaper, floor covering and other fix-up supplies. Ruidoso, with lots of new rustic type construction, requires pine siding and other residential construction supplies.

S.W. Stephens is president of the chain which headquarters in Alamogordo. To keep up with the record sales volume of the '80s, now averaging $tS million a year, management has installed both a computer system and telecommunications system. Both have achieved "tremendous savings in operating and equipment charges," according to Ballard. The stores also participate in the Builder Marts of America program.

In addition to replacing and renovating existing stores, management is not adverse to thinking about adding additional units. There has been talk for several years about adding a couple of new stores, although no new locations have been acquired to date.

In addition to the retail units, T-Bird operates a lumber and building materials wholesale distribution center in Alamogordo. Allied Forest Products also owns White Sands Forest Products, a stud mill in Alamogordo, which supplies the T-Bird units.

..WESTERN'' MEETS

(Continued from poge | 3) ing is the move in some quarters to eliminate the deduction for home mortgage interest.

Indiana dealer Jim Pence had standing room only for his very well received "Good Ideas" seminar. Noting that creativity in producing "good ideas" can be nurtured, he orrtlined some ideas to aid creativity. These included (l) motivation, (2) use the time best for you, (3) work at Transportation expert WallY it, (4) takes courage to be creative, (5) takes background knowledge, and (6) a positive climate is essential.

Pence also offered tips for stimulating creativity. Uis top ten include (l) read, keep notes, (2) write down your ideas, (3) do things that require mental effort, (4) take a different way to work each day to stimulate flexible thinking, (5) travel, (6) question all you do, (7) keep current in your field, (8) cultivate humor, (9) take more risks, ( l0) be selfconfident and positive.

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ATTITUDE adjustment (1 ) Karsten Tjernagel, Bonnie Lindberg. NIatt & Gladys Matts0n, Emma Barry. (2) Judy Brothers, Angie & Norm Kruckenberg. (3) Priscilla & Dexter

Bacon, Arny Kirkebo. (4) Tom Houghton, Tom Conchuratt. (5) ldan lverson, Mary Allen. Mary Ann Warren. (6) Jim Eichholtz, Dean & Lula Vanderholf. (7) Joan & Bob McPherson. (8) Darrell Smith, Jim Sherman, Jim Basler, (9) Joe Connors, Tom Mock, Sandi Boolh. (10) K.G. Melde, Jim Porteous.

(11) Edward & Kathleen Gunderson. (12) Dick Witts, Kevin Richmond (13) Eddie Klune. Cherie Shaw. (14) Dennis & Katie Parry, George LeDoux. (15) Thad & Nadine Hinkle (16) Joe Armitage, Cecil Cleveland, Fritz Brayton. (17) Pete & Gerrie Sylvester

(18) Ted Hannum, Mark Lowe, Sharon & John Connell.