Equipment / Other Equipment

Equipment / Other Equipment

This collection brings together practical warehouse and dispatch equipment that supports day-to-day packing, pallet handling, load restraint, and site safety. You’ll find items that help you move goods (pallet trucks, platform trucks, sack trucks), prepare and cut packaging materials (packing stations, roll dispensers, cutters), secure loads for transport (ratchet straps), and manage seasonal site conditions (de-icing salt and a salt spreader). Used together, these tools can reduce handling time, improve consistency at the packing bench, and help protect goods during storage and transit.

Equipment / Other Equipment — Helpful Guide

Because this category covers several different tasks, the easiest way to choose is to start with your workflow: (1) move goods to the packing area, (2) prepare packaging materials, (3) secure and protect the load, and (4) maintain safe access around the building and yard. The sections below explain the main equipment types in this collection and when each is typically used.

1) Moving goods: pallet trucks, platform trucks, and sack trucks

Manual handling equipment is often the biggest lever for improving throughput. The right truck reduces repeated lifting, helps prevent product damage from drops or knocks, and makes it easier to position loads accurately for wrapping, strapping, or labelling.

Pallet trucks are designed to lift and move palletised loads over short distances on relatively smooth floors. Fork dimensions matter because they determine pallet compatibility and manoeuvrability.

• 540x1000 - Pallet Trucks
  Compact fork length can be useful where turning space is limited (tight aisles, small goods-in areas, or loading bays). A shorter fork can improve manoeuvrability, but you should confirm it supports the pallet footprint you handle most often.

Platform trucks are suited to cartons, totes, and mixed items that aren’t on pallets. They’re commonly used for order picking, moving packed cartons to despatch, or transferring goods between workstations.

• 1067x610 - Platform Trucks
  A flat deck supports a wide range of box sizes and irregular items. Consider deck size, wheel type, and the typical route (smooth warehouse floor vs thresholds/ramps) when selecting a platform truck.

Sack trucks (hand trucks) are ideal for moving single heavy cartons, small appliances, or stacked boxes. They’re also useful for deliveries where you need to move goods from vehicle to site without a pallet truck.

• 1150x405 - Budget Sack Trucks
  A straightforward option for general box handling. When choosing, check toe plate size, overall height, and whether the load profile you move is tall, narrow, or prone to tipping.

2) Building an efficient packing area: packing stations, roll dispensers, and cutters

A well-organised packing bench reduces wasted motion and helps standardise how parcels and pallets are prepared. The goal is to keep the most-used materials within easy reach, provide clean cutting and dispensing, and maintain a consistent working height.

• Complete Packing Station
  Creates a dedicated area for packing tasks. A packing station typically helps by centralising materials and tools, improving repeatability, and reducing time spent searching for consumables.
• Mobile Polythene Roll Dispenser
  Supports controlled dispensing of polythene rolls and similar sheet materials. Mobility can be helpful when you wrap items in different locations or need to bring film to oversized products.
• Vertical-line Cutter
  Designed for clean, repeatable cuts on roll materials. Vertical cutters are often chosen where floor space is limited or where you want material stored upright for quick access.
• Basic-line Cutter
  A practical cutting solution for common roll materials. When selecting a cutter, consider the roll width you use most, the frequency of cutting, and whether you need portability or a fixed workstation setup.

Workflow tip: If you frequently cut the same lengths (for example, standard pallet top sheets or protective covers), a dedicated cutter and dispenser can improve consistency and reduce material waste caused by uneven hand-tearing.

3) Protecting and securing loads: shrink systems and ratchet straps

Load protection and restraint are related but different. Protection focuses on shielding goods from dust, moisture, and abrasion; restraint focuses on preventing movement during handling and transport. Many operations use both: wrap or cover the load, then strap it to stabilise it.

Shrink systems are commonly used with shrink film, pallet covers, pallet bags, and sheeting to create a tight, weather-resistant outer layer. A heat shrink gun system is typically used to apply controlled heat so the film conforms to the load shape. A complete system commonly includes the heat gun, hose, regulator, oil bottle, and instructions.

• Shrinkit System Gun
  Used for shrink applications where you need film to conform closely around products or palletised loads. Plan for a safe working area, adequate ventilation, and clear separation from flammable materials when using heat-based tools.

Ratchet straps are used to restrain loads on pallets, in vehicles, or on racking where movement could cause damage. When selecting straps, pay attention to length, end fittings, and the rating shown on the label. In transport contexts, straps are commonly marked with a lashing capacity (LC) and may also show a breaking force/strength figure; LC is the key value used for load-securing calculations.

• 8m - 5000kg BS Ratchet Straps
  Longer length can suit larger loads or situations where you need to route the strap around bulky items. Always avoid sharp edges (use edge protection where needed) and keep webbing free from cuts, abrasion, and chemical contamination.
• 5m - 2000kg BS Ratchet Straps
  A shorter strap can be easier to tension neatly on compact loads. Choose a length that allows correct routing without excessive tail, and ensure the strap is compatible with your anchor points and the load geometry.

4) Site and yard safety: de-icing salt and salt spreaders

Keeping walkways and loading areas safe in cold weather helps prevent slips and delays. De-icing products are often used around entrances, pedestrian routes, and loading bays where foot traffic and pallet truck movement are frequent.

• SP10 Salt Spreader
  Helps distribute de-icing material more evenly than hand scattering, which can improve coverage and reduce over-application in one spot.
• 25kg - White De-icing Salt
  Commonly used to help reduce ice formation on paths and yards. Store bags in a dry area to prevent clumping and to keep the material free-flowing for spreading.

Case study: reducing packing bottlenecks in a mixed-order despatch area

Scenario: A small warehouse ships a mix of single cartons and palletised orders. Staff frequently walk between storage, the packing bench, and despatch, and they cut protective film by hand. During peak periods, queues form at the packing area and loads sometimes arrive at despatch with loose outer wrap.

Common issues observed:

• Too much time spent moving goods one item at a time rather than consolidating moves.
• Inconsistent cutting of polythene sheets leading to wasted material and uneven coverage.
• Loads wrapped for protection but not adequately restrained for movement in the yard or vehicle.

Practical improvements using equipment from this category:

• Consolidate internal moves: Use a platform truck for cartons and a pallet truck for palletised loads so goods arrive at the packing area in fewer trips.
• Standardise material handling at the bench: Add a mobile roll dispenser and a dedicated cutter so protective sheets can be dispensed and cut cleanly to repeatable sizes.
• Separate protection from restraint: Apply film or covers for surface protection, then use ratchet straps where appropriate to prevent shifting during handling and transport.

Outcome: The packing area becomes more predictable: fewer interruptions, less material waste, and more consistent load stability. Staff also report less fatigue because heavy items are moved with the correct handling equipment rather than carried.

How to choose the correct equipment for your operation

Use the checklist below to match equipment to your environment, load types, and safety requirements.

Step 1: Define what you move most often

• Pallets: Start with a pallet truck. Confirm pallet dimensions, typical load weight, and turning space.
• Cartons and mixed items: A platform truck can reduce repeated lifting and speed up picking and despatch runs.
• Single heavy cartons or stacked boxes: A sack truck is often the simplest solution for short moves and deliveries.

Step 2: Map your packing workflow

• Where do materials live? If rolls and tools are scattered, a packing station can centralise them.
• How do you dispense and cut? If you hand-tear film or cut on the floor, a dispenser and cutter can improve safety and consistency.
• Do you pack in multiple locations? Mobile equipment (like a roll dispenser) can reduce walking and keep materials close to the job.

Step 3: Decide how you will protect and restrain loads

• Protection: Film and sheeting help keep goods clean and reduce abrasion. Heat shrink systems can create a tighter, more weather-resistant finish for certain applications.
• Restraint: Ratchet straps help prevent movement. Choose strap length and rating based on load geometry and the restraint method you use.

Step 4: Consider the environment and safety controls

• Floor condition: Rough surfaces, thresholds, and ramps can influence which truck wheels perform best and how easily loads roll.
• Space constraints: Shorter forks or compact trucks can help in tight areas, but must still support the load safely.
• Seasonal hazards: If ice is a recurring issue, plan storage for de-icing salt and a consistent spreading routine for pedestrian and loading areas.

Good practice and maintenance notes

Simple checks and habits can extend equipment life and reduce downtime.

• Trucks (pallet/platform/sack): Inspect wheels and castors for flat spots and debris; check handles and frames for looseness; keep routes clear of shrink wrap offcuts and strapping tails.
• Cutters and dispensers: Keep blades guarded and replace dull blades promptly; ensure rolls are loaded squarely to prevent wandering cuts.
• Ratchet straps: Inspect webbing for cuts, fraying, heat damage, and chemical exposure; keep labels readable; avoid knots; use edge protection on sharp corners.
• Heat shrink tools: Follow operating instructions; keep the work area ventilated; maintain safe distances from combustible materials; allow equipment to cool before storage.
• De-icing materials: Store in a dry place; keep spreaders clean and dry after use to prevent corrosion and clogging.

Frequently asked questions