Discussion:
The Flexi and Double Pallet Handling Forklifts

I have a client (I am an EH & S Consultant) who is considering getting two new, newly designed Forklifts. One being "The Flexi" which is widely used in Europe and operates totally differently than our conventional Forklifts and the other is a "Double Pallet Handler" Forklift. My concern is the current Operator Training which I provided to all of their Forklift operators would not be sufficient for these new units. My concern and question is: Is anyone familiar with either of these units, have you used or do you use one and is there any specific training formats available for these units. Thank you.
  • Posted 10 Aug 2011 05:54
  • Discussion started by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
Showing items 1 - 15 of 23 results.
ICS, hi. i appreciate almost 4 year shas passed since you raised your initial question. it is likely now that you have either left your employment or the machines have come and gone. however if you or anyone else have a need for training materials on the "flexi" articulated forklifts there is a company in the uk called Mentor training. they produce a range of training dvds that are pretty good and may be of some use.
  • Posted 8 Oct 2015 02:05
  • Reply by TonytheTrainer
  • Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
Well, as a retired (30 years) OSHA Compliance Officer I agree with you that there does exist a bit of leeway in the forklift "training" standard but it does outline the subject matter which needs to be covered and as for the time requirements I would like to point out the following section:

1910.178(l)(4)(iii)
An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.

I know back in the days when I was conducting inspections, I would look for that 3 year update on inspections. I know it states "evaluation", but a good refresher training course every 3 years is what we wanted to see.

Good luck
  • Posted 19 Dec 2011 23:19
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
John P. Leseganich, CPEA
Looks like my client is going through with introducing The Flexi into his facility. I am in need of obtaining someone or a comprehensive training program for future operators of The Flexi (articulating forklift). ANYBODY who can provide or direct me as to where this training can be obtained PLEASE contact me at: [email address removed]. I have located a number of training facilities but they are all over in the UK., I need it here in the US, PA state. Hope someone can assist. Thank you. P.S. I need the training to consist of much more that a simple video showing the capabilities of the unit....thanks again.
  • Posted 5 Nov 2011 00:12
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
I have attempted to obtain training information on The Flexi but have not been too successful. I or the client did have two reps from the distributor come out and provide some training but that was simply a video which in my mind only showed the "capabilities" of The Flexi and its control system. My forklift training is a little more involved and does reference the stability triangle and other important factors of the lift itself. If you have any web site or where I can obtain information (training) let me know. I like you are not sold on the unit. Many of my clients realize that forklift traffic within a manufacturing facility pose many risk and the last thing they or I want them to do is introduce another concern on top of the general forklift / pedestrian concern. Thanks again for the comments.
  • Posted 4 Nov 2011 07:55
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
John P. Leseganich, CPEA
No Problem. I hope it all goes well. I recently questioned two of the main suppliers for further information on the stability aspects of the trucks. I have not been completely happy with the replies but I was sent a training booklet. I found that this was fairly concise but the stability is still an issue. I have used and trialed these trucks in a logistics environment and found them slow and problematic. I don't think I would be happy training operators on them however.
  • Posted 4 Nov 2011 07:08
  • Reply by WTSIreland
  • Dublin, Ireland
WTSIreland, Thank you so much for your input. Sorry for the delay in replying or reading all the post....been a little busy...anyway. The Flexi was put into action and we already have had some concerns. I am pleased to see or finally receive a comment from someone who has worked with these units. I see some advantages to these units but I am not sold on them at this time......as for the "Safety Aspect" of them. Your points or areas of concern are valid and again, thank you. Any other comments on these units will be appreciated. Many thanks.
  • Posted 3 Nov 2011 22:09
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
John P. Leseganich, CPEA
John,

It is true that we utilise a greater range of trucks and mainly due to the european 'policy' of building up not out due to land availability. I do think that it is very successful and VNA trucks when managed correctly perform exceptionally well in regard to time, but this is dictated by the correct process flow and management of the warehouse. Front loader trucks are quicker but when greater land use is in play then distance to the pick up/drop off point also becomes a factor. Either way I was directing the conversation to the flexi truck. This truck will need more practical testing before I can convince myself that it is a viable option for warehousing.
M.
  • Posted 29 Sep 2011 17:52
  • Reply by WTSIreland
  • Dublin, Ireland
WTSIreland,
The European market has always been light years ahead of the US in VNA & other high density storage system & equipment. The main rational is the US much more usable land mass. So VNA solutions are slow to catch on. For example - the side loading lift truck is common in Europe and widely used in timber (lumber) yards for storage - in the US most timber (lumber) yards will used front loading 8-10K counterbalanced w/triple & side shift. And there is an issue with insurance when inflammable (or flammable) products are stored close together = potential for greater loss = greater insurance premiums.
On the other hand, electric side loaders are or were commonly used in steel service centers in the US - China seems to be doing a lot of our metal stuff now..
  • Posted 29 Sep 2011 08:02
  • Reply by johnr_j
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"
The Flexi truck is widely used in Europe and it is growing as a choice for customers. I have experience as both a customer and a trainer with these trucks. I found as a customer the equipment appears as great value for money on paper but when in practical operation our KPI and order picking times were seriously affected. The trucks should not be the only choice for a user as they are cumbersome when compared to other designs. As a trainer and safety provider I find these trucks dangerous and have yet to be won over to another view. It is a truck which is both a counterbalance and a reach truck. I am sure you aware the slight disorientation of operators when 'jumping' from one truck type to another but this is continual with the Flexi(Bendi). Drivers have difficulty in coordinating activities, even experienced operators. another point is that when the truck moves into a position in a narrow aisle I am unhappy with the weight vs counterweight movement as I believe that the stability triangle is compromised. If you need to see some videos of the trucks in operation they are available on the Bendi website.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck.
M.
  • Posted 29 Sep 2011 01:29
  • Reply by WTSIreland
  • Dublin, Ireland
I will be at one of our local Casino's tonight playing in a Hol'm tourney and I am sure they will have the game on the Big Screen, so should be a good night at the Casino. As for the Single/Double Lift, I can see their use but I would rather solve some of our other Forklift issues before introducing a new unit...oh well, nice Vet....I am somewhat of a "motor head", like my motorcycles and classics, buy, fix up, show and sale...just picked up...now hold on......a 1977 Ford Maverick..I know, not your typical "muscle car", but this thing is pretty clean, original owner, on a 1-10 comes in right around a 7-8 in condition. Picked her up in Toledo, drove it home to Canfield, Ohio, about a 200 miles trip, 70 MPH, straight and true...thanks for the comments, take care.
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 05:09
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
John (ICS), it feels like Friday here, with the hoopla of the NFL concert before the Packer/Saints game and then the game, there are going to be so many people in GB that traffic will become a serious issue..........they are prdicting as many people at the concert as at the game......glad I am staying home...
Hope you are able to decide if this Single/Double will work for you, because as I stated earlier, it is a great piece of equipment, if it can fit your facility work load.....
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 04:44
  • Reply by TC17
  • Wisconsin, United States
LOL! Well when I worked with OSHA I was called a number of things, but being the "ICS Guy" is the first...but I like it. Yes my name is John and I appreciate all the input. Problem with discussing concerns in "text" is that you don't have any tone, that is you can't really tell ones actuall opinion or concern and also when you type fast like I do, and think before typing...well your spelling and grammar is sometimes in question...as noted in some of the replies and my statements. Anyway, I agree....this conversation would flow much better over a few beers, but it isn't Friday yet.................IS IT?
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 04:22
  • Reply by ICSConsulting
  • Ohio, United States
John R., I can see where the confusion is, but I clicked on the ICS guy and found out his name was John....I just did not like responding to him as ICS Consultant..... LOL.

Sorry for the confusion.....
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 04:17
  • Reply by TC17
  • Wisconsin, United States
TC17,
My response was to the ICSConsulting guy that was looking for training on the use of a single-double pallet handler. Me thinks your reply is best suited for him.
Not an issue & it is Friday & all good folks in Wisconsin are looking forward to 5:01 PM, a little TGIF & a pint or two of "Milwaukee's Best" or that "Sky Blue Water" stuff made on the west side. I lived in Chicago area & worked for the big Allis lift truck division once upon a time.
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 04:09
  • Reply by johnr_j
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"
John, this is what I would consider. Can we afford the Single/Double and if so, you have it and since you can utilize it as a single or a double pallet handler you have it on the truck and cna utilize it in either capacity. There would be NO time lost due to changing from Single to Double as it is just the hydraulics that convert it from one or the other, NO need to change attachments. Just a thought, but reading your last post it seems you might have already decided that it not going to work for your environment.
  • Posted 9 Sep 2011 02:04
  • Reply by TC17
  • Wisconsin, United States

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