Strict hygiene standards, controlled temperatures, contamination risks, spoilage, and increasing customer demands are just some of the considerations that Yale forklifts and warehouse equipment must consider every day in food processing operations environments. Various food processing industry businesses may need to select specialist materials handling equipment to meet regulations or to help keep operations running smoothly.
Yale Special Engineering Department
Yale Lift Truck Technologies works closely with operations in the food processing industry to understand their challenges, and provide technologies developed with customer driven purpose. Where there is a demand for unique solutions, the Yale Special Products Engineering Department (SPED) gives businesses the added flexibility to specify Yale materials handling equipment tailored for their individual application requirements. Here are just a few examples of specially engineered Yale warehouse equipment and forklift trucks that empower food processing businesses to work efficiently.
Food safe forklifts and materials handling equipment
Strict hygiene standards must be adhered to in food processing. Did you know you can get food grade forklifts and warehouse equipment from Yale?
For example, for a food safe conversion for lifting equipment, ask your local Yale dealer about replacing standard lift truck hydraulic oil and lubricants, with food grade equivalent products. We can offer products that are compliant with H1 requirements. Including Purity FG AW 46, or equivalent, hydraulic oil and lubricants. And Purity FG Grade 2, or equivalent, grease.
Eliminating forklift corrosion and paint chipping
Many forklifts in food processing applications operate in environments that are wet, salty, or dusty. Cold stores are also common. These conditions can expose materials handling equipment to corrosion. This is not only damaging to the truck, impacting its lifespan, but also presents the risk of chipped paint, which could contaminate clean operations.
To avoid this, Yale can provide corrosion protected pallet trucks. For example, the Yale MP16-22 pedestrian pallet truck can be specially engineered to integrate a hot zinc coated frame, tie rods, lever, and tiller knob. The battery cover, steering cover, and steering support are painted with cold zinc and using cataphoresis (also known as e-coating), which provides a uniform layer of paint that protects against corrosion and chipping. All bearings are also sealed for added protection.
Forklifts to reduce contamination risk
In the unlikely event that a falling item, for example, causes damage to a forklift windscreen, laminated glass helps to reduce the potential contamination of working areas or goods in transit. Available for selected Yale forklifts, laminated glass includes a sheet of plastic film sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Even if damaged, it will typically stay intact and in place. This also helps to offer continued driver protection from harsh environments – for example, if there is moisture or dust in the air.
Maintaining cleanliness with lithium-ion lift trucks
Cleanliness is paramount to maintain hygiene levels in food processing. Any materials handling equipment used to transport raw materials or finished goods around the production facility, should not contribute to an unclean environment. For example, traditional black forklift tyres can leave carbon rubber residue, which can contaminate food products. Simply selecting non-marking tyres can help to maintain a clean environment by minimising floor scuffs and marks. No special engineering is needed – just speak to your local Yale dealer about tyre options.
Electric forklifts are commonly used indoors and outdoors in food processing operations. Various Yale forklifts are available with lithium-ion batteries, which can support clean operations without the need for specially engineered solutions. For example, the Yale ERP25-30VLL fully integrated lithium- ion forklifts produce no exhaust emissions during operation or charging, helping protect indoor and outdoor air quality. The lithium-ion batteries have no fumes or acid, which could result in a spill leading to contamination. Unlike lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are ‘maintenance free’, requiring no watering, cleaning, or equalising, helping reduce potential contact with contaminants on a clean food processing site.
Order Yale trucks for food industry operations
Food processing environments present specific challenges, but there is almost always a solution. Yale Lift Truck Technologies is ready to take your challenging, new and interesting handling opportunities and find innovative ways to help you take control, improving food hygiene and environmental cleanliness, while maximising efficiency and meeting your customer demands.
Talk to your expert local Yale dealer today about materials handling solutions to suit the food processing industry, or how the Yale Special Engineering Department can support you.
