Page 20 - AWA Vol.42-No.5 issue

HArVESTiNG & STorAGE

The right Tool for the Job: How one Combilift Has delivered

Safe operations for 28 years
The C-Series' multi-directional capabil-
ity provided the ideal solution, allowing
operators to move long loads sideways
with greater control and stability, while
navigating tight spaces and narrow door-
ways safely and efficiently.
For nearly three decades, the C-Series
has transformed the site operations and
the way the company used to handle
long loads. And the benefits extend be-
yond traffic disruption. It has also short-
ened unloading times and significantly
improved safety for operators, pedestri-
ans, and passing vehicles.
McManus continues: “With the C-Ser-
ies, it’s less labour intensive than it used
As National Forklift Safety Day high- ance trucks. We had to reverse a lorry to be. It would take a lot of people to off-
lights the importance of safe material in here and were on a main busy road in load containers before, but now, one op-
handling practices, the story of the first- the town." He adds: "But now, it just pulls erator can offload a container in a short
ever Combilift C-Series demonstrates up in the loading bay. We can offload it space of time compared to before.”
the lasting value of choosing the right safely, both sides if needed, with minimal
tool for the job. obstruction to traffic." An additional safety feature is the
forklift's integrated platform, which has
Still in operation after 28 years at J.G. further enhanced load stability when
Kelly Supplies in Monaghan, Ireland, handling such long products. Operators
the original multi-directional forklift has can now safely support lengthy stillages
helped transform the company's han- during transport, reducing the risks as-
dling of long loads, improving safety, sociated with moving oversized loads
increasing efficiency, and proving that and making the entire process more con-
purpose-built equipment can deliver ex- trolled and efficient.
ceptional returns for decades.
McManus adds: “We know that it’s a lot
Before the company started operat- safer, once you get the load on the plat-
ing a Combilift, traditional forklift meth- form, you can sort of relax almost. You've
ods created significant operational and got that stability of it being on the rest
safety challenges. beds."
Long PVC stillages measuring up to six Safety on site has been greatly im-
metres had to be moved through a door- proved by the introduction of the C-Ser-
way only four metres wide. Conventional ies, but equally remarkable is the ma-
counterbalance forklifts could not han- chine's longevity.
dle the task safely or efficiently.
Managing Director Paul Kelly high-
Operator Tony McManus explains: lights: “I never expected we'd still be
"Before, we just used to use counterbal- using the same forklift nearly three de-

18 Vol. 42 No. 5