Electric Material Handling Equipment Makes Everything Easier and Faster

An electric material handling equipment is used to move, control, store, and protect goods and materials throughout the manufacturing, distributing or warehousing process. Material handling represents different manual, automated and semi-automated equipment types that make the specific supply chain work smoothly. Some electric material handling equipment could be an electric forklift, lithium-ion forklift and many others.

What Are the Electric Material Handling Equipments?

Electric material handling equipment are devices used for the movement, specific storage, protection, and control of goods, materials and products throughout manufacturing goods, distribution, consumption of products, and, yes disposal of end products. This material handling equipment simply makes the whole process easier and faster than ever before. Obviously, people would like to protect, store and distribute their end products with proper safety. Using a lithium-ion forklift and electric forklift South Africa can be the right option.

Know about Different Types of Material Handling Equipment

There are four categories of electric or motor material handling equipment such as –

• Bulk material
• Industrial trucks
• Engineered systems
• And storage material handling

So, when you decide to choose electric material handling equipment, you first need to know about these four options. Without grabbing adequate information about these four types of material handling equipment, you won’t be able to make the right decision.

Know the Functionality of Material Handling Equipment

According to electric forklift specialists, choosing the right material handling equipment can make the process easier and faster. Now, the question comes here: how to choose material handling equipment? For this, you first need to know the functionality of material handling equipment.

As you already know that material handling is the professional movement of goods throughout a process of manufacturing. You need to know its main functions, and you need to know how electric material handling equipment works.

So, let’s check out the functions of material handling equipment.

• Material handling equipment concentrates on methods of handling.
• This equipment helps in controlling goods.
• You can manage the distribution of products or goods using material handling equipment.
• You can move products or goods from the manufacturing area to the storage facility safely with the help of material handling equipment.
• You can also use this material handling equipment to dispose of end products or goods.
• Since material handling equipment comes incorporated with the latest technology in vogue, you need to go through the manual book to understand its functionality better.

Do You Want to Choose the Best Material Handling Equipment?

Whether you are looking for an electric forklift South Africa or a lithium-ion forklift, you first need to know about the right supplier.

Are you still in a dilemma?

You need to look at nowhere else but Orizen Group. It’s the best network of experienced and highly skilled material handling equipment suppliers online. They provide a counterbalanced forklift so that electric forklift specialists can perform great.

If you want to get the best deal on buying electric material handling equipment, you need to contact the customer support team at Orizen Group or call +27 83 508 4897 for more details.

How application based solutions from Orizen helps its customers to operate without interruption and to reduce the cost

Battery & Charger technologies are developing at a rate that currently assures more than 80% of applications can be met by power smart Electric Forklifts. This places the onus squarely on the shoulders of buyers to make smart decisions to ensure the best fit.

These choices can be difficult and Orizen, a specialist in Electric Forklift solutions have for the past two decades progressed & positioned itself as a facilitator to make sense of a host of Battery and Charger choices using its modelling software which incorporates Customer Site Surveys and Operational Requirements. The entire concept is designed to achieve the best total cost of ownership for the asset called the Electric Forklif

LEADING IN INDUSTRY INNOVATION

The approach to serving this market has also led to Orizen acquire distribution rights for World-class Brands for batteries, chargers, Battery Monitoring and Management systems, Solid Forklift Tyres as well as Electric Forklifts.

According to managing director, Vijay Manchanda, it is also the first supplier in the country to offer two different Lithium Ion Battery technologies that are suitable for different forklift applications, namely nickel cobalt aluminium (NCA) and lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP). While most batteries today are LFP, an offshoot of the advancement of battery technology in electric vehicles (EVs), there are some limitations for its use in some applications.

For example, you can only charge them at 40% of the overall battery capacity to keep the designed life cycles. Hence it may still take a minimum of 2,5 hours to charge effectively. However, new technology in the form of NCA batteries developed in Europe, can be fully charged in an hour’s time and have 50%+ extra lifecycles than LFP. NCA cells have more than double the Specific energy than LFP. Added advantage is our ability to build these batteries locally and replace a cell or two than replacing the whole battery in case of a unexpected fault. NCA technology also finds its optimised use in cold store and freezer applications where it is essential that battery cell temperature is communicated to charger so that charger can adjust its charging rate to avoid damage to battery capacity, life and a possible explosion.

Temperature compensation can only be regulated through CANBUS communication with the Charger that talks to battery.

NO MORE ONE CHARGER PER BATTERY

Our Advanced Chargers in conjunction with Battery Monitoring Units enable customers to Charge any Battery (technology, amp hours and voltage) with any Charger sitting unutilized in your charge bay. This will alter the principle of one charger per battery.

ELECTRIC REPLACING DIESEL FOR OUTDOOR APPLICATION

ORIZEN is the exclusive dealer in South Africa for EP Equipment, and they offer a range of IP54 Protected Lithium Ion Smart Trucks as they are now able to operate in wet or rainy conditions. You are now able to reduce the number for Forklifts within your operation as these Smart Trucks can operate both indoors and outdoors. Electrics require a lot less maintenance, no fuel storage facilities and now can match the availability like the internal combustion counterparts. If carefully selected, these savings can enable the user to buy a complete new electric forklift from the savings alone. They are also cleaner running with no fumes nor spills to contaminate storage spaces or goods,” says Manchanda.

Depending on the application selected, electric forklifts can provide users with a return on their investment in quick time. It may be expensive to buy electric forklifts but It’s like buying your fuel upfront and once you start the payback point you start economizing.

BATTERY FOR LIFE, AND AFTER-LIFE

The company’s Lionbrix (NCA) batteries are supplied by Micropower in Sweden with specially developed Samsung cells and triple level process controls built in (redundancy in safety). They are super-safe, super-dense and designed by engineers who are experts in power electronics.

Toyota in UK and Europe use same Lionbrix concept as their very own Lithium Ion Solution. These batteries will still have over 80% capacity once they are unfit for forklift use and can then be reused in back up power application.

You can take out cells and build new battery for another or new forklift if required as small size allows fitment to any steel tank. “However, despite the newest technologies, different applications still call for different battery types. That is why we stock all available technologies and have seven types to choose from with three different charger types.

We assist customers to analyse current and future applications and provide insights to the correct solution for the user. With Warehouse development and the focus on space optimisation, narrower aisles and increased racking heights place a massive demand on the battery solutions.

By studying the application and reviewing the charge time available during Breaks per shift, we can specify the correct Battery and Charging solution.

UN-INTERRUPTED OPERATION AND MAXIMIZING ASSET LIFE - IOT

Technology has is evolving, and telematics places the control with the user and/or the service providers’ hands. Our technology enables us to track real time data made available on any machine at any time and enables us to monitor the use and abuse of the asset. We combine the philosophy of RCM (Reliability Centred Maintenance) and CBM (Condition based Maintenance) to achieve the maximum life expectancy from these assets. Our NOC (network operating centre) ensures that services happen on time and identify problem before it brings the forklift to halt. Remote Fleet Management (RFM) can even guide us which spares to take with us to go and fix a particular breakdown.

GOOD HANDS

Orizen currently employs Sales and Technical staff with a combined industry experience of over 150 years which is unheard of in the industry considering the recent development of these technologies.

It also offers a unique product warranty that can be linked to the provision of a complete solution from Orizen. This means that if the power systems and chargers are maintained and managed by the company, customers can enjoy the full benefit of an extended warranty on all equipment. “We believe that the wholistic management of electric forklift is the future of the industry as it can provide hassle-free operations for users. These services are available from any of our branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, as well as specially appointed dealers in all major centres of the country.

Manchanda concludes, 70% of Diesel/Gas dominated Forklift Industry in South Africa is poised to shift to electric forklifts.

Choosing the Best Forklift Batteries for Your Business Operation

Dependable forklift batteries can help you increase your uptime, productivity, and return on investment. However, the incorrect battery (or maintenance plan) might lead to reduced performance or downtime in the worst-case scenario. When the batteries in your forklift malfunction, business comes to a halt. Even a short period of interruption - productivity loss, disruptions, and contract consequences – may easily outweigh the cost of the forklift battery. So, how can you optimize uptime and reduce maintenance costs of such electric forklift batteries? Thus, the optimal strategy combines battery choices with other best practices to provide the highest battery dependability, safety, and effectiveness.

Where to Buy Forklift Batteries?

The forklift batteries are an essential business investment. Begin by choosing the appropriate batteries for your operation, and before you purchase or lease a new forklift battery, consider the following questions:

• What is the voltage of the vehicle?
• How large is the compartment?
• Will I require a cover?

When batteries are designed better, constructed to exact specifications, and combined with a higher-quality component, they last more, need less maintenance and minimize frequent sources of downtime. Orizon Group brings you high-quality forklift batteries South Africa that need little maintenance. Further, they are made locally and are among the best-engineered batteries on the market. So, by adhering to the battery best practice, you may extend the life of each forklift battery and avoid the need to buy a brand new forklift battery.

Considerations When Buying Electric Forklift Batteries, here are a few things to consider when buying electric forklift batteries.

1. Type of Batteries

Currently, there are two types of batteries are available on the market and also with Orizon Group, including:

• Lead-acid batteries
• Lithium-ion batteries

Lead-acid batteries, the most common kind, are liquid-filled and include a detachable top. They generate energy when a chemical process between the lead plates and sulfuric acid happens. However, lithium-ion batteries are the more recent technology of the two. Lithium-ion batteries are now widely utilized in smartphones, tablets, and electric cars. Additionally, they are becoming increasingly prevalent in airport ground support and warehousing equipment, like forklifts.

2. The Service Life

You're making a significant financial commitment, and you want to get the greatest value for your money. So, it is important to consider the full life of your battery. The kind of battery used by businesses influences how often operators must change it - an essential consideration when calculating the entire cost of forklift battery upkeep. The lifespans of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries are very different. Each has an average service life of:

• About 1,000 and 1,500 cycles for lead-acid
• About 2,000–3,000 cycles

Why are these life cycles significant? A battery's life cycle determines how often it needs replacement. Further, this is a significant aspect to consider when planning a battery maintenance and upkeep budget.

3. Time Spent on Maintenance

As discussed before, if a battery is not maintained properly, its life may be significantly reduced. Further, maintenance time can be expensive. So, certain precautions must be taken with a lead-acid and lithium-ion battery to enhance service life. Lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, demand greater attention.

Final Say

So before investing in or purchasing electric forklift batteries, it is best to weigh down all your considerations and then decide. Orizon Group can assist you in selecting the right type of battery for your forklift operation. Contact us today.

The Top Benefits Of Electric Forklifts

Battery-powered forklifts are fast becoming a staple for facilities across South Africa for a few key reasons. Compared to their fuel-powered counterparts, they offer numerous benefits without sacrificing their core functionality.

 

These benefits vary greatly, but all contribute to a solution that generally lowers the cost of ownership, ensures consistent efficiency, and ensures more sustainability in the long term.

 

So, if you have been on the fence about whether to buy a battery or fuel-powered forklift truck, here are a few good reasons to strongly consider the latter:

                                

 Less Air & Noise Pollution
 
Wherever heavy machinery is being used, there is a concern about pollution, even where the considerably lightweight forklift truck is concerned.

 

Fuel-powered forklift trucks contribute to two major types of pollution in facilities, namely air, and noise pollution.

 

Diesel or petrol engines make a lot of noise during operations, and while the sound of forklift trucks does tend to blend into the background of facilities, they contribute to a more stressful, unhealthy, and unsafe environment purely due to the noise they make.

 

Electric forklifts are much more silent in their operations, which helps to eliminate noise pollution from facilities.

 

The next type of pollution, air pollution, is of particular concern when forklift trucks are being used indoors since they expel harmful fumes into the air, which is unsafe for anyone in the vicinity. Even when used outside, they contribute to overall harm to the environment.

 

Electric forklifts, which produce no such pollution, therefore offer a much safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.

 
Maintenance Is Simple
 
Unlike their fuel-powered counterparts, the electric motors in battery-powered forklifts have far fewer moving parts, which means that they will take significantly less damage from wear and tear over time.

 

At the end of the day, this contributes to a reduction in the time and money spent on maintenance and repairs for electric forklifts, which accounts for compounded savings over time.

 

Additionally, electric forklifts require no oils or lubricants, which accounts for even more savings.

 

Lastly, there is less of a chance of failures and resulting downtime, which means that they offer higher levels of reliability, even with less of a need for maintenance.

Lowered Operational & Ownership Costs
 
The operational and ownership costs of fuel-powered forklifts can be substantial, most of which are not present in battery-powered forklifts, making them a far more attractive alternative for most businesses.

 

Just where fuel consumption is concerned, the cost of operating a fuel-powered forklift can increase by no less than 40%. This coupled with the savings on maintenance, ensures that battery-powered forklifts offer a much more affordable and sustainable solution.

No Need For Fuel Storage
 
For many businesses that use fuel forklifts, one of the biggest challenges to space and organization is how to correctly store the fuel needed for forklifts, which is a concern that obviously doesn’t apply to the use of electric ones, since they don’t require fuel of any type.

 

Fuel storage will increase the operational and ownership costs of forklifts substantially, adds another need for management and admin, and even presents numerous hazards such as risks of fires and explosions.

 

For those businesses opting for battery-powered forklifts, these are not things they need to worry about.

Improved Safety
 
The last major benefit of using electric forklifts is that they enhance the overall safety levels within a facility substantially. We have touched on a few of these already, like not needing to store fuel, having equipment that always operates correctly, and of course, not having harmful fumes and odors in working environments.

 

An often-overlooked aspect of safety here is that there won’t be any oil leaks or hazards present in your facility (at least not from the forklifts), which contributes to an overall safer operational environment.

Contact The Orizen Group For Details
 
If you would like to know more about our offers on electric forklifts for sale, be sure to get in contact with a representative from the Orizen Group today

Why should you rent a Lithium-ion Forklift?

Industrial forklift equipment is an essential element for many industries. A forklift is an industrial tool that assists in lifting and transporting large and heavy pieces of cargo. They get their name from their fork-like prongs that are used to lift a heavy load.

Many industries, including warehouses, dockyards, recycling operations, warehouses, etc. use forklifts for their operations. Forklifts come in many variations. Some permit operators to sit within them and operate the machine, while some do not. They can have either combustion engines or electric batteries. Whatever the forklift’s specifications maybe, their widespread use makes them ideal for all. It is important to choose the right forklift for your need. A good forklift is a key to efficiency, speed, and success. Electric forklifts and lithium-powered forklifts are just that. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these two types just so powerful.

   

Electric Forklifts

 

Electric forklifts are the cream of the crop when it comes to forklifts. Their efficiency, durability, and premium quality make them the right fit for almost any job you need to carry out. Warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, etc. are all viable activities with an electric forklift.

 

Electric forklifts are battery-powered. The battery is the primary power source of the forklift and also helps in stabilizing the equipment. The battery can be recharged at will, the forklift is operator-friendly, and it also has lower emissions than a regular forklift. Higher power, greater speed, and easier maneuverability – electric forklifts cover them all.

 

For anyone on the fence about the forklift they should go with, electric forklifts are the ideal choice. They are the most popular choice amongst all forklifts and will provide you with all the services you need without compromising on productivity. With an electric forklift, not only are you making your job more convenient, but you’re also protecting the environment one forklift at a time!

 

Lithium-Powered Forklifts

 

Lithium-powered forklifts are a subcategory of regular electric forklifts. The key difference here is that a lithium-ion battery is used in place of a lead-acid battery. Lead batteries were the primary power source for electric forklifts for several years. However, an increasing shift toward lithium-ion batteries has been noted. This can be attributed to their higher efficiency while minimizing the damage done to the environment.

 

We have listed below some of the benefits of using a lithium-ion battery for their electric forklift and electric forklift rental:

 

• Low Risk of Overheating– Lead-acid batteries, when overheated, can lead to an explosion. Lithium-ion batteries have their own battery-management system that ensures temperatures operate in safe ranges only.
• Low Ergonomic Risks– Lithium-ion batteries are very light when compared to lead-acid batteries. Ergonomic risks among workers are much lower.
• Low Forklift Risks– Lead-acid batteries must be removed from the forklift to be charged. This isn’t the case for lithium-ion batteries. Not only can they remain in the forklift when being charged, but they also have longer run times.
• Separate Charging Station isn’t Required– Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries don’t emit harmful gases while charging. A separate room isn’t required and risks are also lower.
• No Watering Required– Lithium-ion batteries are completely sealed and require no watering. Watering lead-acid batteries is a dangerous task and if not done correctly, can cause serious injury to the person in charge.

Conclusion

Electric forklifts and lithium-ion forklifts are the future of the forklift industry. While lead-powered forklifts are still useful in certain scenarios, lithium-ion forklifts reign supreme as the best of them all. They offer higher efficiency, safer handling, and environmental protection all in one neat package. This makes them the ideal choice for many. Let's explore the Electric forklifts and the Electric forklift rental solutions in South Africa with Orizen Group.

Choose lithium-ion forklifts for your needs and you won’t regret it.

Electric Forklift Battery Care Tips

If you are the proud owner of a battery-powered forklift, you no doubt have already put it to work on several key tasks in your business and would like to keep things that way.

 That means taking the best possible care of it, especially where its power source is concerned. Here we will give you some helpful tips for taking care of the battery, to ensure that it serves you longer, and gives you more value:

 CHARGING THE BATTERY CORRECTLY

Good starting point is to know that you should only charge your forklift battery once its levels drop to below 25% capacity. When charging the battery, take care not to leave it to overcharge, which can result in overheating, which will damage the battery. As soon as the battery is charged to capacity, be sure to unplug it.

 DON’T USE AN UNDER-CHARGED BATTERY

When your battery is below 25%, be sure to avoid using it if you can since this will cause a drop in the voltage it uses, which contributes greatly to gradual damage being sustained by the battery.

 EQUALISING BATTERY CELLS

You should regularly check to see if your batteries need equalization, by checking to see if any of the cells are flooded or wet. Cells will require equalization about every 5 to 10 charging cycles, so be sure to keep an eye on them.

 BATTERY WATER LEVELS

Similarly, battery water levels, and fluids need to be kept at sustainable levels at all times. So regularly check water levels in cells and top them up only when the battery if fully charged, and ensure that the water has the correct PH level.

 SOURCE BATTERIES FROM THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Lastly, ensure that when you source a battery, you are getting one that offers the reliability and quality you need, so be sure to get them from trusted suppliers. If you would like to know more about sourcing them from our team of suppliers, be sure to contact the Orizen Group for details.

10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Industrial Battery Life

Industrial batteries are playing a crucial role in power up the machines and different industrial bodies. If they are not in proper condition, the operators will face tremendous problems in the future. Investing in batteries needs a heavy amount of money and if their lifecycle doesn’t go for a longer time, they will surely slow down the operation which will lead to loss of money. This is the main reason for which, it would be great to come with proven tips by which, and you can easily improve the battery life.

1. Choose the perfect charger

Chargers mainly charge the batteries and latter the batteries do power the machines. If the charger is not efficient to properly charge up the battery, you can’t get longer operational hours. It will later downgrade battery life. So choose high-frequency battery chargers to meet the changing needs.

2. Test the battery within a certain period of time

Make sure that, you have properly tested the batteries within a certain period of time. Don’t let them down all the time. To automatically maintain that process can install a battery monitoring unit and wirelessly track charging and discharging data hassle-free. If the condition is worse, it would be best to come with a perfect repairing job.

3. Don’t let the batteries to down the charging below 20%

It is a recommendation that you shouldn’t down the batteries below 20%. You shouldn’t drain your batteries to a certain level. Otherwise, it may hurt the operation latter. Deep discharging is not good for battery life.

4. Check the water level constantly

If you are using lead-acid batteries, make sure that, you are maintaining the water level constantly. If it is down from the minimal level, you should fill it immediately. The use of an automatic battery watering system is increasing in these days to avoid the labor cost and man-hours of filling.

5. Avoid opportunity charging 

Most of the industrial operators do connect with a charger while they are on a break. Most of the time, they do use lunch breaks to recharge their batteries. It should be avoided at any cost. It will damage the batteries quickly. If the vehicle mostly used for multi-shift operations, it should use a lithium-ion battery and opportunity charger from a trusted brand to meet the operational needs.

6. Fast charge at your own risk

Some forklift operators to recommend for fast charging. Although it will reduce the downtime it is not always good because it will create excessive heat. In this way the battery life gets downed. Always prefer to use a battery that is specially designed for fast charging and go with the battery manuals carefully before processing.

7. Maintain the battery properly

If you’ll maintain the batteries at the right time, it would be great to increase the battery life. Make sure that, your batteries are being maintained in the proper interval by battery service expert.

8. Use battery management software 

There are software systems are available by which, you can easily know the battery life cycle. This software can be integrated with your batteries and will let you know how to increase the battery life. If you’ll follow their tips, surely you can enjoy a longer battery life compared to others.

9. Always use high-grade industrial batteries

Make sure that, you are not using cheap batteries that are not able to power up your fleet perfectly. Although they are cheap in price, they can’t go any longer. This is the main reason; you should use high-grade industrial batteries in order to go for a longer time. We suggest you use waterless/aqua fewer lithium batteries of any renowned brands. Many battery manufacturers claim that their batteries specially designed to meet the industrial demand; for instance, you can water the battery once in three months and use hassle-free.

10. Keep the batteries cool

If you’ll expose batteries to heat, they will surely downgrade the efficiency of the batteries and not able to go for long. In order to avoid that, you should lower the temperature of the batteries all the time. This is the main reason or which, it would be a great way forward to elevate the battery life.