Regulations aren’t the most exciting part about buying and operating a forklift truck, but with most heavy machinery, you will need a licence to operate one. So, it’s important that you understand exactly what kind of licence you will need.
There are two primary types of forklift licence issued in Australia, the LF Class and the LO Class. If you are not certain which class of licence you need to operate the forklifts in your fleet – or whether you need one at all – then we’ve got a guide that can help you to understand the requirements better.
As well as the question of licensing for walkie stackers, you will also gain a greater understanding of:
- What walkie stackers are
- What they’re used for
- The benefits of using them
- The different kinds of walkie stackers you can buy
When operating any machinery, it’s important that you and your employees are aware of all the regulations regarding that equipment, and that they are fully trained to use it in a safe and efficient manner. Certain licensing is required to operate a forklift truck, but does this apply to less heavy-duty handling equipment such as the walkie stacker?
What licences do you need to operate forklifts in Australia?
Before you can operate a forklift in Australia, you need to make sure you have the correct and up to date licencing. Before you can obtain a forklift licence, you need to be 18 years of age or older, have a solid understanding of the basics of the English language, including non-verbal communication, and be able to provide identification such as a passport or driving licence.
There are two primary types of forklift licence:
LF Class – Forklift truck licence
This is the primary licence type needed to operate a forklift, including counterbalance and reach forklift trucks. This covers all types of forklift other than order picking forklifts.
LO Class – Order picking forklift truck licence
This type of licence is specific to order picking forklifts, including turret trucks. Order picking forklifts are those which require the operator to be seated at an elevated height.
The licence class depends on the type of equipment you operate and the way the operator uses it. An LF high-risk work licence covers forklift trucks other than order-picking forklift trucks, while the separate LO class applies to order-picking forklift trucks. When you are checking the LF walkie stacker licence requirements, check that the specific model is compliant.
A pedestrian-operated walkie stacker and equipment designed for the operator to ride on are different operating configurations, so establish exactly what your machine is before applying the licensing requirements. (96 WORDS)
Operating a Walkie Stacker in Australia
Enforcer 1.4T Walkie Reach Stacker (WSBPPE14)
A walkie stacker is a pallet truck with which the operator walks behind. They are suitable for order picking in warehouses and retail stores, and other tasks such as pallet handling and stacking. They are the ideal solution for smaller loads in workplaces where a full forklift truck is not required or too bulky. Walkie stackers have average load capacities of up to 2 tonnes.
For a pedestrian-operated walkie stacker, where you walk behind the machine rather than ride on it, an LF high-risk work licence, also called a pedestrian forklift licence, is not required. However a ride on walkie stacker does require a forklift licence.
Why choose a Walkie Stacker?
Walkie stackers can serve as a great alternative to forklifts in a number of situations, particularly for storerooms or smaller warehouses where material handling needs are less demanding.
Understanding your operation and environment can help determine if you need a walkie stacker. Start with the weight you need to lift and the height at which pallets need to be placed, then account for aisle space and the distance the machine will travel during a shift.
Pedestrian equipment is well suited to applications where the operator works close to the load and travel up to a medium distance. If you need to travel further, loads become more frequent or capacity changes, a different material-handling configuration may be better.
Walkie stackers are also a more cost-effective solution for a company’s material handling needs. They’re cheaper to buy than other equipment of this type, and with a choice between manual and electric walkie stackers, you can also benefit from lower running costs as fuel is not required to run these units. As with all electric forklift equipment, this means less noise and air pollution.
Walkie stackers are less bulky than forklift trucks, which makes them highly manoeuvrable and perfect for the small and narrow areas that are typical of storerooms and small warehouses. The compact chassis of walkie stackers also means that they are easy to operate and provide high visibility for the operator.
The different types of Walkie Stackers
There are different types of walkie stackers, and the best one for your operation depends onthe pallet, racking and access involved in the job. Fork Force has standard, straddle and reach configurations available, with each design changing the way the machine approaches or positions a load. The right configuration for your operations depends on the work you need it to perform, rather than choosing a walkie stacker by capacity alone.
Standard walkie stacker
Enforcer Economy 1.5T Walkie Stacker
The most basic form of electric walkie stackers distributes the load it bears with the help of legs beneath the forks. This equipment is ideal for pallet stacking and transformation, and it is the most compact unit available, giving it a tight turning circle that’s perfect for operation in tight spaces. A range of standard walkie stackers are available at Fork Force from Enforcer, Crown, Sumi, Linde, and BT.
Walkie straddle stacker
Enforcer 1.5 Ton Electric Walkie Stacker
Walkie straddle stackers are the most commonly used walkie stackers in Australia. The straddle legs allow the unit to get closer to the pallet when loading and unloading, providing the perfect solution for small spaces. You’ll find many used straddle stackers available for sale or hire at Fork Force, such as Enforcer.
Walkie reach stacker
Enforcer 1.4T Walkie Reach Stacker (WSBPPE14)
This type of walker stacker has the added benefit of being able to extend its mast forward to the load, making it easier to reach it. This is a useful feature for applications such as loading and unloading trucks, for example. We have a range of electric walkie reach stackers available to buy and hire, including this brand new Enforcer Battery Electric Reach Stacker that holds up to 2000kg.
Walkie Stacker Training
Operating a pedestrian walkie stacker without an LF licence still requires the operator to know how to use the equipment safely. Walkie stacker training needs to cover the machine being used and the work being performed, including its controls, load handling and stacking procedures, safe travel and interaction with pedestrians or other mobile plant.
Training should give the operator supervised experience moving, lifting and placing loads under the conditions they will encounter in the workplace.
Safe Work Australia requires a person conducting a business or undertaking to provide the information, training, instruction or supervision necessary to protect people from risks arising from work.
Get in touch with the team at Fork Force to find out more about the new walkie stackers and walkie reach stackers we have. Call Fork Force on 1300 467 935.