While we most commonly associate material handling equipment with warehouses and dispatch centers, it’s also essential to the effectiveness and success of building projects. This versatile construction equipment is the foundation of any construction site, ensuring the smooth flow of materials, lowering the need for manual labor, and greatly increasing production.

The Importance of Construction Equipment for Handling Materials

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Knowing the function of material handling construction equipment is crucial for maximizing on-site productivity and guaranteeing a safe working environment, regardless of the type of project or experience level of employees. That said, this article will examine the most essential pieces of construction equipment for material handling and their importance to the general success and safety of building projects.

Essential Material Handling Solutions to Include on Your Construction Site

A Variety of Storage Boxes

To prevent injuries and mishaps and ensure work goes according to schedule, construction sites demand the highest levels of organization and productivity. Storage bins and other building accessories come in useful in this regard. They offer a practical approach to keeping necessities close at hand helping to tidy up the work area and carefully organizing different tools, supplies, and equipment.

Depending on the conditions on the site and what you’re storing you can select from lightweight and small boxes to heavy-duty ones made of steel or aluminum that require the transportation of large machines. If you need them to be mobile, go for ones with reinforced wheels and forklift attachments, and for extra security look for boxes that have locks and reinforced lids.

Practical Bulk Bags

Transporting and storing your bulk building materials can be especially problematic on construction sites. Taking good care of this component is essential if you want to deal with deadlines on time and keep security and safety at the highest level possible.

Bulk materials can be transported, stored, and distributed safely on construction sites thanks to specialized construction bulk bags, commonly referred to as FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers). These robust and long-lasting pieces can help deal with construction debris, gravel, sand, cement, or aggregates.

Look for bulk bags that are dependable and adaptable, ideally with features like lifting loops and straps for simple usage with forklifts and cranes. They are inexpensive, effective, and safe to use, and most importantly, they can help cut waste and free up valuable site areas thanks to their stackable construction.

Storage Racks for Rigging Equipment 

Chains, shackles, clamps, and similar fastening and securing solutions are a common sight where there’s construction work. Being left to lie around haphazardly can cause them to get tangled up and also presents a tripping hazard.

When not in use, a rigging storage rack is an excellent way to store and organize your equipment. It can be used to conveniently hand chains, slings, shackles, hooks, and clamps, preventing damage and loss of your lifting gear.

The standard rigging storage rack features an A-frame construction which ensures stability and allows everything to be placed neatly. It can be raised off the ground by a sturdy base, thus preventing further damage. It can also be moved around thanks to crane lugs and fork pockets. Its Working Load Limit (WLL) of a standard rack is an incredible 1000 kg.

Different Moving and Lifting Construction Equipment

Cranes

When large and heavy pieces need to be lifted and moved from one location to another, crane construction equipment is the perfect tool. You can need a variety of cranes, such as tower cranes for tall buildings or mobile cranes for more adaptable jobs, depending on the requirements of your project.

Forklifts

Every construction site needs forklifts in its construction equipment inventory. These machines are necessary for moving and organizing materials, especially heavy loads and pallets. Just keep in mind that they are heavy and need firm ground or roads to function on. They will not be able to handle rough terrain.

Conveyors

Other machines you can use to move goods over small distances are conveyors. This construction equipment is particularly handy when there is not enough room on the job site for a crane or forklift.

Kibbles for Handling Concrete

These receptacles, also known as concrete buckets, are an essential piece of construction equipment for the operation of any construction site. Whether you need them for pouring concrete or transporting it, their durability and resilience ensure a smooth operation. That said, this kind of construction equipment comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, all of which are made to be as resistant and safe as possible.

Concrete kibbles can be found in both stand-up and laydown configurations, with the most popular choices being 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 3 cubic meters. They can also include a variety of features, such as sliding valves that allow you to control the concrete flow more easily and kibbles that can be manually operated with side levers. The majority of models also have forklift tine sleeves for cranes.

Why Is Material Handling Equipment Important for Building Sites?

After discussing some of the essential types of construction equipment material handling solutions, let us examine why these tools are essential on building sites.

  • A good material handling system helps to speed up construction projects by reducing the amount of time and labor required to move materials. Due to its efficacy, project completion is accelerated and expenses are reduced.
  • Building sites come with many hazards. Material handling equipment ensures worker safety by lowering the risk of accidents related to manual material handling.
  • These solutions make it possible to move large weights with control and accuracy while precisely placing materials – a necessary skill in building. To increase versatility, construction companies can select from a range of material handling equipment types that are appropriate for certain project requirements.
  • Although material handling equipment needs to be operated by competent workers, it frequently eliminates the requirement for a large labor force, which lowers the overall expenses of the project.
  • Construction projects can use a variety of materials ranging from delicate glass panels to sturdy steel beams. Material handling equipment that may be customized to handle certain materials makes transportation safer and more efficient.
  • Because of their adaptability, material handling solutions are essential in a variety of construction settings. You can choose from customised solutions that can adjust to the terrain and environment which is especially important for remote and congested building sites.

In essence, material handling equipment not only accelerates construction projects and safeguards workers but also epitomizes adaptability and innovation, serving as an indispensable asset in the dynamic realm of construction.

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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.