loading equipment
Truck loading with loading aids and goods
In logistics, loading equipment or loading aids (LHM) form the loading units for further transport. These include, for example, pallets, containers and lattice boxes as well as tanks. The loading aids play a crucial role for freight forwarders and companies in the areas of logistics, production and services in carrying out their everyday tasks.
Table of contents
definition
A loading aid is a product that is used in the handling of goods for transport or storage . They help to combine the individual goods to be transported into larger and connected transport and storage units. The transport is carried out using low-lift trucks , high-lift trucks and forklifts . Loading aids are often stored in pallet racks and high-bay rack systems .
Other names for loading aids are storage aids, loading equipment, conveying aids or transport aids.
Loading aids include Euro pallets , disposable pallets , containers, lattice boxes, big packs and containers for liquids.
types of loading equipment
In practice, companies use a wide variety of loading aids . They transport cargo safely, ensure space-saving storage and optimal material flow.
pallets
Small items such as cardboard boxes can be easily grouped together on pallets. Ideally, the boxes and other packaging are designed so that the items can be arranged and stacked on the pallet with optimum use of space. Packaging materials such as lashing straps or stretch film are used to combine the items safely and stably into a loading unit.
In addition to boxes, barrels and bagged goods are also suitable for stacking on pallets. For further security, the loading staff uses additional aids such as edge protectors or lashing materials.
Pallets are among the conveying aids with a supporting function.
lattice boxes
Gitterboxes offer special protection for the goods being transported. They are made of metal and are extremely robust. This makes them suitable for transporting sensitive goods.
Gitterboxes and the following containers belong to the storage aids with an enclosing or closing function.
ISO container
These are standardized large-capacity containers. They are suitable for loading, transporting, storing and unloading a wide variety of goods. Classic sea freight containers are ISO containers.
bulk container
Bulk containers can be used like standard containers. They also offer the option of holding bulk goods by filling them with hoses through openings on the top. It is also possible to store bags loosely.
Others
Other loading aids include big packs for loading bulk goods as well as tanks of different shapes and sizes for the transport and storage of liquids.
Advantages and disadvantages
The challenge in logistics is that many manufactured goods are too small for transport, their packaging is unsuitable or they are too expensive to ship individually. Loading aids solve this problem by combining several small-format goods into a larger loading unit .
However, each loading aid is only suitable for a specific type of goods. For example, lattice boxes protect the goods very well and offer excellent stackability, but they cannot accommodate bulk goods. The company therefore has to use different loading aids for different goods. This makes logistics more complicated, especially for companies that produce many different goods.
Security
Load securing of loading equipment on trucks
For transport on the road and other means of transport, it is crucial that the sender securely bundles the goods , for example using tensioning straps . This includes ensuring that no goods fall off the truck and that there is no safety risk for other road users.
Loading personnel and drivers must therefore have sufficient knowledge to select and use loading equipment correctly. The specifications contained in various laws, guidelines and regulations are crucial here. These include the following:
- § 22 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO)
- Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO)
- Machinery Ordinance
- VDI guideline 2700
- professional association regulations (BGV)
- VDI Guideline 2700 Part 6 and VDI 3968 (safe methods of consolidating general cargo)
- Occupational Association Rule (BGR) 234 (Information on the use of conveyors and storage aids)
- European DIN standards (DIN EN) for quality, properties and resilience
