Marc DigitalParc, Author at DJ Products

Celebrate Your Independence Today from Hostlers to Move Your Semi Trailers

Celebrate the Benefits of a Trailer Dolly

Waiting for hostlers to move semi trailers around can take up a lot of time. Relying on manual labor to pull or push trailers from one place to another also increases the risk of accidents. Investing in a motorized trailer dolly offers the ideal solution, so you won’t have to depend on hostlers anymore.

What Is an Electric Trailer Dolly?

This type of trailer dolly has a motor that makes it easier to push or pull heavy equipment and vehicles around. These electric trailer dollies can be charged up to provide a full day’s labor. They also provide a more efficient way to move large items from place to place.

Who Should Use Them?

Any business that involves moving oversized vehicles, tons of equipment, or other heavy loads around can benefit from using these trailer dollies. This includes distribution centers, cargo trailer dealerships, RV dealerships, warehouses, and fulfillment centers. These trailer dollies are also ideal for boat dealerships, garages, and production assembly lines.

What Features Do They Have?

Electric trailer dollies from DJ Products have a variable speed handlebar twist grip, This makes it easier to operators to start up these dollies and move trailers around on hazardous surfaces. In fact, they allow smooth maneuvering on icy surfaces and steep inclines. Other features include convenient charging options to ensure that they’re always ready for use. These trailer dollies plug into 120-volt outlets. They also feature automatic safety brakes to help keep operators safe and lower the risk of accidents.

What Benefits Do They Offer?

Motorized trailer dollies offer enhanced safety, better maneuvering, and greater efficiency. Businesses don’t have to use hostlers to get heavy trailers moved to other locations. Instead, they can use these dollies on nearly any type of surface. These trailers can also handle moving around in tighter spaces due to their improved maneuverability.

What Types Are Available?

We have eight trailer dolly models to choose from. These models can be adapted to fit different trailer hitches, including king pin and gooseneck.

If you need help selecting the right motorized dolly for your business, contact DJ Products. Our experts can help you choose the best one to fit your needs.

Safety Tips for Operating Electric Tugs and Dollies

Improve Safety with an Electric Trailer Dolly

Our Trailer Dolly is so efficient and easy to use that workers may start to take it for granted. Keep your workplace accident-free by sharing these safety tips for operating electric tugs and dollies from our Sales Engineers.

- Before operating an electric mover, conduct an inspection to make sure everything’s in working order. Does anything look off-kilter? Are all parts moving as they should? If anything even seems questionable, always err on the side of caution and report the possible malfunction to a supervisor.
- Whenever possible, face the direction of travel when operating a mover. If you do need to walk backwards, do an initial check to make sure the path is clear. Look periodically to avoid any sudden obstacles. Installing mirrors can help monitor blind spots.
- Keep all body parts, especially feet and ankles, clear of the mover. In case of emergency, don’t try to use your body to stop the mover. Engage the safety stop switch.
- Our Trailer Dolly and other movers are designed to maneuver well around corners and in tight spaces, but use caution when going up or down a ramp or incline.
- Make sure all aisles are free of pallets, cartons, trash and other obstructions.
- Create clearly delineated pedestrian walkways to keep foot traffic out of the way of movers. Our movers have optional safety lights and light poles to increase visibility.
- Keep floors well-maintained. Clean up spills promptly and repair cracks, bumps, holes and other hazards.
- Ensure all new employees are fully trained in operating electric tugs, pushers and movers. Conduct ongoing refresher sessions to help workers incorporate safety awareness in their everyday activities.
- Establish a regular maintenance schedule for material handling equipment to keep movers in good shape and catch problems early.

Make Workplace Safety a Priority with the Trailer Dolly

Do you have a goal to reduce workplace injuries? Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers do all the heavy lifting, so a single worker can transport loads weighing thousands of pounds with ease. They’re also ergonomically designed to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive-motion injuries.

5 Tips to Make Your Material Handling Operation Safer

Improve Material Handling Safety

From lifting heavy items to pushing large loads, material handling can put employees at a high risk of being injured. These workplace injuries can cost your business significant money in terms of decreased productivity and workers’ compensation. Making the following changes in your workplace can help reduce material handling risks, while also boosting employee morale.

Invest in Safer Equipment

Using forklifts and similar types of equipment to pull or lift loads comes with an increased chance of accidents and injuries. A motorized trailer dolly can handle these loads safely and with greater efficiency. This helps protect your employees from potentially serious injuries in the workplace.

Provide PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of keeping your staff from injuries. Gloves, eye protection, and other kinds of PPE can greatly reduce the risk of injuries as employees handle material handling tasks. Make sure your employees know how to correctly wear and use PPE on the job.

Reduce Ergonomic-Related Risks

Having to do repetitive lifting or carrying heavy items can lead to physical fatigue and a higher risk of injuries in your material handling operation. Take time to identify these risks, so you can implement measures to reduce the risk of injuries.

Encourage Employees to Report Fatigue

Employees can develop high levels of fatigue on the job due to the physical strain of material handling tasks. Over time, this fatigue can raise their risk of ending up with musculoskeletal problems and serious injuries. Provide a way for employees to report fatigue and encourage them to do so. You can then ensure that fatigued employees have a chance to rest and recover.

Minimize Vibration and Noise

Vibration and noise in a material handling environment can increase the risk of fatigue and injuries. They can also serve as distractions for employees, which also raises the risk of accidents. Use equipment that helps keep vibration and noise to a minimum, such as softer wheels, in order to protect employees from workplace injuries.

If you need a trailer dolly to make your material handling operation safer, please contact DJ Products. Our team can provide you with the perfect solution for improving workplace safety.

Top 5 Warehousing Trends in 2023

Warehousing of the Future

What does the crystal ball reveal about this year’s developments in the warehousing industry? Our experts at DJ Products, makers of the electric Trailer Dolly, share some insights about the top five warehousing trends taking shape in 2023.

1. Automation

Automation of warehouse processes improves workplace safety while also reducing the possibility of human error.

- Amazon and UPS are two of the companies that have begun to incorporate drones in their delivery services. Ware, supplier of automated inventory systems, offers autonomous drones that fly inside warehouses, using 2D scanners and stored location data to map a digital “twin” of the facility.

- Peer Robotics has developed mobile robots with sensing technologies to collaborate with human workers.

2. Wearables

Digital wearables enable workers to utilize high-tech tools without the need to carry them around.

- Ox, a US-based startup, has smart glasses fitted with scanners and real-time messaging systems to maximize pick routing and communication between workers.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

Much like it does in your home, the Internet of Things uses technology to automate and simplify functions such as climate control and lighting.

- Track inventory and personnel with an IoT beacon from ScratchNest, which sends signals to smart phones and tablets via Bluetooth. The beacon also has extended battery life for better performance.

4. Sustainability

Companies continue to search for ways to minimize their carbon footprint and reduce their impact on the environment.

- Leave petroleum-based pallet wraps behind with innovative solutions from Australia’s Great Wraps. Their innovative wraps are made from converted food waste, which decomposes into carbon and water for toxic-free disposal.

5. Fleet Management

Forklifts are involved in a high number of warehouse accidents, causing significant injuries and damage. Telematics solutions allow for safe and effective interaction between workers and equipment.

- Onyx, a telematics system from GemOne, collects data on its proprietary hardware system and stores information on a cloud platform for easy retrieval.

Improve Productivity and Safety with the Trailer Dolly

Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are eco-friendly solutions for your material handling needs. Contact us at 800.686.2651 or use our convenient online chat feature to learn more from our friendly and helpful Sales Engineers.

Top Warehouse Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Warehouse Safety Can Be Improved With a Trailer Dolly

Warehouses can put workers at risk of being injured in several ways. Knowing more about some of the more common warehouse injuries can help warehouse owners take steps to prevent them from happening. From using a motorized trailer dolly instead of a forklift to making sure workers use protective equipment, keep the following in mind to improve warehouse safety.

Forklift Injuries

These industrial trucks are used to move pallets and other objects around warehouses and distribution centers. Forklift accidents and injuries can occur if these vehicles are operated incorrectly or when warehouse environments are set up in an unsafe way. Ensuring proper training for forklift operators, clearing obstructions in warehouses, and switching to trailer dollies are all ways to lower the risk of having forklift injuries occur. Keep in mind that forklift injuries can occur inside warehouses or on loading docks.

Slips and Falls

Warehouse workers can become seriously injured from falling on slippery floors or falling from heights. This can lead to fractures, head injuries, and other severe injuries. Having workers use protective equipment, marking slippery surfaces with signs, and making sure workers use ladders safely can help prevent fall injuries in warehouses.

Overexertion Injuries

Workers in a warehouse environment might put too much strain on their muscles and other parts of their body while lifting or moving items around. This can result in torn or strained muscles, injuries to connective tissue, sprains, and other injuries. Workers should know how to properly lift and carry objects around in order to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries.

Falling Objects

Having items stacked in an unsafe manner, such as being too high and unstable, can cause them to fall from shelves or other areas. This can lead to neck and head injuries if objects, especially heavy items, land on workers. Making sure products are stored and stacked as safely as possible can help prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring.

Looking for the right trailer dolly for your warehouse? Contact DJ Products to learn more about our products. We can assist you in finding the best motorized dolly to help keep workers safe on the job.

Three of The Most Common Warehouse Injuries

Common Workplace Injuries

Based on statistics, industry experts estimate that five percent of warehouse workers will suffer a workplace injury each year. Use our electric Trailer Dolly and other proactive methods to cut down on these three common warehouse injuries.

1. Forklift

Not surprisingly, forklifts are involved in a significant number of workplace injuries. Based on data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), each forklift in your facility has a 10 percent chance of being involved in an accident this year. In addition, nearly 80 percent of forklift accidents include pedestrians.

2. Overexertion

The physical nature of warehouse work puts a great deal of stress on a worker’s body. Nearly two-thirds of these injuries affect the back, but arms and legs are also vulnerable. In some cases, overexertion can lead to heart attacks. These types of injuries are especially costly to you and your workers because they can result in chronic pain that affects work performance and quality of life.

Poor body mechanics are a leading cause of stress injuries, so training in the correct methods can go a long way toward reducing the risk. Make sure that workers are both fully trained and physically capable of performing any tasks they are assigned.

3. Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips occur when obstacles on the warehouse floor or outside grounds cause a worker to lose balance. Frequent risk factors include:

- Uneven walking surfaces
- Loose rugs or protective mats
- Exposed cords and cables
- Spilled water or other liquid materials
- Ice and snow in the truck yard

While falls can happen on ground level, they most often occur at elevated levels. Loading docks and ladders are common sites of falling accidents. One potentially dangerous practice involves workers using a forklift to raise themselves up to the higher shelves. This move is risky, even for experienced employees.

Improve Workplace Safety with the Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Our Trailer Dolly and other material handling solutions are ergonomically designed to reduce the musculoskeletal stress caused by many warehouse task. Visit our website and use the handy online chat feature to learn more from our friendly Sales Engineers.

Common Risks of The Trailer Yard and How a Trailer Dolly Can Help

Trailer Yard Management Made Easier

Your trailer yard may not handle traditional road traffic, but there’s still a significant risk of injury to workers and damage to products and equipment. An electric Trailer Dolly from DJ Products can help improve safety by minimizing or eliminating some of the common risk factors found in trailer yards.

1. Poor maintenance

Although yard tractors rarely leave the yard, they’re still designed for legal on-road use. This means they include a number of controls and gauges that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Our Trailer Dollies are battery-powered, eliminating the costly expense of fuel and corresponding systems. There’s also no need to worry about cab-tilt systems, transmissions, and other intricate features.

2. Pedestrian safety

As road-legal vehicles, yard tractors must be operated by qualified workers who hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, both driver and vehicle are subject to all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

If no licensed driver is available, your yard activities can come to a screeching halt. Even trained drivers have to navigate a number of difficulties, such as poor sight lines and narrow clearances, in order to avoid injuring pedestrians.

No special licensing is required to operate a Trailer Dolly. Any worker, regardless of size, can become fully operational with a minimum of training. Our tugs are also compact enough to easily negotiate sharp corners and tight clearances.

3. Driver injuries

Some of your workers have undoubtedly suffered injuries associated with operating yard tractors. Common injuries include slips and falls while entering or exiting the tractor and catching hands in pinch points.

Workers simply walk behind or in front of Trailer Dollies, so there’s no chance of falling out of a cab. These movers are ergonomically designed to reduce the strain that often leads to repetitive motion injuries.

Protect Workers with a Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

A demonstrated concern for employee welfare provides a boost in worker morale, leading to greater productivity. Contact us at 800.686.2651 and let one of our friendly Sales Engineers help you find the right material handling solution for your specific application.

Top 10 Forklift Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Catastrophe Part 2

Safety Tips for Heavy Machinery

When you rely on forklifts in your warehouse, ensuring safe usage is essential. Switching to a trailer dolly instead helps reduce the risk of accidents. The following safety tips for operating forklifts can also protect against injuries and accidents.

Attachment Accidents

Forklifts have attachments that serve different purposes. Attaching these components or using them incorrectly can result in serious accidents. Forklift attachments also need to be maintained regularly to lower the risk of damage that can lead to accidents. Proper training, regular inspections, and routine maintenance can help ensure that forklift attachments are safely used.

Fuel Hazards

Forklifts typically require propane, diesel, or other chemicals to keep them charged and ready for use. Some of these chemicals are highly flammable, which increases the risk of warehouse fires. In some cases, explosions can also occur. Maintain a safe fueling area and ensure all chemicals are properly disposed of. Make sure staff know never to smoke in these areas.

Seatbelt Problems

Forklift operators need to have seatbelts or other harnesses that keep them secure while they drive around. A loose seatbelt or one that doesn’t work properly puts operators at a higher risk of injuries and accidents. Ensure all seatbelts and other harnesses are kept in good working condition.

Forklift Blind Spots

Blind spots in warehouses put forklift operators and pedestrians at greater risk of injuries and accidents. Forklift operators should put this equipment in reverse instead of driving forward when moving large loads that obstruct their views. Reducing accidents involves making sure pedestrians stay out of blind spots, keeping areas clear for operators, and ensuring that they know how to drive forklifts in reverse.

Low Ceilings

Operating a forklift in an area with low ceilings or other overhead obstructions can lead to accidents. Forklift equipment or the load being carried might be damaged in these areas. Ceilings should have markings that help forklift operators determine where they can and cannot go. Each operator should know the size of the forklift they’re using in order to avoid going into these areas.

If you’re interested in purchasing a trailer dolly to help improve safety in your warehouse, contact DJ Products.

Top 10 Forklift Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Catastrophe Part 1

Heavy Machinery Safety Tips

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), as many as 62,000 injuries occur annually as a result of forklift mishaps. With each injury that receives medical attention costing an average of $188,00 in expenses and lost productivity, the impact on a business is clear.

How can you help workers avoid these costly incidents? DJ Products, makers of the electric Trailer Dolly, shares expert tips on recognizing and preventing forklift hazards.

1. Blind spots

Just as with any motorized vehicle, forklifts have blind spots where pedestrians and other obstacles are hidden from the operator’s view.

- Make sure employees keep a wide berth when forklifts are in motion.
- Ensure that forklift operators are trained in driving backwards, in case a load is too bulky for them to see over.

2. Improper maintenance

Don’t wait until a forklift is malfunctioning. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

3. Surface conditions

Ground obstructions, no matter how minor, can cause forklifts to veer off-course or even tip over.

- Ensure that warehouse aisles are free of pallets, debris and other obstacles that may interfere with a forklift. Clean spills promptly and clearly mark any trouble areas.
- Check warehouse floors regularly for bumps, holes and other surface irregularities and repair them immediately.

4. Overhead obstructions

Due to the nature of how a forklift operates, clear ceilings are just as important as clear floors.

- Are there any warehouse areas, such as aisles or doorways, that don’t have enough clearance to allow safe passage? Be sure that heights are visibly marked.
- If any objects are suspended from the ceiling, remove them if possible or mark their location.

5. Speed

The average weight of a forklift is 9,000 pounds, so it doesn’t have to be going fast to cause significant damage in a collision.

- Enforce safe speed limits and consider designating a lookout person so the operator is fully aware of the surroundings.
- Create a pedestrians-only zone.

Trailer Dolly and Other Material Handling Solutions from DJ Products

Our battery-powered Trailer Dolly is one of our full line of pushers, movers and tugs that help to improve warehouse safety. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more.

OSHA’s Essential Safety Tips for Forklifts and Powered Industrial Movers

OSHA’s Top Safety Tips

Powered industrial movers, like our electric Trailer Dolly, help warehouse workers perform necessary work tasks safely and efficiently. What else can you do to reduce injury risk? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers some great safety tips you can implement in your workplace.

Storage and Handling

- Conduct regular inspection of shelves and racks, looking for areas of weakness. Any damaged areas should be isolated immediately until they can be repaired.
- Store heavier loads on lower shelves and racks. Make sure maximum load capacities are observed without exception.
- Stack loose and unboxed materials carefully to prevent falling.
- Don’t allow stored materials to extend past the edge of shelves, creating possible obstructions to workers and material handling equipment.
- Install rack upright guards to protect from accidental forklift contact.
- Perform ongoing maintenance to keep warehouse aisles free of cases, pallets and other obstructions.

Conveyors

- Have a regular inspection schedule so problem areas are discovered promptly.
- Install adequate safeguards on all pinch points. Make sure lighting is sufficient and work surfaces are level.
- Have procedures in place to lock conveyors out in case of accidents or malfunctions. Train all employees on what to do during an emergency.

Material Handling Equipment

- Perform all scheduled inspections and maintenance on pallet jacks and forklifts to ensure proper performance.
- Make sure all areas where material handling equipment is used are clearly marked. Mark boundaries for proper clearance.
- Keep elevators and hoists free of obstructions. Install appropriate signals and directional warning signs.
- Instruct workers to keep aisles clear of stray boxes, trash and other obstructions.
- Keep floors clean and well-maintained. Repair any ruts, bumps, holes or other hazards that cause workers to use excessive force in transporting materials. These damages can also result in vibrations and shocks when using driven equipment.

The Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Our eco-friendly Trailer Dolly is battery-powered, eliminating the time and money spent on maintenance for gas-powered industrial movers. DJ Products offers a full line of electric movers, pushers and tugs for any application. Contact us and let our Sales Engineers help you find the solution that’s right for your business.