In the eighties, companies realized that costs could be saved by replacing pallets into slip sheets for loading and unloading containers. They started to develop a forklift which they could use to load goods on a slip sheet. One of the companies that has put a lot of effort in the transfer of pallet load into slipsheets was Cascade. Cascade is a main manufacturer of forklift attachments and the Cascade attachment is still very popular and commonly used as container loader equipment. Besides Cascade, many others attachment manufacturers developed a push-pull accessory system during the years. But owing to the high investment costs that have to be done, many companies who consider using a push-pull keep putting off the decision to replace their pallets by slip-sheets and still have not started palletless handling. Companies who wants to change to pallet less handling, needs also to realize that the receiver of his goods is being forced to make big investments as well.
Whilst the application of slip-sheets has been a success in many applications, the hydraulic attachment required, the push-pull, is expensive and heavy. It even makes some of the potential advantages undone. Therefore MSE-Forks introduced the RollerForks. These forks make palletless transport possible and offer, in comparison to the push-pulls, the following unparalleled advantages:
- Lower investment costs for sender and receiver.
- Improves operating speed.
- RollerForks weigh little more than ordinary forks allowing a smaller lift truck to be used.
- No hydraulic connection needed.
- Applicable to light weight electric stackers.
- No loss of visibility.
- Little maintenance is needed because no hydraulics and lubrication points are applied.
- Takes less energy because the handling movement are reduced compared to push-pull.
- RollerForks can also be used for lifting standard pallets.
Companies that invest in palletless handling for the first time will also find that the benefits extend to the receivers of their slip-sheeted products. The much lower start-up costs associated with the RollerForks will mean that more customers will accept their introduction and implement similar handling systems.