Safety: Built to Last
Built to last…it’s a phrase that has been used to describe so many things, from companies to all kinds of products. We take pride in the fact that we build our safety gate systems to last for years - they are durable, ergonomic and provide a safe environment for users. The systems require very little lifetime maintenance.
The concept of built to last really hit home for us over the last few weeks. We heard from two customers that have had our gates in their facilities, each for over 15 years. One company was looking to replace a single part of their safety gate; a roller that had been worn out over years of use. The other company invited us in to take a look at their gates to ensure they were working properly since nobody had serviced the gate over all those years, and also to review additional areas that needed to be secured. We loved seeing the safety gates in action - even our older models are working well after many years, providing fall protection day after day. And it was enjoyable to take a trip down memory lane remembering how we built certain components back then and how we have improved on them today.
We tried to think about what products we have in our office, and even homes, that were over 15 years and still working well. Computers and phone systems have a fairly short shelf life these days - our rack systems and some of our equipment have been in use for about 15 years, but it’s not many pieces.
Every one of our pallet drop safety gate models is constructed from square tubular steel - either powder-coated mild or electro-polished stainless. The rugged steel construction ensures that the safety gate can be used in any environment and can hold up through daily use even when encountering the lift truck.
Over the years we’ve also made enhancements to our gate designs. In today’s models, we provide impact plates on posts to minimize the damage the impact of a lift truck while it’s loading or unloading pallets to that area. We replaced the original cable drive system with a the heavy-duty chain and sprocket design that now features chain guards with a proprietary locking mechanism that locks the chain in place. We eliminated standard garage door components and now fabricate a rugged welded track system with rounded dull edges to create a smooth, ergonomic transition when the gates are in use.
All of these factors play into the longevity of our safety gate models. They apply to all of our models, whether they are standard or custom designs. Our goal is to provide the best safety gate systems that can provide fall protection years into the future.
The longevity of the gates is something to keep in mind when looking for a safety gate for your facility. What may appear to be the cheapest design may end up being the most expensive if the device falls apart after a love-tap from the lift truck. Instead, look for something well constructed, and talk to people who have installed the gates themselves. And if you hear from someone who has had a dual-gate system for over 15 years, then you know it was supplied by us.