Wheelie bins are the most useful yet the most overlooked piece of waste-handling equipment that has widespread use. Like anything else with widespread use, wheelie bins come in all sorts of designs and sizes which is why there are different ways of handling them. Some can be done by hand, others require the use of wheelie bin lifters or tippers.
With this type of solution, you can easily lift and tip over a bin of any size as long as its dimensions are able to handle the size of the wheelie bin. Wheelie bin lifters aren't always required but when you do need them it's because of some important benefits.
Advantages of Using a Bin Tipper
Safe
The main advantage of using a bin tipper is the safety level it offers when it comes to handling heavy loads. That's because you don't have to handle the loads yourself, just strap them in and operate the attachment with your forklift. The risk of injuries is a lot lower with new wheelie bin tippers.
Efficient
Instead of spending time and effort on tipping a wheelie bin yourself doing so with a tipper is going to make for a more efficient workflow. There is a lot less downtime this way and you can focus on what matters the most – getting your job done on time.
Versatile
As long as the lifter is wide enough and with the right attachment points then you can rest assured that you'll be able to use it with most types of wheelie bins. First, you need to know the size of the wheelie bins you have and compare that with the opening of the lifter so that you know it can be used without any issues.
Types of Bin Tippers
Self-Tipping
With self-tipping crane bin tippers you get a solution that has a built-in hinge but so needs to have the bin in order for it to work with this type of solution. These types of tippers are commonly used in commercial waste bin applications like dump trucks. With the help of chains attached to the mast, the bin stays on the forklift while it's being tipped over.
Rotating
A more versatile and chain-less solution is a rotating bin lifter. This type of lifter is a hydraulic solution that is able to spin around in order to empty the contents of a bin. There is another version of a rotating wheelie bin lifter for sale which makes use of chains but it's not as powerful or as easy to use as its more advanced counterpart.
Drop-Bottom
Something that's a lot simpler than both self-tipping and rotating bin lifters is a drop-bottom lifter. With it, you have a trap door of sorts that opens up by releasing the chains holding it. Nothing goes without chains but at least emptying the bin no matter how large, is quite effective.
What to Consider
Use
One of the most important, if not the most important factors of wheelie bin tippers is their use. What are you going to use it for is the ultimate question that will give you the answer to every other factor. The type of wheelie bin lifter for sale you'll go for depends on the type of waste you'll be handling as well as the bins used for the waste and the area in which they are located. Is there enough space for manoeuvrability? Are the bins of adequate size and does the waste stain?
Specs
The most important spec you should focus on is the amount of weight the lifter can handle. This involves the total weight of the bin together with its load-handling capacity. Most lifters can handle around 1000 kg which is enough for most applications but that may be different for you. Most lifters also weigh anywhere between 155 kg and 200 kg. Anything heavier than that is going to be able to handle heavier loads but it will also cost you more. Make sure that the forklift is able to accommodate the weight of the lifter, the bin as well as what's in it.
Mechanism
The versatility of bin lifters depends on their mechanism and those with an open mechanism are not the most versatile. While they can still be used with a large number of different bins they are not able to accommodate more specific dimensions. When it comes to them, you should go for a bin tipper that's able to accommodate certain modifications that allow it to be fitted on different forklifts and thus to be used with different-sized bins.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best and with wheelie bin lifters that's exactly what you get, a simple attachment that can make your forklift more useful without having to spend on a different type of machinery just for this one operation. Bin tippers are definitely a cost-effective solution to today's modern-day issues.
