Crown Handles Large and Heavy Loads in Narrow Aisles

Live to Play Sports, a Canada-based distributor of premium bicycles, parts and accessories, needed help to capitalize on the narrow aisle design of its new warehouse. Crown Equipment helped improve operator confidence, stability and productivity for lifting and picking large and heavy loads in narrow aisles.

As the company grew, Live to Play configured its newest warehouse space with narrow aisles and 32-foot tall racks to make the most of every square foot of the facility. This design not only put a premium on lift truck maneuverability and lift height, it also created concerns for operator safety and overall comfort. According to Martin McDonald, operations manager, Live to Play Sports Group, the company’s eight Crown SP Series stockpickers do a great job of capitalizing on the new warehouses capabilities and potential.

“When we went to the new taller racks and narrower aisles, we knew our previous equipment just wouldn’t work out, and that led us to Crown Equipment,” said McDonald. “The Crown SP Series handled our increased activity while providing ergonomic and safety features that help ensure our operators remain both safe and productive. It is a solid stable lift truck on the floor and also at whatever height we choose. The four points of solid contact with the trucks, including having both feet on the floor in a comfortable position, one hand firmly grasping the steering tiller and the other hand on the control handle, gives our operators the confidence they need for the application.”

Live to Play has also been pleased with the versatility of the Crown SC 5200 Series counterbalanced forklifts they purchased for their facility.

“With our 32-foot ceilings and narrow aisle, we needed a lift truck that not only could get products to the upper levels, but could also maneuver anywhere in the warehouse and help to load and unload the trailers,” said McDonald. “The Crown SC 5200 gets the job done. And it’s like operating a luxury car. We still have a competitor’s lift truck in the warehouse, but the Crown SC 5200 is always the first one our operators pick.”