Overhead Cranes: How They Can Increase Your Warehouse’s Efficiency

Posted on: 26 January 2015

Renting a storage unit is good for more than just having a place to temporarily hold items while you move house, or for clearing out some space in your home garage. If you own a business, a storage unit can be a safe, secure place to hold surplus machines, tools, and computer equipment that you don't have room to store in your place of business. Of course, you want to be careful when storing these items so that when you do need them again, they'll be in the same condition that they were in when you stored them. Here are some tips that can help you protect your surplus equipment when you store it.

Tools

For hand tools, preventing rust is going to be one of your biggest challenges. One of the most important things that you can do is choose climate controlled storage. A stable temperature and low humidity is important for all the equipment you'll need to store. For your tools, the low humidity will help to prevent rust. You may also want to store your hand tools with something that absorbs moisture and prevents oxidation. Blackboard chalk, charcoal, silica gel, and moth balls can all help prevent your tools from rusting.

You can use the same techniques to help keep your power tools from rusting. However, power tools will need a little more work before you put them in storage. Clean each tool and remove any accessories. Check the spark plugs in your tools and replace any plugs that have developed a lot of carbon buildup. Finally, drain the fuel from your tool's tank before storing it.

Large Machines

When preparing to store a large machine, you'll follow a routine similar to the one that you need to follow to store a power tool. The machine should be cleaned, the spark plugs should be changed, and the fuel should be drained if possible. If it's too difficult to drain the fuel from your large machine, you may be able to simply add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. However, you should never store your machine if you use E15 fuel in the tank. E15 fuel is higher in ethanol than other fuels, and it can form a thick sludge that can harm your engine if it's allowed to sit for too long. Play it safe and make sure that you drain any E15 fuel before storing.

If your large machine contains a battery, you should remove it before storage, especially if you're going t be storing it over the winter. Extreme cold tends to take a toll on batteries. Charge the battery and then keep it in a place where it can stay at room temperature.

Computers

Storing computers can be more difficult than storing tools and machines, because computer components tend to be more delicate. However, if you store your computer equipment with care in a climate controlled storage unit, it is possible to keep it safe. Start by backing up all important data, then remove all of the cords, wires, and batteries from your equipment. You may need to label the wires and batteries to ensure that you know which ones go with which computer when you remove them from storage.

You may be tempted to wrap your electronics in plastic to protect them, but you shouldn't. Moisture can become trapped inside of plastic. Use cloth packing blankets, sheets, or towels instead. These will keep the dust off and won't attract moisture. You can use bubble wrap or foam to protect screens and monitors. You should also place your computer equipment on cloth-lined pallets instead of on the floor to prevent scratches. Using pallets has the additional benefit of protecting your equipment from water damage in the event that the storage unit floods.

Make sure that all of the equipment that you store is insured, either through the storage facility or through your own business insurance. That way, you're protected in the event of an unexpected event. Staff at a local storage facility can help you find mini storage units that are well-suited for your business equipment.