Mechanical vs. Powered Mobile Storage: Which Is Right for You?
Montel mobile storage systems can transform any storage space into an organized and efficient hub of operation. But when push comes to shove, should you invest in a mechanical-assist or powered mobile storage system?
Ask yourself these questions to find out:
How flat is our floor?
Because of the recessed or surface-mounted rail components required for mobile storage solutions, mechanical-assist and powered systems both require a flat, even concrete floor.
Our engineers will determine whether your storage location is within safe capacity and levelness tolerances, but you can do a spot check yourself. Does your floor have excessive cracking? Is it uneven in places? If so, ask about Montel’s subfloor construction services, which address these cracking and leveling issues, as part of your mobile storage investment.
For the most impeccable floors, barring an inspection from Montel, we also offer BULK&ROLL, our in-aisle rail-free mobile storage system.
What am I storing?
The weight, size, and shape of your inventory matters when selecting a mobile storage system.
Montel’s mechanical-assist and powered systems both allow for the safe access to whatever you’re storing—SKUs, library books, delicate art pieces, car tires—but, generally speaking, heavier and more cumbersome objects weighing hundreds of pounds are better suited to powered systems.
(To be clear, mechanical-assist systems are no slouches—a single pound of pressure exerted on a SafeCrank handle can move up to a ton of shelved goods.)
What will I be storing?
Don’t forget to consider the growth potential behind installing a mobile system in the first place.
Mobile storage can help facilities expand their capabilities, reach new markets, and offer services they couldn’t before. What may today need only a mechanical system might evolve into something that demands the extra industrial lifting power of an electrical one.
How much space are we working with?
Though both systems are space conscious, the carriages on our mechanical-assist systems are leaner than our powered ones, which makes them perfect for smaller or average-size storage spaces—retailers, offices, pharmacies, libraries, and universities, just to name a few.
Conversely, our powered solutions, with their longer carriages and heavier weight loads, are more popular with warehouses looking to maximize their vacancy and storage capacity. Powered mobile storage systems also support a wider array of safety solutions for preventing the system from moving when an aisle is occupied, as well as adjustable speeds for the smoothest, safest carriage movement.
How often are people accessing the system?
Again, both our mechanical-assist and powered mobile storage systems are intuitive and safe to use regularly. If, however, you’re looking for ways to maximize productivity, you might enjoy the added functionality of our ePulse remote monitoring software, an optional add-on for our powered systems.
ePulse allows users to program opening and closing sequences according to a facility’s operating schedule, all from a tablet or smartphone. We’ve found that warehouses and distribution centers appreciate that no one person has to manually open and close parts of the system for routine loading and unloading operations. It just happens when it’s time for it to happen—everything runs like clockwork.
Mechanical-assist vs. powered mobile storage
If you’re still on the fence about which mobile storage system is right for your facility, talk to your local Authorized Montel Distributor. They’ll ask detailed questions about your unique goals, as well as provide 2D and 3D renderings of your ideal mobile storage system.