MHE stands for materials handling equipment. It refers to equipment used to move, lift, store or control goods during storage, loading and distribution operations.
In logistics and transport environments, MHE typically includes forklift trucks, powered pallet trucks and order picking equipment used to handle palletised goods in warehouses, loading bays and distribution facilities. Some equipment is also used to unload vehicles directly at delivery sites.
The term is widely used across warehousing and transport operations, particularly where goods are palletised and handled during loading and unloading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MHE stand for?
MHE stands for materials handling equipment. It is a general term used to describe equipment that moves, lifts, stores or controls goods in logistics, warehousing and transport operations.
What is the difference between a LLOP, PPT and pallet truck?
A pallet truck is manual and used for short-distance movement of pallets at floor level. A PPT (powered pallet truck) performs the same function but is electrically powered, allowing heavier loads to be moved more efficiently. A LLOP (low level order picker) is typically a ride-on powered machine with forks that can raise slightly to assist with picking or positioning at low shelf height, before returning to ground level.
Is a Moffett a type of MHE?
Yes, a Moffett is a type of materials handling equipment. It refers to a truck-mounted forklift carried on a vehicle or trailer, allowing goods to be unloaded where no fixed handling equipment is available.
Common types of materials handling equipment
Materials handling equipment covers a wide range of machines used to move and position goods within logistics and distribution environments. In practice, the term is most often associated with equipment used to handle palletised loads.
Common examples include forklift trucks, powered pallet trucks and order picking equipment used to move goods between storage areas, picking locations and loading bays. Some vehicles may also carry their own unloading equipment for use at delivery sites where fixed lifting equipment is not available.
Several abbreviations are widely used in day-to-day operations, including FLT (fork lift truck), PPT (powered pallet truck) and LLOP (low level order picker).
What is an FLT?
FLT stands for fork lift truck. The abbreviation is commonly used in transport, warehousing and logistics operations.
Forklift trucks are designed to lift and move palletised loads over short distances. They are commonly used for loading and unloading HGV trailers at depots, warehouses and distribution centres.
In everyday use, the term FLT is often used as a general shorthand for forklift equipment rather than referring to a specific model or configuration.
What is a PPT?
PPT stands for powered pallet truck. This type of equipment is designed primarily for moving palletised loads at floor level rather than lifting them to height.
Powered pallet trucks are commonly used inside warehouses and loading areas where goods need to be moved efficiently between storage locations, picking areas and loading bays.
Because they operate at low level, PPTs are used for movement rather than stacking or placing loads onto racking systems.
What is a LLOP?
LLOP stands for low level order picker. It is a powered machine used for fast, repeated movement of palletised goods and picked items within warehouse operations.
In practical terms, a LLOP is closely related to a powered pallet truck, but it is commonly ride-on and may have forks that raise to low shelf or picking height before returning to ground level.
This makes it suitable for operations where goods are moved frequently and handled at low level, while remaining distinct from forklift trucks designed for higher lifting and stacking.
What is a Moffett?
The term Moffett is commonly used to describe a truck-mounted forklift, sometimes written as truck mounted forklift. These compact forklifts are carried on the rear of a rigid vehicle or trailer and can be quickly unloaded at the delivery point.
Truck-mounted forklifts allow palletised goods to be unloaded where fixed handling equipment may not be available, making them useful for deliveries to construction sites, retail locations, farms and other remote premises.
Although 'Moffett' is a well-known brand name belonging to Hiab, the term is often used more generally across the industry to describe rear-mounted forklift equipment. Similar systems are also sometimes referred to as Mounty forklifts or piggyback forklifts. When mounted to the rear of a trailer, the forklift is typically treated as carried apparatus rather than part of the trailer's regulated structural length.
