Blog

Expanding Your Business' Potential With an Inplant Office

May 14, 2018

See what a new (or used!) Inplant Office can do for you with samples and inspiration right from our warehouse. Inplant Offices provide a modular solution to a rigid problem: Where can I find space...

Recent Used Structural Pallet Rack Liquidation

March 30, 2018

American Surplus recently completed another used pallet rack liquidation in New England. This job consisted of a large quantity of Used Frazier Structural pallet rack and a smaller lot of Konstant...

Used Conveyor Installation

February 23, 2018

American Surplus recently completed a used conveyor installation out in Reno, NV. This project had two phases of conveyor installations. The first job consisted of 300+ linear feet of used transport...

Pallet Rack Installation

January 25, 2018

Check out our most recent pallet rack installation. This was a new teardrop pallet rack job because the size of the job was so large it was more beneficial to the customer to go with the new option. ...

3 Ways to Save Money in Your Warehouse in 2018

January 12, 2018

1. Invest In a Used Steel Mezzanine Used Mezzanines, also called storage platforms, are a perfect way to add space in your warehouse without renting additional space. You can incorporate...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from American Surplus

December 21, 2017

From everyone at American Surplus, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We have had a great year and want to thank all our customers, vendors, employees, subcontractors and everyone else...

Used Warehouse Liquidation in Massachusetts

December 5, 2017

American Surplus has started another used warehouse equipment liquidation in Massachusetts, throughout December 2017 we will be dismantling the product and bringing it back to our warehouse in Rhode...

Huge Tax Savings Available for Used & New Warehouse & Material Handling Equipment

November 7, 2017

It’s hard to believe that 2017 is ending already, but that means it’s time to talk about the Section 179 Deduction program again. This tax program can save your business thousands and should be...

Used Pallet Rack Liquidation in Missouri

October 11, 2017

American Surplus is helping a business restructure its operation by tearing down and liquidating a large section of used pallet rack in its warehouse to make room for a redesigned storage layout. The...

How Can a Used Baler Save you Money?

October 5, 2017

Balers in the material handling industry are used to compress disposable waste products such as plastics, paper, cardboard, metals, and other materials. Originally balers were used in agriculture to...

Recent Warehouse Liquidation

September 16, 2017

American Surplus has recently liquidated a large warehouse in Massachusetts. We have begun receiving the material in our warehouse and it is ready for sale. The main products in this liquidation are...

Benefits of Buying a Used Steel Mezzanine

September 14, 2017

American Surplus custom designs used mezzanine systems using CAD drawings to suit your specific needs. Some of the benefits of a custom designed used mezzanine from ASI include: Cost Effective –...

Your Guide to Buying Used Steel Shelving

August 8, 2017

Used steel shelving is ideal for hand loading small inventory items, parts, tools, etc. There are several other terms for used steel shelving, we also call it used warehouse shelving and used...

Exercise Your Creativity with These Unique Inplant Office Ideas

July 19, 2017

One of the best features of inplant offices, or modular offices, is their modular construction. All the components are interchangeable, so when it comes to what sort of spaces you can create in your...

Used Cantilever Rack In - Stock Now

June 16, 2017

American Surplus has used cantilever rack now in stock. With five different capacity styles, we’re bound to have something perfect for your application. Used Cantilever Rack is perfect for storing...

Used Pallet Rack: Which Type Is Best for You?

May 23, 2017

Used Pallet Rack: Which Type Is Best for You? Whether you are opening a new warehouse, adding onto your existing used pallet rack due to business growth, or moving into a new facility, you have...

Improve Your Shipping & Receiving Department

April 17, 2017

Used Flexible Conveyors are a great investment for your shipping and receiving department. This product is a powerless, gravity driven conveyor that transports products throughout the warehouse. They...

5 Tips to Optimize Your Warehouse Space

March 13, 2017

Maintaining and organizing a warehouse is no easy task. If you have ever worked in a warehouse you can imagine the difficulties a manager faces while trying to squeeze efficiency from the buildings’...

New Teardrop Pallet Rack Quick Ship Program

February 22, 2017

American Surplus is now stocking new teardrop pallet rack. Pallet Rack Frames, Beams, and Wire Decks are in stock and ready to ship to you. We understand price, quality and convenience are...

American Surplus is headed to Promat 2017

February 1, 2017

We are very excited to have 5 ASI team members headed to the 2017 Promat Show in April this year. It is a great way to network and put a face with the vendors & customers we talk with all year via...

Happy Thanksgiving from American Surplus

November 21, 2016

We’d like to wish all our friends, family & customers a very happy thanksgiving. American Surplusis a family business and we value family above all else. We strive to treat our customers & friends...

New Warehouse Liquidation November 2016

November 4, 2016

Another Liquidation is underway with American Surplus. Located in New England, a liquor distribution center is growing so they needed to move to a larger facility, and American Surplus is here to...

Speed Up Your Shipping Department with A Stretch Wrapper

October 14, 2016

Stretch Wrappers, also known as pallet wrappers, are commonly used in warehouses across the globe to make packing orders for shipping much more efficient. Using a low density polyethylene stretch...

When Your Pallet Racking Needs to Be Replaced

September 22, 2016

Pallet Rack will typically last a lifetime, however, collisions, ware and tare, and just plain freak accidents are always a possibility. Forklift operators have a tough job and with heavy objects and...

Benefits of Wire Decking

August 26, 2016

When designing your pallet rack system there are many considerations before making a decision on your purchase. The basic decision involves purchasing your frames & beams. This step is usually as...

Used Flammable Cabinets- Save Money and Comply with Code

August 12, 2016

A fire could rage through your facility in literally seconds, leaving nothing to spare. This is just one of the reasons why it is extremely important to keep flammable/toxic chemicals and other...

Your Guide to Investing in Used Material Handling Equipment

August 2, 2016

When researching & purchasing used material handling equipment, there are many factors to consider. Used Warehouse Equipment can save you a lot of money, but if you are not careful, it could be a...

What’s New at American Surplus This Summer?

July 15, 2016

American Surplus is having a great year so far & we are looking forward to the second half. A couple weeks ago we had one of our employee appreciation events at the Paw Sox Game and it was a huge...

Let ASI do the work for you! From Start, To Finish! Nationwide Installations Available

June 30, 2016

We know how difficult it can be to organize your warehouse. Whether you're a start up or growing/relocating business, we understand your needs.American Surplus has a knowledgeable sales staff & an...

Save money by creating office space & storage space at the same time!

June 17, 2016

Maximizing your warehouse space is a tricky task. As a warehouse manager you want to be able to store as much product as you can in the smallest amount of space. At the same time, you want to store...

What Type of Forklift Should I Buy?

May 31, 2016

Forklift manufacturers have made substantial improvements to all types of lift trucks in recent years from diesel and propane to gasoline and electric. Each forklift type has definitive advantages...

American Surplus Department Tour

March 15, 2016

Here at American Surplus we have 5 main departments. These departments are Conveyor, Fabrication, Forklift, Racking and Shelving. Below is a video tour of our building that will take you to each of...

4 Mistakes Buyers Make in the Material Handling Industry

February 19, 2016

Buying equipment for your company can be a long and painful process, but if you avoid these mistakes I see on a daily basis you can have an easy buying process in no time. Poor Time...

4 Reasons why a Mezzanine is right for your warehouse

January 29, 2016

Whenever a company grows beyond its current warehouse capabilities the first thought is “We need to move to a larger warehouse.” But I am here to tell you that there may be another option that will...

Changes at American Surplus

January 15, 2016

2015 was a great year for us here at American Surplus. We set new records in sales and expanded our warehouse so we have even more space now. With these expansions we added some new people to our...

American Surplus Buys Used Equipment

November 23, 2015

With the ever changing world of material handling every once and a while it becomes necessary to sell off used equipment or maybe downsize your operation. This is where a company like American...

5 striking benefits of powered conveyor in a modern warehouse

October 27, 2015

Any conveyor machine is simply a movable or even immobile machine intended to handle products routinely from one position to another. It really is one of the most conventional procedures applied with...

5 Ways to Improve your Packaging System

October 9, 2015

Whether you are shrink wrapping pallets or sealing boxes full of your product your packaging system is most likely a very important part of your warehouse. Making sure you are getting the efficiency...

Employee Safety with Scissor Lift Tables

September 18, 2015

Scissor lift tables provide an ergonomic solution to lifting, positioning and transporting heavy loads. Scissor lifts can be used to safely move and lift loads to better ergonomic positions. Lift...

Should I Buy Material Handling Equipment at an Auction?

August 28, 2015

There are a multitude of reasons why you should not buy your Material Handling and Storage equipment at an auction. Buying equipment at an auction is a very complex purchase process because the...

Difference Between a Hydraulic and Mechanical Vertical Lift

August 7, 2015

Before we get into what the difference are between these two styles of vertical lifts that American Surplus sells, why don’t we give you are basic understanding of what a Vertical Reciprocating...

Gravity Skatewheel Curve Conveyor

May 20, 2015

Used skatewheel curves add versatility to straight conveyors with excellent package orientation because of the differential wheel action. Curves will convey Packages with a minimum amount of pitch...

Wire Baskets – New & Used

May 11, 2015

Wire baskets for storage and transportation of both in process and finished inventory can be a significant addition to your application. There are many styles, and sizes available at economical...

Industrial Shelving Comparison Guide

April 15, 2015

Used warehouse steel shelving is designed to store small, light to very large heavy, bulky items. There are several application and shelving features that must be compared and considered when...

Pushback Racking –Solid Reasons for Buying

April 6, 2015

When considering the various types of pallet racking for your facility it can be a difficult choice if you have a wide range of load sizes, types of pallets, weights, and a high inventory turnover. ...

10-Points to Consider when Buying Material Handling Equipment

March 30, 2015

Survey says: Buy a standard brand that has been time tested and from a company with an excellent reputation. When I comparing products expect that the latest model with a higher price should...

Burtman Mezzanine Acquisition

March 23, 2015

Over 5,000 square feet Burtman style (8″ C- channels) Stairways (internal & external) Gates (all styles) RailingAlso Available from stock are mezzanine accessories including: ...

When to Stop Hand Taping your Cases

March 16, 2015

Both hand taping systems are generally priced under $1,000 versus the automatics that are priced around $10,000 new. Will both systems get the job done? Actually yes. The hand taping system is...

The Best choice is a Used Case Sealer

March 9, 2015

A used case sealer is an effective high volume method of applying sealing tape to a cardboard case. Operators, depending on the application, fold the bottom taps of case and while holding the case in...

Used Cantilever Rack Styles & Applications

February 23, 2015

Cantilever rack with out decking Used cantilever is a popular style of racking for storing long, bulky bundled or loose tubes, cylinders and piping including flat stock such as lumber, metal or...

Types of Used Forklifts: Styles and Sizes for your Warehouse Operation

February 10, 2015

Forklifts are one of the most significant pieces of material handling equipment in most industries. Lifts come in various types and sizes for material handle operations from warehouses, distribution...

Finding Ways to Increase Warehouse Storage Space

January 22, 2015

My Current warehouse storage space is at 80% of total available floorspace. How can I use my current storage space more effectively? There are two factors that must be considered: Storage...

Why you Need an Electric Pallet Jack

January 8, 2015

American Surplus has a large inventory of used pallet jacks, both standard and electric. Here are some factors that can help determine which is most appropriate for your material handling...

Types of Forklifts: What you Need to Know

October 23, 2014

Used Electric Pallet Jack: picking from low level storage locations Used Power Operated Stacker: lower weight & lifting capabilities for internal transport Used Power Counterbalanced 3 and 4...

Used Stack Racks – Tier Rack vs. Nestainers

October 6, 2014

If you are looking for flexibility when choosing a racking system, the most popular option is stack racks. American Surplus sells two different style stack racks, Tier Rack and Nestainers. These...

Consolidating, Downsizing, Liquidating? Call ASI

August 4, 2014

Moving into a new facility or need to consolidate your existing facility? American Surplus is constantly seeking used material handling equipment, including but not limited to: Conveyor –...

Join Our Growing Sales Force!

July 18, 2014

American Surplus Inc. has been in the business of buying and selling used material handling equipment for over 20 years. We are constantly expanding, and require additional sales representatives to...

Which Type of Industrial Shelving is Right for Me?

June 25, 2014

A warehouse or industrial facility is constantly changing its inventory as new items are being acquired and stored, and products are being distributed. One of the most important factors in laying out...

Tips to Extend The Life of Your Forklift Battery

June 3, 2014

Forklift batteries are extremely heavy duty and can be recharged a number of times. Taking proper care of this super duty battery will really help extend its lifespan. By following these basic tips, ...

Daily Forklift Operation Checklist: What You Need to Know

May 22, 2014

Operating a forklift is fun and can be exciting. However, it is no cake walk. You must adhere to strict guidelines and safety practices to get the most out of your experience as a forklift operator...

Ways to Avoid Pallet Rack Failure

May 15, 2014

Forklifts are one of the most common causes of destruction in a warehouse facility, as they are constantly weaving through aisles upon aisles of pallet rack. One little mistake can cause the forklift...

Conveyor System History

March 5, 2014

Conveyors have been around for hundreds of years, and they were originally used in agricultural settings. Farmers would use conveyor belts to load grain onto ships, but these devices were not even...

A Brief History of Forklifts

February 26, 2014

Before forklifts, manually powered hoists were typically used to lift loads. These hoists were mainly composed of chains and winches. The first platform trucks were essentially hoists that were...

Dock Plates, Dock Boards, & Dock Levelers

February 18, 2014

One problem to overcome with loading docks is bridging the gap between the open end of the truck bed and the warehouse floor. This causes a problem because not all warehouse floors are the same...

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors

January 29, 2014

A vertical conveyor moves product from one level to another, and they are typically found in distribution centers, factories, warehouses, and any other industrial setting. A VRC lifts products...

Conveyor Safety Tips

January 24, 2014

Safety around any equipment in a warehouse facility is crucial, and this is especially true around conveyor equipment. With many moving parts, chains, gears, and pinch points, it can be dangerous for...

Strapping Methods

January 23, 2014

Strapping is the process of securing pieces of equipment together for shipment or for storage, and is also known as bundling or banding. This improves the organization of product being stored, which...

Warehouse Safety Tips

January 9, 2014

Warehouse facilities can be hazardous to your safety in a number of ways if the proper safety procedures aren’t being followed. Some of these scenarios are more common than others, but we will...

Save Money and the Environment!

January 6, 2014

National and global attention is shifting towards the responsible use of energy, and it is being implemented in homes and businesses via solar panels, wind turbines, paperless billing, and more. What...

Lessons for the Holiday Season

December 12, 2013

Although improvements to your material handling processes are usually done during the slow season, you can actually learn a lot from the busy holiday months. If you can stay focused during these...

Methods of Palletization

December 9, 2013

Palletization is the process of taking cases of products and packing them together in one unit on a pallet for storage or transportation. There are three categories for palletizing products, manual, ...

The Benefits of Buying Used Shelving

December 6, 2013

Many people are obviously hesitant when considering purchasing used shelving for their warehouse facility. This is very reasonable, because not all used industrial warehouse equipment is treated the...

Which Type of Racking is Right for Me?

December 4, 2013

When deciding the storage device to be utilized for a new warehouse facility or an existing one, you must first consider what kind of material you are handling. There are many factors that will...

Tips to Keep your Conveyor System Running Efficiently

November 22, 2013

Companies that often depend on their conveyor system for their daily operations don’t always take proper care of them, so when a breakdown occurs the company can be out of commission for a long time. ...

Effectively Slotting Your Warehouse Facility

November 4, 2013

If you are in an existing warehouse or storage facility looking to improve efficiency, or you are moving to a new facility, you should consider a slotting analysis. Slotting is the activity of...

How to Determine Which Stretch Wrapper is Right for You

November 1, 2013

Stretch wrappers most commonly use low-density polyethylene,which can stretch up to 500% of its length before breaking. The film is typically only stretched 100 to 300% when in use, and once it is...

Ways to Improve Efficiency in your Material Handling Facility

October 25, 2013

There are many factors to consider when attempting to make your material handling facility run more efficiently. Chances are, your facility’s processes, from shipping and receiving to production and...

How to Choose the Right Used Yard Ramp

October 21, 2013

One of the major benefits of a used yard ramp is they don’t require a permanent docking bay. Construction of a docking bay can be quite costly, so it is only realistic in a more permanent facility...

Make Your Warehouse More Efficient With a Used Pick Module

October 10, 2013

Typically palletized loads are automatically transported via gravity through the pick module system. They can be directed into storage onto flow racks, or they can be broken down into individual...

Need More Office Space? How About an In-Plant Office?

September 24, 2013

A modular office space or in plant office is a cost effective solution and a customizable way to add offices to your storage facility. It is a great way to make the most out of an already existing...

Choosing the Right Used Dock Board or Dock Plate

September 19, 2013

Dock boards and dock plates are a portable solution to bridging the gap from the edge of the dock to the open truck bed. This can be a problem because trucks vary in height, so there is a gap and a...

Helpful Tips to Consider When Buying a Used Forklift

September 12, 2013

Forklifts are a vital piece of equipment used for the movement of inventory in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Used forklifts are available with dozens of options and accessories that are...

How to Purchase a Used Pallet Jack

September 3, 2013

What is a pallet jack and how does it work? Used pallet jacks are one of the most useful and commonly used warehouse tools. Pallet jacks transfer thousands of pounds of inventory with ease, and...

Advanced Carton Flow Rack Guide

August 20, 2013

All types of flow rack use wheels or rollers, which are gravity powered, to transport products from the rear of the racking system to the front automatically. This is a first in, first out style of...

Benefits of Used Carton Flow Rack

August 14, 2013

Used carton flow rack is a style of racking that uses a “gravity feed rear load design. Inventory sits on skate wheels or rollers that are set on a pitch, allowing for products to glide to the front...

What to Consider When Buying Used Bins and Totes

August 12, 2013

Used bins and totes might seem like a straightforward purchase, but there are actually many options that go along with it. One of the first questions to ask is do you need totes that stack on top of...

Used Cantilever Rack Helpful Tips

August 2, 2013

Used cantilever rack is a style of racking that has beams that only anchor on one end, and are commonly found in lumber yards or plumbing supply warehouses where items being stored are long and...

Pallet Rack Types and Helpful Tips

July 22, 2013

Pallet racking is any material handling storage system that stores materials on pallets in horizontal rows on multiple levels. Pallet racks require the use of a forklift truck to load and unload...

Types of Gravity Conveyor

July 17, 2013

Used Gravity Conveyor, as the name implies, is a powerless free flowing conveyor system for transporting products throughout the warehouse. They can be set up at a decline to have products flow...

Used Mezzanine Benefits

July 15, 2013

Used mezzanines are a perfect way to add extra storage or office space to your warehouse or storage facility. Typically mezzanines are semi-permanent floor systems that are usually installed within...

American Surplus: We’ll Save You Time and Money

November 11, 2011

Used Material Handling blog is an effort to offer American Surplus Inc. customers an opportunity to get the latest information, tips and suggestions relative to the purchase and use of quality used...