Forklift Guide
This is not exhaustive and Lift Truck Services can give you personal guidance and advice if you contact us.
Forklifts and Lift trucks are generally capable of carrying out the following tasks, subject to site conditions and other factors including height and weight and fork lift attachments.
Forklifts are used in factories, warehouses and on sites to lift and transport items which individually or in bulk are too heavy and hazardous to carry by hand. The lift fork can take pallets and can have different attachments designed to lift and carry specific loads.
Each forklift has a different load size and weight capacity, and a lift height, and Lift Truck Services can help you determine which would be the best type for your operation. Forklifts can carry from 3000 to 30,000 pounds with more specialised lifting equipment exceeding this maximum.
Also you need to take into consideration forklift truck safety features, and attachments, side shifts, and tilt mast. These can also impact on the load capacity and reduce it.
Think also about the conditions in the warehouse, factory or site in which you operate.
Would your forklift have to work down narrow aisles?
If so you might have to opt for a side lifting mechanism. There are NA and VNA trucks (narrow aisle and very narrow aisle). Standard forklift needs an eleven foot wide aisle, narrow aisle works to eight-ten foot, and a very narrow aisle works to a six foot aisle-width. You would have to ensure also that your pallets or load widths do not exceed that of the forklift itself. This is common sense, but an often be overlooked.
How can you establish a safe load?
Forklift capacity is based on a 24 inch ‘load centre’. This means that the distance from the centre of gravity to the sides is 24”.
For safe handling it is important to pack goods securely and to distribute weight as evenly as possible. If possible, put the heaviest items at the bottom and centralise it on the pallet or the fork lift itself. This helps to avoid any damage and decreases the changes of the load toppling or becoming too top heavy.
Obviously, how you pack your goods onto a pallet or directly onto the ‘fork’ depends on you’re the nature and physical structure of your warehousing, factory or site operation.
Would your forklift have to carry varying weights of loads?
If so, determine the heaviest weight you regularly carry and opt for a fork lift that carries that maximum load.
Would your forklift need to work outdoors on uneven terrain?
If so, consider what tyres are best for the task. Quite often, it will come down to the tyres.
Cushion tyres are made of solid rubber and suit indoor use. You will find that electric forklifts only come with this type of tyre.
Pneumatic tyres are inflated with compressed air and are more suitable for outdoor use. If the terrain is rough a diesel of petrol forklift with pneumatic tyres is the most suitable option.
Solid pneumatic tyres are the most expensive option but these are the most suitable for outdoor terrain and site conditions which might increase the chance of punctures.
Contact Lift Truck Services for the best advice on the truck to suit your task.
