Forklift Attachments Oceanside - Many different jobs would be impossible without the help of forklift attachments. There are numerous forklift attachments that make jobs faster and safer to complete. In addition to general forklift training, operators must be properly training for each attachment they intent to use.
Many hydraulic and non-hydraulic forklift attachments are available. They offer numerous benefits by decreasing man-power, employee accidents, fuel consumption, damage to stock and time.
Equipment Considerations
Forklift attachments can replace existing attachments or may be added to a machine that doesn’t already have one. Several equipment-related factors must be considered before any forklift attachment is replaced or added. These considerations include:
1. The forklift type;
2. The forklift’s capacity;
3. The carriage type; and
4. The number of hydraulic functions.
Failing to take these aforementioned factors into consideration can create extra safety hazards and risks for the operator, the forklift, its’ attachments and the stock. Extra safety factors must be considered which will be discussed in more detail.
Forklift Rating and Re-Rating
Manufacturers give forklifts a lift capacity rating that needs to be considered and adjusted when adding or changing forklift attachments. Online calculators are available from manufacturers of forklift attachment’s to provide estimates on every attachments’ lifting capacity. It is important to note that only the forklift manufacturer can provide accurate lifting capacities.
Before installing any kind of attachment, it is essential to contact the local authorized forklift dealer of the particular forklift brand to request that they rate the machine accordingly with the attachment being used. Once the forklift manufacturer has re-rated the machine, it will ideally have a new specification plate that is factory authorized. The newly upgraded specification plate will replace the original plate and needs to be installed showing the new forklift rating.
Equipment Upgrades
Forklift attachments rely on the machine’s hydraulic function and are made up of a forklift valve that has a lever situated close to the operator. This creates two passages of pressurized hydraulic oil for powering the attachment features. Note that not every attachment is hydraulic; however, the hydraulic attachments provide more features compared to the number of valves the forklift offers. In this circumstance, it is common to add one or more valves as needed. There are numerous ways a valve can be added. There are many ways to add a forklift valve.Equipment manufacturers make forklift accessories for hose routing and valve placement. Due to the cost of labor and parts required, this process may not be practical. Another possibility is to install a cable reel, solenoid valve and hose to divert oil from an alternate location. However, the operators’ view may be compromised due to the cable reels and hose installation. These parts also may be easily damaged by their location. Special hoses and a solenoid valve kit an be used to create an electrical conduit out of the reinforced braid. These hoses are designed to replace existing ones and stay free from being damaged. The operator can enjoy a clear view with this option.
Safety Considerations
Before using any type of forklift attachment, adequate training must be fulfilled. An operator must be competent in the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment.
Two important safety factors must be considered before the use of any forklift attachment.
First, any attachment on a forklift will reduce its nominal load rating, as mentioned above. The nominal load rating is computed with a stock fork carriage and forks. However, the actual load rating may be substantially lower.
Secondly, the forklift’s center of gravity will be affected when any forklift attachment is added. Obviously, the stability of the forklift is reduced. Since the attachment’s weight is prominent in front of the fulcrum point on the forklift, the operator needs to drive the machine as though it is partially loaded even before it is carrying a load. Thus, when using any attachment, an operator should travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently. As noted above, each attachment should be listed on the data plate of the forklift’s capacity.
Specific safety checks must be made prior to using each forklift attachment. The attachment must be:
1. Appropriate for the specific forklift being used;
2. Appropriate for the specific load;
3. Attached correctly;
4. Properly locked; and
5. Permitted on the forklift’s data plate.
List of Common Forklift Attachments
Discover a list of common forklift attachments and how they are utilized below. There are many more attachments available than are listed here but this will cover the most widely-used. Forklift attachments are designed to increase job efficiency for many applications.
SIDESHIFTER:
The operator can manipulate the forks laterally with a sideshifter. This allows for easier load placement without having to move the entire forklift.
FORK POSITIONERS:
Fork positioners allow the forks to travel apart or together with each other to adjust for different load sizes.
DIMENSIONING DEVICES:
Dimensioning devices feature cargo dimensions useful for creating better efficiency in trucks, trailers and warehouses. This technology is often used alongside billing systems that monitor volume.
ROTATOR:
Rotators help to right tilted skids and are useful for fast unloading and tackling custom load requirements. Many attachments include a rotator feature.
ROLL AND BARREL CLAMP:
The roll and barrel clamp simplifies grasping rounded loads such as barrels. It has numerous pressure settings for handling fragile items with less damage potential. This attachment often has a rotate function to change the load from a vertical to a horizontal position.
CARTON AND MULTIPURPOSE CLAMP:
Allows for grasping a load with a more squared shape, often with pressure settings. Products like cartons, boxes and bales can be moved with this type of attachment.
POLE ATTACHMENTS:
Pole attachments are placed where the forks would normally be and are used for transporting carpet and rolled up linoleum.
SLIP SHEETER OR PUSH-PULL:
The slip sheeter or push-pull allows the operator to move sheets by clamping onto slip sheets. This is an option instead of relying on pallets. The slip sheet can be moved onto thin and wide metal forks to simplify loading or unloading by pushing the slip sheet. The “Save” variation allows the slip sheet to be taken off for reuse later. The “Standard,” attachment variation is another option.
DRUM HANDLER:
Allows for grasping drums, either with a spring-loaded jaw to grip the top lip of a drum, or with arms that encircle the drum, for transport.
DRUM AND STORAGE BIN TIPPER:
Allows for quick transfer of loose or liquid contents in large containers.
MAN BASKET:
The man basket is a lift platform to allow workers to complete jobs with brackets and railings and safety harnesses.
TELESCOPIC FORKS:
Telescopic forks are used in warehouses that rely on stacking two pallets in the event one shelf is located behind another shelf with no aisle in between.
SCALES:
Enables operators to simultaneously weigh and transport pallets, eliminating the need to interrupt transport to travel to scales, and can be obtained in legal-for-trade weights for operations that bill by weight.
SINGLE-DOUBLE FORKS:
The single-double forks can be used alongside regular lifting tasks. It allows a single pallet or platform to move or two pallets beside each other. Additional attachments can be used and this replaces the need for having a separate specialty unit; thus reducing maintenance and operating costs associated with more than one machine.
SNOW PLOW:
Designed for snow removal and distribution but can also be used to move other types of loose material.
SKIPS:
Skips enable quick and safe waste removal to a skip or waste compactor. They may feature a bottom-emptying design or be a roll-forward model.
BOOMS AND JIBS:
Jibs and boom offer extended forklift reach for transporting loads that are stacked deep or high or that are suspended. There are reach-over, low profile, precision lifting and extendable length options.
Forklift Attachment PDF
