Forklift Attachments North Dakota - Many different jobs would be impossible without the help of forklift attachments. The wide range of forklift attachments make most jobs not only possible but also safer and quicker. Besides regular forklift training, operators also need to undergo proper training for every attachment they will be using.
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
A forklift attachment can replace an existing forklift attachment or can be added to a forklift that does not 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
Forklifts are given lift capacity ratings by the manufacturer which will need to be adjusted if adding or changing a forklift attachment. Manufacturers of forklift attachments usually offer calculators available online to estimate the safe lifting capacity when using a particular attachment. Accurate lifting capacities are only available from the forklift manufacturers.
Prior to installing any attachment, it is important to contact the local authorized dealer of the forklift brand being used and request that they re-rate the forklift in accordance with the attachment being considered for use. After the manufacturer of the forklift has re-rated the forklift, it should have a new factory authorized specification plate. This new specification plate will replace the original plate and should be installed showing the new rating for the forklift.
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 these instances, one or more valves need to be added. There are several methods of adding a valve. The manufacturers of forklifts create accessories to simplify hose and valve routing. However, the parts and labor to install these can be so expensive as to make this option impractical. Other options include adding a cable reel and a hose in conjunction with a solenoid valve to divert oil from an existing location. Unfortunately, hose and cable reels can sometimes block the operator's view and can be easily damaged. There are kits available that use a solenoid valve and specialty hoses that allow for the reinforced braid to double as an electrical conduit. Since these hoses replace existing forklift hoses, they remain safe from external damage while maintaining clear vision for the operator.
Safety Considerations
Prior to fitting any type of forklift attachment, proper training must be obtained. Operators need to be competent with removing, operating and fitting the attachment before using it.
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. Forks and a stock fork carriage compute the nominal load rating; although, the precise load rating may be much lower.
Secondly, the forklift’s center of gravity will be affected when any forklift attachment is added. This will reduce the forklift’s stability. 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. It is essential that operators travel slowly and make gentle turns when using any kind of forklift attachment. 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
A list of the most common attachments and their general uses are set out below. This is just a sample list of some of the most popular forklift attachments. As you will see, the large variety of attachments available have the capacity to greatly increase the efficiency of many jobs.
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:
The fork positioners adjust for different loads by moving the forks together or apart in relation to each other.
DIMENSIONING DEVICES:
Dimensioning devices offer cargo dimensions to create more warehouse efficiency and better truck and trailer space. This is commonly used with billing systems that record volume.
ROTATOR:
Assists in righting skids that have tilted, handling custom load requirements and quick unloading. Numerous attachments have a rotator feature.
ROLL AND BARREL CLAMP:
The roll and barrel clamp allows the forklift to grasp rounded loads including barrels. It is outfitted with different pressure settings to facilitate fragile options and often has a rotate function to simplify horizontal and vertical positioning.
CARTON AND MULTIPURPOSE CLAMP:
The carton and multipurpose clamp is for grasping loads with a squared shape. It also features pressure settings to handle bales, boxes and cartons.
POLE ATTACHMENTS:
Pole attachments are long metal poles in place of the forks. They are useful for picking up linoleum and rolled up carpet or similar items.
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:
The drum handler is built for holding drums. It may have arms that encompass the drum for transporting or it may feature a spring-loaded jaw to grip the drum’s top lip.
DRUM AND STORAGE BIN TIPPER:
Allows for quick transfer of loose or liquid contents in large containers.
MAN BASKET:
Lift platform meant for lifting workers and complete with railings and brackets for 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:
Scales allow forklift operators to weigh their pallets during transport. This increases efficiency by providing simultaneous data and not making the operator travel back and forth to scales. This attachment can be used for operators who bill by weight in legal-for-trade applications.
SINGLE-DOUBLE FORKS:
Single-double forks facilitate movement of a single platform or pallet or two side-by-side pallets. This is useful for transporting specialty items with the right attachments employed. It can be used with normal lifting tasks and stops the need for owning two separate machines. This greatly reduces the cost of maintenance and operation that is used with multiple forklifts.
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
