How will fitting an attachment affect the capacity of the forklift?

This is part 1 of our 2 part series on Forklift Attachments. Part 1 covers the benefits to workplace safety by using Forklift Attachments. Part 2 cover the basic forklift attachments available & some of their key benefits.

Forklift attachments are used regularly, as without them it would be impossible to move certain loads within a workplace. The main problems are that many people perceive forklift attachments as only being used for unique objects or tasks when in reality, there are forklift attachments that can suit almost any job which will make it faster, safer and alot less hassle. Ope rators may be perfectly trained and capable of driving and operating a normal forklift but they must also receive the proper training for the attachment they are operating.

“Forklift Attachment Guide” is a series aimed at getting you familiar with forklift attachment safetyforklift attachment safety and the different types of general forklift attachments and the uses of them, so you have a better understanding of what their capabilities are and which one may suit you best. The forklift norm is to have two tynes moving vertically carrying pallets/loads from point A to B, but have you ever thought that a forklift could be so much more? With a large variety of hydraulic and non-hydraulic attachments, your forklift has the potential to do a number of tasks that you never thought possible.

There are a number of benefits of having a forklift attachment including decreasing:

• Time it takes to move a load
• Man power
• Employees hours (operating forklift)
• Number of employees
• Fuel consumption
• Chance of damaging stock

Attachment Safety

It is important to note that when you use an attachment on a forklift, the load capacity will be reduced and the center of gravity of the forklift will be affected, making it less stable than it would be without the attachment. This is because you are putting weight in front of the fulcrum point (the point or support on which a lever pivots) of the forklift prior to picking up your load. It is therefore necessary to drive the forklift as if it were partially loaded, even prior to picking up the load.

For this reason it is advisable when working with any attachment to travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently. The attachment you are fitting should be listed on the data plate giving you the capacity of the truck. It is extremely important that prior to fitting any attachment you must ensure that you are given the training required to enable you to be competent in the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment.

The following checks must be made before using an attachment on a forklift:

• The attachment must suit the truck you are fitting it to, and must be suitable for the type of load you are lifting
• It must be properly attached to the forklift with a suitable locking device
• The data plate on the truck must allow for the use of the attachment

The main take away points from attachment safety is that you should always know what your forklift capabilities with an attachment on are, before you begin to operate it and you must have training for the specific attachment before use.

Most people are familiar with the ‘typical’ way to use a forklift; two forklift tynes moving vertically to carry loads or pallets or to lift loads to a higher point. And anyone who’s ever worked with a forklift in a factory or warehouse understands their value in lifting and moving goods, but the forklift can be so much more.

There is a large and clever variety of forklift attachments that can turn your forklift into a really handy and versatile piece of equipment. You may even be surprised by some of the ways you can use your forklift.

Impact of Attachments on Forklift Load Capacity

Before you start using attachments, you need to consider how the use of a forklift attachment will affect a forklift. Your forklift is rated for a specific maximum load capacity, and forklift attachments affect the maximum load capacity of your forklift.

Put simply, when you use an attachment on a forklift, the load capacity will be reduced and the centre of gravity of the forklift will be affected, making it less stable than it would be without the forklift drum handling attachment for example. This is because you are putting weight in front of the fulcrum point (the point or support on which a lever pivots) of the forklift prior to picking up your load. It is therefore necessary to drive the forklift as if it were partially loaded, even prior to picking up the load

Calculating the New Load Rating

The key factor in determining a new load rating is how the use of your attachment changes the centre of gravity of the forklift. The load centre is the distance from the face of the forks to the load’s centre of gravity. A forklift’s load capacity is the maximum weight that a forklift is able to safely carry at a specified load centre and a maximum load height.

If you attempt to lift a payload that is higher than your rated maximum lift capacity, while your forklift may be able to do it – at least for a short time – it isn’t safe and it risks the safety of your operator and employees in the immediate area. Of course, it may also damage your forklift, forklift load, and surrounding equipment, costing you money and downtime.

Load Capacity Tips

• Your forklift’s maximum load capacity rating will be listed on the plate installed on a highly visible area of your forklift – usually on the mast at eye level to the driver.
• It’s a good idea to buy a forklift with a maximum load capacity that is higher than the biggest weight you intend to lift. As a rule of thumb, estimate the highest payload and add 10%.
• Ensure every forklift operator knows the maximum load capacity, the weight of objects being lifted, and the effect a forklift attachment will have on performance.

Forklift Attachment Safety Tips

When working with forklift attachments such as a forklift slipper, you need to ensure:

• You travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently.
• It is extremely important that operators are given training required to be able to competently manage the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment.
• The attachment must be suitable for your forklift, and must also be suitable for the load you are lifting
• The data plate on your forklift must allow for the use of the attachment

In summary, used correctly forklift attachments can turn a forklift into a highly versatile and useful machine. However, operators should always understand forklift capabilities with an additional attachment before they begun use and should always have training for the specific attachment.

View Bremco’s range of quality, Australian made forklift attachments, or contact the Bremco team today for friendly service and a fast quote.

Impact of Attachments on Forklift Load Capacity

Before you start using attachments, you need to consider how the use of a forklift attachment will affect a forklift. Your forklift is rated for a specific maximum load capacity, and forklift attachments affect the maximum load capacity of your forklift.

Put simply, when you use an attachment on a forklift, the load capacity will be reduced and the centre of gravity of the forklift will be affected, making it less stable than it would be without the forklift drum handling attachment for example. This is because you are putting weight in front of the fulcrum point (the point or support on which a lever pivots) of the forklift prior to picking up your load. It is therefore necessary to drive the forklift as if it were partially loaded, even prior to picking up the load

Calculating the New Load Rating

The key factor in determining a new load rating is how the use of your attachment changes the centre of gravity of the forklift. The load centre is the distance from the face of the forks to the load’s centre of gravity. A forklift’s load capacity is the maximum weight that a forklift is able to safely carry at a specified load centre and a maximum load height.

If you attempt to lift a payload that is higher than your rated maximum lift capacity, while your forklift may be able to do it – at least for a short time – it isn’t safe and it risks the safety of your operator and employees in the immediate area. Of course, it may also damage your forklift, forklift load, and surrounding equipment, costing you money and downtime.

Load Capacity Tips

• Your forklift’s maximum load capacity rating will be listed on the plate installed on a highly visible area of your forklift – usually on the mast at eye level to the driver.
• It’s a good idea to buy a forklift with a maximum load capacity that is higher than the biggest weight you intend to lift. As a rule of thumb, estimate the highest payload and add 10%.
• Ensure every forklift operator knows the maximum load capacity, the weight of objects being lifted, and the effect a forklift attachment will have on performance.

Forklift Attachment Safety Tips

When working with forklift attachments such as a forklift slipper, you need to ensure:

• You travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently.
• It is extremely important that operators are given training required to be able to competently manage the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment.
• The attachment must be suitable for your forklift, and must also be suitable for the load you are lifting
• The data plate on your forklift must allow for the use of the attachment

In summary, used correctly forklift attachments can turn a forklift into a highly versatile and useful machine. However, operators should always understand forklift capabilities with an additional attachment before they begun use and should always have training for the specific attachment.

View Bremco’s range of quality, Australian made forklift attachments, or contact the Bremco team today for friendly service and a fast quote.

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