Forklift Attachments Oakland - Forklift attachments make a variety of jobs possible. Forklift attachments make many jobs safer, easier and quicker to complete. Forklift operators require training for each attachment they will be using as well as their general forklift training.
There are many non-hydraulic attachments and hydraulic attachments available for forklift attachments. They provide many benefits including decreasing fuel consumption, time, man-power, damage to stock and employee accidents.
Equipment Considerations
Forklift attachments can replace existing attachments or may be added to a machine that doesn’t already have one. There are many equipment factors to consider prior to adding or replacing any forklift attachments. Considerations include the carriage type, the forklift model, the capacity of the forklift and the number of hydraulic functions used to power the features of the attachment.
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. Online calculators are available from manufacturers of forklift attachment’s to provide estimates on every attachments’ lifting capacity. However, only the forklift manufacturer can provide accurate lifting capacities.
The first step before installing any attachment is to get in touch with the authorized local forklift dealer to request that that forklift brand is re-rated accordingly with the attachment. Once the forklift manufacturer has re-rated the machine, it will ideally have a new specification plate that is factory authorized. The upgraded specification plate replaces the original plate and needs to be installed with the new forklift rating showing.
Equipment Upgrades
When dealing with forklift attachments it is important to note that a forklift’s hydraulic function is made up of a valve on the forklift with a lever located close to the operator which provides two passages of pressurized hydraulic oil to power the attachment features. Hydraulic forklift attachments typically offer numerous features compared to the number of valves on the forklift. Not ever forklift attachment is hydraulic. In this circumstance, it is common to add one or more valves as needed. There are numerous ways a valve can be added. The manufacturers of forklifts create accessories to simplify hose and valve routing. 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. 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
Proper training must be obtained prior to fitting any forklift attachment. 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. The nominal load rating is determined with forks and a stock fork carriage. It is important to note that the real load rating may be significantly lower.
Secondly, the forklift’s center of gravity will be affected when any forklift attachment is added. This will reduce the forklift’s stability. Because the weight of the attachment will be placed in front of the forklift’s fulcrum point, it is necessary to drive the forklift as though it is partially loaded, even prior to picking up a load. It is essential that operators travel slowly and make gentle turns when using any kind of forklift attachment. Check the forklift’s capacity to ensure that every attachment is listed on the data plate.
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. 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:
Allows the operator to move the forks laterally, allowing for easier placement of a load without the need to reposition 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:
A rotator helps to straighten tilted skids and handle custom load requirements and fast 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:
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:
Slip sheeter or push-pull attachment lets the operator move slip sheets with a clamping option instead of pallets. It can pull the slip sheet onto thin and wide metal forks to facilitate pushing or loading. The attachment variations include “Save,” where the slip sheet is removed to be used again or “Standard.”
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:
The drum and storage bin tipper helps to transfer loose or liquid items into other containers.
MAN BASKET:
Lift platform meant for lifting workers and complete with railings and brackets for safety harnesses.
TELESCOPIC FORKS:
Allows operation in a warehouse using two pallet stacking where one shelf is placed directly behind another with no aisle between the two.
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:
Allow movement of a single pallet or platform or two pallets side by side. With the correct attachment/s a single forklift can be used for multiple specialist materials handling tasks alongside normal lifting tasks, thus reducing the need for owning a specialist unit alongside a normal unit and the larger running and maintenance costs associated with multiple units.
SNOW PLOW:
Originally designed for snow removal, snow plow attachments can be used to move other loose items.
SKIPS:
Skips facilitate fast and safe removal of waste to the proper waste or skip compactor. Skips are either a bottom-emptying model or a roll-forward type.
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
