

The maximum height should not exceed 2 metres therefore the driver’s seat is normally an open seat or a cabin with a steel frame. The front driver’s seat is behind the mast. On the other hand, internal combustion trucks, petrol or diesel engine forklifts, are more frequently used for outdoors. For example, low noise and zero emission electric trucks are used mainly indoors and warehouses. Counterbalance forklifts can be used for all possible applications and in many different ways. This forklift enables the lifting, transportation and stacking of goods. Two-thirds of 90 inches gives you a minimum fork length of 60 inches and a maximum fork length of 90 inches.Counterbalance forklifts, also known as a forkift trucks, fork trucks or forklifts, are the most common type of material handling equipment and are characterised by a lifting unit, which consists of a mast and, typically, a forklift fork with 1.2 metres distance between the forks. To illustrate, let’s pretend that you need to handle loads 90 inches in length. At the same time, you’ll want to make sure that the load is always longer than the forks to avoid damaging other loads, pallets or shelving while stacking. Using this number as a reference, you’ll need forks that are at least 2/3rds the length of your longest load. To determine how long you’ll need your forks to be, begin by accurately measuring the length of your loads. Fork LengthĪfter you’ve decided what type mount and blade type best suits your needs and application, you’ll need to select an appropriate fork length and capacity. This is accomplished with a two stage taper and a partial polish so that the forks slide in between two sheets of lumber without causing damage while maintaining enough friction to ensure the lumber does not slip off the forks once loaded. These features allow the forks to slide underneath a variety of surfaces without puncturing, tearing or otherwise damaging the load.Ī hybridized version of the two previously mentioned blade types, two-stage lumber forks include are wider and thinner than pallet forks to enable the operator to chisel between sheets of plywood. This is achieved with a thin, fully tapered blade, a square tip with a top or bottom bevel and a smooth, polished finish. More specialized than standard pallet forks, polished and tapered forks are designed to facilitate chiseling operation. In terms of design features, pallet forks are relatively thin with a flat top, a slight bottom taper (starting about halfway down the blade) and a blunt tip to avoid damaging pallets and/or loads while stacking. As the name suggests, pallet forks are designed to handle pallets and skids. The first thing that comes to mind when most people think about forklift forks are also the most commonly used type: pallet forks. with carriage bar spacing at 25 inches.įor the most part, there are three basic blade types that you should be familiar with: pallet, polished and tapered and plywood forks. Class IV – rated for loads up to 17,500 lbs.with carriage bar spacing at 20 inches and, Class III – rated for loads up to 10,000 lbs.Class II – rated for loads up to 5,500 lbs.Class I – rated for loads up to 2,000 lbs.The carriage classification system divides carriages – and their associated forks – into four classes based on carriage bar spacing and their maximum rated load capacity: Carriage Classesįorks are further classified by what type of carriage they’re built to fit. In contrast, pin type forks include a round eyelet at the top of the shank that slides around a carriage shaft and are used in applications with very large, heavy loads. Hook type forks utilize a pair of metal hooks that allow the forks to slide over the carriage and are used in applications with lifting capacity up to 14,000 lbs. This classification system splits all forks into 2 two primary categories: hook and pin type forks. In light of that, we’ve summarized some of the basic features of the fork below: Mount TypesĪt a basic level, forklift forks can be broadly classified by how the fork is attached to the forklift carriage. To fully understand the variety and potential uses of forklift forks, it’s important to understand the basic variations. Since the invention of the forklift, forks have evolved from a general purpose tool into a multifaceted spectrum of tools, each designed for a specific use and application. Yet the most important tool used on a forklift is perhaps the most unassuming: the forks. The widespread use of the modern forklift in industrial environments is aided by a number of specialized tools and accessories.
