Forklift Fork Extensions - Lift truck extensions are a great choice when you find you have to reach further than your typical forklift allows. Moreover, if you find that a load exceeds over what you could safely lift on your lift truck, an extension can help you carry out your task safely.
Increasing Forklift Output
Extensions would provide extra capacity and support to the forklift whenever lifting or moving containers, pallets, or really heavy cargo. Moreover, the extensions will add more length to the existing blades enabling the person operating it to be able to reach farther than before. Utilizing lift truck extensions saves a company the need to purchase separate machinery in order to do the task. This could save possibly thousands of dollars while adding more productivity and efficiency options utilizing the equipment you already have.
A lot of extensions just slip over the typical forklift forks. Extensions can be bought to fit forks which have widths of 4, 5 and 6 inches. It is important to measure your extensions to be able to obtain a right fit. Knowing that extensions have an inner width which is half an inch wider as opposed to the size stated is vital to ensuring the correct fit. When obtaining your extension size, make sure it is equal to your fork's width. For instance, if you have forks which are six inches wide, you would utilize an extension that is six inches wide.
OSHA Standards
There is safety standards established by OSHA that standardize the length of extension that you can use. Based on the guidelines, extensions can not be longer than 50% of the original blade length. Abiding by those rules will help to sustain a safe operation. A yellow powder coat finish is added to the metal lift truck extensions in order to avoid rust. The two most common measurements for forklift extensions in the business are sixty inches and seventy two inches, even though, various lengths are obtainable.
Securing Mechanism
Securing mechanisms are presented in two choices. The first option secures the extensions onto the forklift with one pull pin. This is the rapid release method. The second and safer alternative is the safety loop which is welded on and provides a more stable attachment of the extension. The lift truck extensions are offered either tapered or non-tapered for nearly all pallet and container loads. Triangular extensions are used whenever transferring cylinder loads.
Cylinder Loads
Loads that have coils, pipes or drums are considered to be cylinder loads. Extensions for cylinder loads are even made of steel. They are built to fit forks up to 2" thick and that are 4" to 5" in width. Attached in place making use of a locking bar, they slip off and on with no trouble. Triangular extensions differ in length from fifty four to sixty inches.
Safety Measures
It is always a good plan to utilize safety measures when dealing with whichever kind of industrial machinery and lift truck extensions are no different. Checking your lift truck extensions before using it is likewise a great habit to get into. After the extensions have been placed onto the lift truck, the attaching mechanism must be double checked as well. Personal injury or damage to the load can occur if the extensions were to become unfastened and fall off. Adhering OSHA regulations will even help to be able to guarantee the safety of the person operating it as well as people working in close proximity.
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