Forklift Fork Extensions - Lift Truck extensions are a excellent choice when there is a need to reach further than your current forks would allow. In several situations when you have a load which exceeds more than could be securely lifted on your forklift, an extension could help you carry out your task safely.
Increasing Lift Truck Productivity
Lift truck extensions provide the extra capacity and support considered necessary whenever picking up long pallets, containers or extremely heavy loads. What's more, the extensions add more length to the forks which helps the operator to be able to reach greater distances. Making use of lift truck extensions saves a business the need to buy individual machinery so as to finish the job. This can save probably thousands of dollars while adding more productivity and efficiency options using the equipment you already have.
A lot of extensions just slip on the typical lift truck forks. Extensions can be acquired to fit blades which have widths of 4", 5" and 6". It is essential to measure your extensions to be able to obtain a correct fit. Knowing that extensions have an inner width which is half an inch wider than the size stated is paramount to ensuring the right fit. Whenever buying your extension size, make sure it is equal to your fork's width. For example, if you have blades that are 6 inches wide, you will use an extension which is six inches wide.
OSHA Standards
There is safety standards established by OSHA that standardize the length of extension that you could utilize. According to the guidelines, extensions cannot be longer than 50 percent of the actual fork length. Abiding by these rules will help to maintain a safe operation. A yellow powder coat finish is added to the metal lift truck extensions to prevent corrosion. The two most common dimensions for lift truck extensions in the trade are sixty inches and seventy two inches, even if, various lengths are existing.
Securing Mechanism
Securing mechanisms are existing in two choices. The first choice secures the extensions onto the forklift with one pull pin. This is the rapid release mechanism. The second and safer alternative is the safety loop which is welded on and offers a more dependable attachment of the extension. The lift truck extensions are available either tapered or non-tapered for nearly all container and pallet loads. Triangular extensions are utilized whenever transporting cylinder loads.
Cylinder Loads
Loads that have coils, pipes or drums are considered to be cylinder loads. Extensions for cylinder loads are also made of steel. They are built to fit forks up to 2" thick and that are 4" to 5" in width. Attached in place utilizing a locking bar, they slide on and off without difficulty. Triangular extensions vary in length from fifty four to sixty inches.
Safety Measures
It is always a great plan to utilize safety measures when dealing with any type of industrial machinery and forklift extensions are no different. Checking your lift truck extensions before use is also a good practice to get into. Once the extensions have been placed onto the lift truck, the securing mechanism should be inspected too. Personal injury or damage to the load could take place if the extensions were to become loose and fall off. Following OSHA regulations would likewise help so as to guarantee the safety of the individual operating it and those working close by.
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