How to get the most from your forklift truck
Because forklift trucks are tough workhorses that are used to lift and transport heavy loads – often in arduous conditions – it is important that these machines receive special attention. They require regular inspections and careful maintenance to ensure high productivity, safety on site and extended service life.
Criterion Equipment specialists know how important it is to take good care of forklift trucks and they give important advice on how to do so.
“Maintaining your forklift fleet is essential to maximise uptime, enhance safety, extend the service life of equipment and keep operational costs down,” explains Brenton Kemp, Managing Director of Criterion Equipment, exclusive distributors of TCM forklift trucks in Southern Africa. “Apart from regular maintenance and safety checks, these machines also need professional load testing. It is a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that every company or owner of lift trucks, has these machines independently load tested annually and inspected every six months.”
Fork inspections
The metal fork attachments used on forklifts may seem indestructible, but eventually they wear out, just like any other machine component. Failure to carry out frequent fork inspections can result in a snapped fork or a dropped load, which is not only expensive, but also dangerous.
Forks are constantly subjected to abrasion, which can lead to reduced thickness of the fork blades. If blades are not the correct thickness, the fork attachment’s lifting capacity can be compromised. To prevent friction on the fork tips, operators should be encouraged to lift the fork attachment when the forklift is in use and when driving around a site.
It is critical that fork inspections are carried out frequently by trained personnel, with the aim of detecting damage, wear and tear or deformations that might impair the safe use of forklifts. With the correct use of the appropriate measuring tools, it is easy to carry out fork inspections on-site, efficiently and accurately.
To make sure every fork adheres to acceptable standards, Criterion Equipment recommends the use of three tools – a measuring card, which is used to measure the thickness of the fork’s heel and shank/face, a fork caliper to measure the fork thickness, angle of the fork bend and the latch space and a Vernier caliper,which measures thickness of the fork shank/face.
It is also important that operators never carry a load that exceeds the fork’s specific load capacity. The weight capacity of every fork attachment is indicated on the side of the fork shank/face – operators must be made aware of this.
Professional load testing and regular safety checks
The consequences of failing to carry out regular load testing and safety checks are dire for company owners, especially if an accident involving a forklift truck occurs. To ensure that pristine safety standards are maintained on site and to protect the well-being of workers, it is mandatory that professional examinations are carried out to identify defects in lifting equipment. Users need to be aware that where a load certificate has expired, it is illegal to use the uncertified forklift truck.
Although Criterion Equipment does not conduct load testing services inhouse, the team works closely with accredited Lifting Machine Entities (LME) which offer independent inspection, testing and certification services.
The company believes it is critical to ensure that the appointed load testing company is accredited with the Department of Labour as a Lifting Machine Entity and that the Lifting Machinery Inspector (LMI) performing the load test is also certified with the relevant authorities. Every load test must be done in accordance with SANS 10388 (inspection, test and examination of lift trucks) and performed at 110% of the rated capacity of the machine.
Thorough load testing not only indicates the safe handling load of each machine, which enhances safety on site, but testing also facilitates maintenance planning and effective budget management.
Quality replacement parts
The Criterion Equipment team also encourages customers to take special care when sourcing spare parts for forklifts from non-authorised suppliers. The initial investment in quality branded parts ensures greater safety, long term savings and higher productivity. Genuine replacement parts, which are designed for the specific forklift brand and model, ensure precise compatibility and guarantee optimum performance.
Sub-standard replacement parts may look the same as quality branded components, but some spares do not comply with a machine manufacturer’s stringent specifications. Inferior components often have a poor fit, inadequate tolerance and inferior welding, resulting in compromised quality, performance and safety.
Staff training
Statistics show that ignorance of safety rules can result in damages, injuries and fatalities, which is why it is important to ensure that operators are kept abreast of safety, operational and maintenance requirements and have the correct licence code for the equipment being used.
Criterion Equipment considers the safe operation of forklift trucks as one of the most critical aspects in materials handling in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centres, construction sites and transport facilities.
Garry Davies, National Sales Manager, Criterion Equipment (Pty) Ltd
Telephone +27 11-966-9700
