There are many specialists among the industrial trucks that are perfectly adapted to one task and one area of application. On the other hand, there are versatile all-rounders that can be used for numerous everyday tasks. A single vehicle is often sufficient for this – because the range of tasks a forklift truck can perform can be significantly extended with attachments.
ONE VEHICLE – MANY FUNCTIONS
Wherever large loads have to be lifted, transported and stacked on a regular basis, a forklift truck is in use. Conventional forklift trucks (as front, reach or pedestrian trucks) therefore already perform central functions for logistics.
In many companies, however, there are situations in which this basic functionality is no longer sufficient. However, if more is required than lifting and stacking, a new industrial truck that specializes in a specific task is not necessarily needed. With the right attachments, conventional forklift trucks become genuine all-rounders with a wide range of applications – and at a considerably lower cost than buying a vehicle.
We present some options with which a forklift truck can be converted for various tasks in the company and used more productively.
BE CAREFUL WITH THE ATTACHMENT
Cost and productivity benefits as well as the comparatively simple handling of attachments for forklift trucks are strong arguments for the use of such extensions. Whether with or without a mechanical, hydraulic, electric or pneumatic drive – there is a large selection of extensions for industrial trucks.
Because the attachments can either be attached directly to the load carriage or picked up with the fork, it is easy to switch between the desired functions.
Observe safety and vehicle characteristics
Despite all the practical advantages of such attachments for forklifts, safety aspects are even more important due to the extended functionality. This is because the extensions not only change the possible applications but also the driving characteristics of the equipped forklift trucks.
Please note in particular:
- The attachment shifts the overall center of gravity of the industrial truck forwards, increasing the distance between the load’s center of gravity and the back of the forks.
- The load capacity is sometimes significantly reduced by the weight of the attachments.
- The dimensions of the vehicle change, which is particularly important in environments with little space for maneuvering.
- Depending on the attachment, visibility for the driver may be restricted.
Security is also ensured already in the run-up to the actual use use. Correct attachment of the attachments and the necessary training for the new functions are essential in order to be able to use the extensions safely and reliably in day-to-day operations.
IMPORTANT ATTACHMENTS FOR FORKLIFT TRUCKS – AN OVERVIEW
The range of attachments for industrial trucks is now very large, meaning that even standard forklifts can be equipped for very specific tasks. We present some of the possible functions that are available for expanding the areas of application of forklift trucks.
Forks and accessories
Forks are part of the basic equipment of forklift trucks, which can be used to carry out many tasks involving loads that can be driven under, such as pallets or pallet cages. With the right accessories, more demanding lifting, transporting and stacking situations can also be solved efficiently. Possible extensions include
- Fork/fork extensions for loads that exceed the usual dimensions. If many different load sizes have to be transported, extendable telescopic forks are a practical alternative because the fork extension does not have to be constantly replaced.
- Fork positioners or spreaders, which can manually or hydraulically adjust the forks to the width of the transported goods, have a similar function.
- Push-out forks allow one-sided loading and unloading of loads in two rows of shelves.
- Sideshifters allow the forks or forks to be moved sideways, which improves precision when picking up or setting down loads. Sideloaders go one step further and turn conventional front loaders into sideloaders, for example for use in narrow rows of racking.
- Clamp pushers or push-pull pushers help to pick up or set down goods without a pallet. The attachment fixes the plastic or cardboard base of pull pallets.
- Load holders with a rubber coating and variable contact pressure ensure greater stability when transporting unstable loads such as drinks crates.
- Multi-pallet forks significantly increase the width of the fork, allowing several pallets to be picked up at the same time.
Work platforms and baskets
Transporting people on the forks of a forklift truck is prohibited due to the high risk of accidents. With a work platform or basket, however, this is not a problem. Personnel baskets generally have a load capacity of around 300 kilograms and therefore offer sufficient capacity for two people plus tools and materials.
This not only allows smaller goods to be retrieved from high shelves, but also maintenance or servicing work to be carried out at greater heights. Special safety requirements apply for such use of the forklift truck to ensure a secure connection between the fork and attachment or a non-slip standing surface.
Grippers, pliers and clamps
Lifting is no problem at all for forklift trucks, but the forks are not designed for gripping round objects. This function is also available for forklift trucks with grippers, tongs or clamps – and in different versions.
Available are for example:
- Log grapples for wood processing companies,
- Bale tongs or clamps, for example for recycling companies,
- Drum grippers and lifters for storage and transport containers (for drinks, fuels and lubricants, chemicals, etc.),
- Layer grippers for beverage wholesalers or logistics companies,
- Package and panel tongs as well as prefabricated part tongs for the construction industry.
There is also a range of different clamps that can be used to move stones, equipment, rolls, sacks, etc. As the load capacity is over 15 tons in some cases, companies have plenty of scope to use their forklifts for tasks other than the usual ones.
Buckets and containers
Forklift trucks are not designed for transporting bulk goods as standard, but this can easily be changed with suitable buckets or containers. These are available for a wide variety of goods and in different designs, for example as tipping containers or folding floor containers.
The same applies to attachable buckets for forklifts. Here, the range extends from classic bulk material buckets to special variants such as corner buckets with teeth and interchangeable cutting edges, bite buckets, heavy material buckets with double grippers and many more.
The forklift truck in operation can therefore easily replace an excavator or front loader after the conversion.
Turning and tilting devices
The usual range of tasks of a forklift truck includes
- setting down and picking up a load,
- lifting and lowering a load and
- the transportation of the load.
In many situations this is sufficient, in others a greater radius of action is required. This includes, for example, the ability to rotate, tilt or turn loads. This is possible with the appropriate attachments, which also have high load capacities.
In this way, even high loads can be moved very precisely and the load carrier can be rotated up to 360 degrees in some cases. Such solutions are ideal for emptying containers or large crates. Barrels, garbage cans and similar containers can be lifted and emptied safely with special drum tippers.
Crane hooks, crane arms and lifting beams
Cranes are usually used to lift heavy loads from above. In fact, forklift trucks can also perform this function, although they are generally designed for lifting loads that can be driven under.
Crane arms (either single or telescopic) or lifting beams can also be fitted with various suspension devices (load chains, shackles, suspension links, eye load hooks, etc.). Although the range of functions of forklifts can be extended with such attachments, there are certain limits to the possible applications.
This applies, for example, to the lower load capacity due to an extended lever arm or the dead weight of the crane arms – factors that must always be taken into account for safe use.
Other attachments
In addition to the attachments mentioned here, there are numerous other options for making a forklift truck even more versatile. The extensions turn the forklift trucks into real specialists for special tasks.
Lifting mandrels , for example, make it possible to pick up and transport round or rolled loads such as rolls of wire, short tubes or paper rolls with a stacker. The mandrel is attached directly to the back plate of the lift carriage. Variants such as coil shoes, C-hooks with carrying mandrel or prism drawbar devices ensure safe transportation with the forklift truck, even for loads with challenging shapes.
Winter maintenance and clearing work can also be carried out by forklift – with the right attachment. We have already mentioned shovels, and there are also proper snow blades for clearing snow. Caution: However, these may only be used up to a speed of 6 kilometers per hour without official approval. If gritters or spreaders are attached to the rear, the truck becomes a complete snow clearing vehicle.
Sweepers help to keep the company premises clean and tidy without the need to purchase an additional vehicle.
EXPLOITING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF FORKLIFT TRUCKS
Attachments for forklift trucks are practical and cost-effective solutions for companies where the industrial trucks are already in use. In contrast to additional vehicles for special tasks, the extensions are considerably cheaper – both to purchase and to maintain. maintenance, servicing and storage.
However, it is important to consider the effects of the attachments on performance (e.g. reduced load capacity) and safety (changed center of gravity). Then the trucks can show their full potential as versatile all-rounders in daily operation.
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