Forklift Attachments Overview

A forklift is a powerful machine that can be used around the workplace for different tasks and purposes. Forklifts are normally used to transport loads on pallets or contained in crates making the movement of goods much easier. While forks are the most noticeable and common forklift attachment, many other attachments and accessories are available that may be better for specific employment.

Forklifts are so much more than a vehicle used from one place to another for transporting pallets. Attachments on your machine are not only for basic jobs and activities, but can also be used to boost performance. You not only optimise the role of the machine by connecting attachments or accessories, but also likely decrease fuel consumption, the time it takes to transfer a load, and human power.

Many forklift attachments fitting securely on the forks will perform a variety of functions from cleaning for example with brush/sweeper attachments or load shifting with forklift skips and buckets. Attachments really make your forklift much more versatile and cost effective.

Forklift Attachment Safety Guidelines

It is important to remember that the load capacity is decreased when you use an attachment on a forklift and the centre of gravity of the forklift is affected, rendering it less stable than it would be without the attachment. This is because, prior to picking up your load, you place weight in front of the fulcrum point (the point or support on which a lever pivots) of the forklift. Therefore, even before picking up the load, it is appropriate to drive the forklift as though it were partially loaded.

For this purpose, moving at a slow pace and making turns slowly and gently is advisable when operating with any attachment. It is extremely important that you ensure that the training needed to allow you to be competent in the fitting, operation and removal of the attachment is provided before fitting any attachment.

Before using an attachment on a forklift, the following tests must be done:

• The attachment must match the truck to which you are fitting it and must be sufficient for the type of load you are lifting.
• It must be correctly connected to the forklift with an appropriate locking system.
• The data plate on the truck must permit the attachment to be used.

The primary take away from attachment protection is that before you start operating it, you should always know what the forklift capabilities are with an attachment on, and you need to have training for the particular attachment before use.

Dangers of Forklift Attachments

• Heavy duty automotive machines are forklift attachments. As such, employees, especially those who are not properly trained in their safe use, may be potentially harmful to them.
• Forklift attachments modify the vehicle’s performance. They can alter the centre of gravity, impact visibility and decrease the load ability of the forklift. Therefore, even operators who are highly trained in the use of their forklift need to undergo detailed training on each form of attachment they are allowed to use.
• Therefore, even operators who are highly trained in the use of their forklift require specific training for any form of attachment they are required to use.
• Overloading and tip-over threats are the most common dangers associated with forklift attachments.
• The weight of the attachment also reduces the forklift’s lifting power. So, if a forklift is rated to lift a certain load of weight, it may put the uninformed operator at risk by adding an attachment that reduces lift power.
• By shifting the load farther away from the normal balance or fulcrum point, adding an attachment may also raise the load centre of the forklift, raising the risk of tip-over accidents and dropping loads.

Dangers of Forklift Attachments

• Heavy duty automotive machines are forklift attachments. As such, employees, especially those who are not properly trained in their safe use, may be potentially harmful to them.
• Forklift attachments modify the vehicle’s performance. They can alter the centre of gravity, impact visibility and decrease the load ability of the forklift. Therefore, even operators who are highly trained in the use of their forklift need to undergo detailed training on each form of attachment they are allowed to use.
• Therefore, even operators who are highly trained in the use of their forklift require specific training for any form of attachment they are required to use.
• Overloading and tip-over threats are the most common dangers associated with forklift attachments.
• The weight of the attachment also reduces the forklift’s lifting power. So, if a forklift is rated to lift a certain load of weight, it may put the uninformed operator at risk by adding an attachment that reduces lift power.
• By shifting the load farther away from the normal balance or fulcrum point, adding an attachment may also raise the load centre of the forklift, raising the risk of tip-over accidents and dropping loads.