Inspect Your Forks to Prevent Safety Hazards

Forklift forks are the hardest working part of a forklift, yet they are often mistreated and forgotten. As insubstantial as it may seem, neglecting forks could make them dangerous. A simple 10% reduction in blade thickness results in 20% reduction of capacity.

Most operator training manuals and training classes hardly mention the forks, but it is important to provide proper maintenance and inspection of forks to make sure they perform safely and productively. Under normal conditions, forks should be inspected daily by the operator with a visual inspection as well as being professionally inspected every six to twelve months to look for cracks, distortion, blade straightness and wear, among other things.

The best method for a fork inspection is a fork caliper. This adjustable go/no-go device measures four contact points on the shank and blade of the fork. The reading determines the wear of the fork for safety and usefulness.

Forks should not be loaded over the capacity of the forklift. The forklift operator should be aware of the capacity of the forks, since overloading will lead to bending or weakening of the forks. Following these guidelines should help prolong the life of your forks.

Fork repair is not recommended. When forks get broken or damaged, the best thing to do is replace them with new forks in the correct capacity for the model. Never try to weld or modify the forks for repair or adjust the use of the forks, The heat causes the forks to appear normal; however, there is undetectable damage from the heat.

For assistance with your forks, any forklift part or service, contact Shoppa's Mid America today!