Forklift attachments are designed to be used in conjunction with a forklift to help facilitate the lifting and transporting of materials. As such, they can be used in many different environments, including warehouses, factories, and more. They are designed to make your job easier and more efficient by improving productivity.
Forklifts are commonly used in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, loading docks, nurseries, lumberyards and farms. The type of fork attachment that you choose should be based on the type of material that you will be handling.
Types
There are several attachments that can be used with your forklift. Here is a list of some of the more common ones:
- Sideshifters: This attachment moves the forks laterally without turning the front wheels of the forklift. Sideshifters can help you to get closer to the load or place it in a position where there is not enough room for the forklift to operate.
- Backrest Extensions: This extension allows you to lift loads that are longer than standard forks. It helps to prevent loads from falling off during transportation.
- Fork Positioners: A fork positioner allows you to adjust the width of the load without moving either the truck or the load.
- Fork Spreaders: These attachments allow for you to separate two pallets at once so that they can be transported together on a single load.
- Telescoping Forks: These forks allow you to adjust your forks while they are loaded so that they may fit into narrow spaces or reach farther distances than standard forks.
- Block clamps: With this type of forklift attachment, you can easily grip and move large pallets of concrete blocks in an efficient manner.
- Drum/rotator: If you need to move heavy drums, this rotating attachment will allow you to easily move them without straining your forklift or your employees.
- Pipe grapplers: You can use this attachment with your forklift if you have lots of pipes that need moving around the warehouse.
- Tilt carriages: Tilt carriages allow you to tilt your load without tilting the forks themselves. This is useful for moving items that are awkwardly shaped or large and bulky.
These Attachments Provide Users With a Wide Variety of Capabilities
Standard Attachments
All forklifts come standard with forks and a carriage. The forks attach to the carriage and are used to pick up pallets, crates and other heavy equipment. The carriage rests between the two forks and holds them together. The carriage has hooks where it attaches to the forklift mast. The mast is a vertical structure on the front of the forklift that allows it to raise and lower its load.
Specialized Attachments
To perform specialized functions, forklifts can be equipped with additional attachments such as carts, booms and buckets.
Carts attach to the forks like a pallet does and allow you to move bulky items such as engines or furniture without damaging them. They come in different sizes for different objects. To attach a cart, slide it over the forks just as you would a pallet. Once attached, use your forklift’s controls to lift it off the ground and move it where you need to go.
Boom lifts are similar to cranes except that they are mounted on the front of the forklift. They are used for lifting heavy weights and can be adjusted for height and angle depending on your needs. Booms come in three types: straight, telescoping and articulating. When attaching a boom lift, make sure that the pins are securely fastened before you lift anything with it. When using a boom lift, be sure to follow all safety guidelines and keep the load close to your body at all times. Also make sure that the load is secure inside the bucket or basket before lifting it off the ground.
Buckets allow forklifts to scoop dirt or other loose materials. The bucket attaches to the forks, allowing the material to be picked up and transported from one location to another.
Advantages of Forklift Accessories
Versatility
Forklift attachments are often designed for use with multiple makes and models of forklifts, allowing users to share attachments between various types of lift trucks. This allows operators to utilize their equipment more efficiently and provides flexibility in the event that one piece of equipment breaks down or becomes unavailable due to maintenance issues or scheduling problems. Some attachment manufacturers offer custom-built units that are designed specifically for use with a specific model of forklift.
Increased Production
These attachments provide a means to increase production through many different avenues. Attachments allow for one forklift to perform multiple tasks, reducing the need for multiple forklifts or other equipment. They also allow workers to safely handle loads that would be too heavy or awkward to handle manually. This allows for increased production with less physical strain on employees.
Safety
Forklift accessories often provide greater safety than handling materials manually or using a traditional lift truck configuration. For example, carpet poles typically offer greater control over a load when moving carpet rolls than by manually operating the mast controls on a conventional forklift. This is especially important for larger diameter rolls, which can easily topple. Additionally, carpet poles eliminate the risk of an operator being struck by the load if it falls from an elevated position.