Forklift Forks: Tips On Design And Safety

When forks were first engineered and used in the 1920s, they became an instant industrial hit because of various uses. It has a very simple design yet the advantages in terms of versatility and efficiency were many so forklift forks never left the scene. Today, we see several different forklift models but the mechanism and approach remains the same.

What are Forks?

Forklift forks are the basic and integral part of a forklift truck. These are made of heavy duty steel bent at a 90-degree angle and positioned at the front part of a cab or truck. The forks can measure anywhere from 48 to 96 inches in length, with a width between 4 to 12 inches depending on the type and a height of 48 to over 96 inches. The forks generally function to carry pallets and loads by slipping underneath. The fork is connected to a hydraulic or mechanical apparatus which lifts it up anywhere from a few inches to several feet up. The forks are highly durable and tough able to lift loads of up to 25,000 pounds with the right counterbalance weights.

Fork Designs

There are virtually hundreds of forks available in the market today but all function very much in the same way of lifting and transporting different heavy loads. There are various tapers, sizes and classes. Standard tapers are able to carry usual stack pallets and regular items. Full tapered ones are capable of reaching further underneath several stocks at a time. There are also polished and chiseled point forks that are conveniently helpful when lifting significantly heavy objects off the ground. Almost all forks are powder coated for extra strength and ruggedness.

Safety Standards

Forklift forks should be inspected carefully by the manufacturer to ensure that everything meets the OHSA requirements. There are different methods of inspection as well like magnetic particle testing, dye penetrating testing or sonic testing which verifies the right measurements and composition of the equipment. The forks are then classified accordingly depending on the make. There are some with extra forged heels for added stability while others are fully forged. Precision is very important especially along the angle to accurately measure counterbalance weight.

Fork Inspection

Forklift truck operators need to inspect all industry forks on a daily basis to see potential hazards and minimize risk. Cracks and distortions should be checked. Scratches and paint marks are normal but an expert eye is needed to truly see malformations. Every six months, the company should have a trained professional thoroughly inspect all forklift forks for cracks, distortions and deformations. For cracks, welding jobs are immediately required. Distortions can be straightened out by the actual source or manufacturer. Other minor blemishes and scratches can be treated with grinding and polishing methods.

Fork Tips

Never overload the forks since the greatest danger lies in improper handling and weight miscalculation. It is always better to work less than the maximum weight capacity indicated. Maneuvering and loading difficulty increases with more weight and load. Forks should only be repaired by trained and qualified engineers. Always take the forks back to the manufacturer for any repairs or replacement. Any modifications regarding the forks should be verified and approved first by the supplier to ensure safe operations. If you intend to add any fork attachments or accessories, always consult the supplier and company supervisor first. Forklift forks should be checked before, during and after any procedure.