A Look at 5 Important Forklift Parts

Although all forklift parts are important, there are some that really stand out of the crowd. It also goes without saying that you need to get forklift oem parts every time your forklift trucks go for repairs or servicing. Let’s look at some equipment that is designed to avoid malfunctions and also ensure the safety of equipment, avoiding or minimizing possible accidents and injuries. Here are five pieces of such equipment.

The Operator

Before we come to any forklift parts, it is worth noting that the forklift operator is arguably the most important component in the functioning of any forklift. The operator is supposed to be trained and licensed. They must also receive all the extra safety training they and get in order to operate safely around job sites or in the warehouse. They must also know the workings of all the vital parts of a forklift. Most forklift accidents are due to operator error and making sure that your forklift operators are well trained goes a long way in ensuring safety.

Warning Indicators

The importance of the horn, lights, turn signals can never be overemphasized. They help prevent accidents by enabling the operator to communicate with other people working or walking around a job site or warehouse. It is important to make sure that your forklift trucks have fully functional warning indicators all the time. You can get good quality forklift warning indicators from forklift salvage parts providers.

Cockpit Controls

Another important part of a forklift truck is its cockpit controls. Whether or not they function properly can mean the difference between total safety in the workplace and an accident followed by an OSHA investigation. The interaction between the forklift and the operator is made possible by the presence of properly functioning cockpit controls. You can surely expect a hazard if there is any malfunction in the control or you assign an unlicensed person to operate it.

Tires

As with any other vehicle the tires are a very important part as they provide contact with the ground as well as traction. If you have balding, overly-worn, or cracked tires, you must take immediate action as you have a disaster waiting to happen. The situation is even more critical when it comes to forklift trucks as they don’t have any suspension.

Forks

Forklift trucks partly derive their name from the forks signifying their importance. They bear the weight of all loads that you haul and any compromise in their condition or configuration can spell disaster. Always take immediate action if you notice faulty or damaged forks. Know what to look for when you conduct regular inspections of your forks.

Trust Forklift OEM Parts

Whether you are looking for CAT forklift parts or any other brand, forklift salvage parts providers are a great place to shop and save. Make sure that the parts are forklift oem parts and that they are inspected before being put up for sale. Search online for reputable forklift salvage parts vendors and don’t forget to go through customer reviews.

Load Lifting Checklist for Forklift Operators

The safe operation of forklifts requires religious servicing with forklift oem parts and operator training and certification. While lifting and hauling loads may seem like childplay to amateurs, any mistake can easily lead to injury and damage. What remains important is making sure that shortcuts are always avoided when lifting loads. This blog shares some useful tips that you must leverage when lifting loads on a forklift.

What to do

• Always make sure the load is not projecting, top-heavy, unequally lifting or unstable
• The load should meet the rated forklift capacity. Take the load center and mask into consideration.
• If you have no choice but to carry an unbalanced load, the heavy end must be positioned against the heel of the fork arms.
• Re-stack the pallet before lifting if it is unevenly distributed
• Always take the destination of the load into consideration as the ideal loading position may not be so when unloading.
• Travel in reverse or get someone to help you with directions when transporting a load that obscures your vision.
• Routinely check the condition of important load supports such as pallet and container. Damage or deterioration can result in the sudden collapse of block stacking.
• It is advisable to avoid hauling more than one loaded pallet of any type and just one unloaded container pallet.
• Make sure that there is sufficient space below the load to insert the forks. The forks must also be adequately spread to ensure load stability.
• Employ special attachments such as reach forks, raw bars, and spreader bars to lift irregular loads.

Parting Word

Apart from ensuring the best safe practices are employed during the lifting and transporting of loads, there are several other measures that you must take to ensure optimum safety. Never hire an unlicensed person to operate a forklift and never skip maintenance when it falls due. Salvage forklifts parts help you keep your forklift trucks in tip-top condition and also help you save money. It is however important to make sure that you are getting forklift oem parts all the time. You can also get some form of warranty on your CAT forklift parts or Toyota forklift parts. Forklift Safety should always be your number one concern.

5 Key Warehouse Saety Principles

Apart from making sure that your forklift trucks are regularly serviced and fitted with forklift oem parts, and training your forklift operators on safety, there is a lot that you can also do to make sure that your warehouse is safe. A lot of preventable accidents occur in the workplace if appropriate measures are not taken to ensure safety. Minimizing or eliminating the risk of injury in the workplace also help reduce workplace disruptions. This blog shares five tips for improved warehouse safety.

Designate and clearly label hazardous zones
You should store all dangerous equipment and forklift attachments away in a safe and clearly labeled area. It is also important to establish and mark safe walkways. Panting black and white stripes on the floor of the designated areas allows employees to clearly notice it and keep away or exercise due caution.

Always use safety equipment
Always use hydraulic dollies or forklift trucks to lift heavy items in the warehouse. Employees must also always wear hard hats and protective eye-wear as and when required. You should conduct emergency drills and make sure that every employee knows all the emergency exits. The exits should also be clearly marked and sprinklers located on the roof should never be blocked.

Always go for safe lifting options
Whenever you need to haul a load, it is important to discover the best transportation option. In the event that lifting is the most feasible option, check the route for any obstacles and the availability of adequate space to maneuver. It is advisable to always go for push as opposed to pull, and make sure the load never obstructs the lifter’s view.

Eliminate all known and potential hazards
Always make sure that warehouse floors are free from oil spills, stray cords, and other hazards. It is important to make sure that employees appreciate the value of such practices and that they regularly check warehouse floors.

Wrap Up
Warehouse safety is very important and worth all the effort and time that goes into extra employee training, and installation and use of safety equipment, among others. When shopping for salvage forklift spares, make sure they are forklift oem parts and that they have been tested. You can also get some warranty when you buy CAT forklift parts, Toyota forklift parts, and Hyster forklift parts.

5 Most Common Types of Forklifts

Forklifts are one of the most used tools when it comes to industrial machinery. An essential for various business owners, they are needed to load and unload trucks, transport crates, drums, and other equipment in various environments that include construction sites to warehouses to recycling centers and junkyards, among others. You can also use a forklift in outdoor spaces to transport different materials. In fact, many owners utilize these machines, with a broom attachment, to sweep dock floors and parking lots. Although you can find a wide variety of forklifts at salvage forklift sales in Atlanta, finalizing a package that’s optimal for your specific requirement is not easy. Let’s look at five common types of forklifts that you should know.  

1. Counterbalance Lift

Counterbalance Lift is the most commonly used forklifts in warehouses, distribution systems, and even big box retails, where there’s a need for loading and stacking huge amounts of materials. Simple to use and engineered with the capability to operate in harsh outdoor conditions, this type of forklift is heavier on the back to counterbalance the load on the front. Counterbalance Lifts are available in propane, electric, and diesel trims and are one of the most comfortable forklifts to use, as they come with a comfortable seating position and easy controls. You can find a variety of such forklifts at salvage forklift sales in Atlanta.

2. Dockstocker Lift

Dockstocker Lifts are a type of counterbalanced trucks ideal for rough dock applications. They are engineered in a way that you can operate them either sitting or standing, due to which many people prefer them over other forklifts. The weight distribution of the lift type is similar to a counterbalanced lift, which it has more weight on the back to help the operator counter the loads at the front. As you can use multiple attachments with Dockstocker lifts, they are ideal for a wide variety of applications.

3. Walkie Truck

Walkie trucks, as the name is, are usually designed in a way that the operator has to walk while carrying the load behind them. There are a few models, however, that come with a platform that allows you to stand and move with the truck while operating it. Given their small size, walkie trucks are perfect for moving, stacking, and storing goods in compact environments. You control the machine through a handle throttle that lets you move the weight forward and backward, besides the ability to stop it. There’s also the Double Walkie trucks that have the capability to lift two pallets at once.

4. Order Picker/Cherry Picker

Cherry Pickers are typically meant to help operators move and store goods at medium to high levels. Suitable for maneuvering in narrow aisles, they are commonly used in warehouses for order picking. One of the most effective forklifts, Order Pickers, unlike other forklifts, allow you to raise and lower yourself while you operate them. This capability makes them an ideal choice for various environments where you need to store small articles at greater heights.

5. Reach Lift

If you are looking for a forklift that can help store goods at the highest levels, then a Reach Lift is the answer. Used primarily for indoor works, these lifts are built with forks and stabilizing legs, which allow reaching heights that other forklifts cannot. Like Walkie Trucks, Reach Lifts are available as Double Reach Lifts that, with its extended forks, allow you to move objects to greater heights, besides the capability to grab two pallets from one racking.

Purchase the Right Forklift at an Economical Price!

Forklifts are essentials for many businesses, as they cannot be replaced by other tools. They are required in manufacturing plants, lumber yards, warehouses, and construction sites. They are a significant investment that deserves proper maintenance and installation of forklift oem parts. Even if you buy used forklift parts at salvage forklift sales and auctions in Atlanta, make sure they have been tested, and if possible, accompanied by a limited warranty. 

The Importance of a Forklift Seat Belt

The need to safely operate forklift trucks can never be overemphasized. A lot of discussions have been devoted to covering various important practices that should be second nature to forklift owners and operators. This includes operator training, maintenance, and considerations when buying parts, whether new or from forklift salvage dealers. One thing that often tends to get overlooked during such discourse is the seat belt. This blog shares delves into the importance of a forklift seat belt. Why Seat belts?

There is no denying that seat belts save lives. That is why having a properly functioning seat belt and using it are not optional, but the law. A forklift seat belt protects the operator from, perhaps the greatest danger that they face, getting panicked and trying to jump when the truck is tipping over. Jumping when the forklift truck is tipping over often sees the operator getting crushed by a machine weighing tons.

Tipping Accidents in the US
Tipping accidents account for 25 percent of all forklift accidents in the US and lead to 40 fatalities every year. Forklifts weigh approximately 9,000 lbs, which makes them capable of splintering a leg or liquefying an arm to such an extent that there is no hope for repair even by the best surgeons.

During a tipping accident:

• Invest every effort to stay in the confines of the overhead guard 
• Brace the upper body and keep hands on the steering 
• Push your feet into the floor of the forklift while bracing the lower body in the seat 
• Note the point of impact and lean away from it 

Seat belt Regulations

Failure by an operator to use a seat belt may result in the employer being cited by the OHSA compliance officer under the General Duty Clause. OHSA CFR 1910. 178 does not address the seat belt issue directly. The General Duty Clause states that each worker shall furnish a state of employment free from known hazards that are likely to result in death or serious bodily harm.

Improve Workplace Safety

It is important to check how many operators are wearing their seat belts and risking their lives every time you walk into the workshop or visit a job site. The problem also has huge financial implications as the average fine for a citation is $1, 500. It is also important to go for forklift oem parts, whether you are going for new or used forklift parts. You can find all the important parts at heavily discounted prices from salvaged forklifts in Atlanta.

5 Tips to Operating a Forklift Safely

Safety is paramount when operating forklifts. Safety is maintained through the adoption of a proper service regime, use of forklift oem parts, operator training, and fostering the best safety practices in the workplace and at job sites. You must also make sure that you buy a forklift that meets your requirements whether you are shopping at showrooms or sites that provide salvage forklifts in Atlanta. To help you in your quest for workplace safety, we share a few tips for safe forklift operation.

Only qualified and licensed people must operate forklifts

Safety and the law dictates that only qualified and licensed people must operate forklifts or be employed as forklift operators. Over 85 fatalities occur every year from forklift accidents, making it important to make sure that you have eliminated or minimized chances of accidents by having qualified and licensed operators. 

Operators must wear appropriate clothing

It is important that operators wear the necessary safety clothing such as a hard hat, high visibility jackets, and safety shoes. The clothes must fit snugly to avoid any loose parts that may get caught in moving machine parts. 

Always maintain a safe speed

It is easy to get excited or caught up in the moment when operating a forklift. You must never go past the speed limit. Negotiate corners and all turns slowly to avoid tipping and also maintain full awareness of your surroundings. Any changes in direction stops should be done gradually.

Make sure loads are secure and stable

Inspect your loads every time for stability and damage before hauling them. Make sure the forks are sitting low and the load is tilted back to enhance truck stability during transporting. If the load is not safe or stable, do not move it. The loads should be stacked and positioned correctly across the forks and you must eliminate the presence of any overhead objects when lifting and stacking.

Keep the mast clear

Forklifts are only meant for carrying loads. You must never allow people to walk under or stand on forklift trucks or the load. It is also important to keep away your hands away from the mast’s cross members as you can be seriously injured in the vent of the mast getting lowered.

Go for forklift oem parts

The quality and health of the forklift truck also has a bearing on its safe operation. That is why it is important to always go for forklift oem parts whether you buying them brand new or hunting at providers of salvage forklifts in Atlanta. Salvage forklift parts should only be bought from dealers that test them and even provide some form of warranty. You can get great deals on Hyster used forklift parts or even CAT used forklift parts when you go for used parts for your lifts.

A Look At Fatal Forklift Accidents - Importance of Operator Training

Forklift safety is not something that you should take for granted. Despite the seemingly harmless appearance of the huge machines, they are responsible for about 85 fatalities every year. They also cause 35 thousand accidents that result in serious injuries and 61 thousand that give rise to minor injuries. That is why it is important to get the best forklift training before operating a forklift. In Atlanta, forklift training and licensing is not only a good idea but the law. According to the statistics, 11 percent of forklift trucks in the country will meet with some type of accident every year. The figures raise questions about the nature and quality of training being offered to forklift operators as well as the work processes being employed. 

What are the common causes of fatal accidents?
If you employ forklift operators, it means that your operators have a high chance of meeting with an accident of some sort. According to the ITA, about 90 percent of all trucks meet with one type of accident of the other in the lifetime, which is estimated at 8 years. Some of the common causes of fatal forklift accidents include but are not restricted to:

• Crushed by a forklift tipping over (42%)
• Falling off a platform on the forklift (4%)
• Struck or runover (10%) 
• Struck by a falling load (8%) 
• Crushed between two trucks (11%) 
• Crushed between a forklift truck and another surface (25%) 

Where do accidents often occur?
To help company owners and forklift operators understand the gravity of the problem and appreciate the need for forklift training, we look at the common industries that experience fatal forklift accidents.

• Manufacturing processes – 42.5 percent
• Construction – 23.8 percent
• Wholesale Trade Industry – 12.5 percent
• Transportation Industry - 11 percent
• Retail Industry - 9 percent
• Mining – 1.2 percent 

Way Forward
Whatever your industry, one thing is for certain, that you need to make sure that your forklift operators get the proper training. No industry is immune from forklift accidents, whether you use a new or salvaged forklift in Atlanta. It is worth noting that one common observation has always been that most of the accidents could have been prevented in the presence of forklift training, proper maintenance, and use of forklift oem parts. When buying your forklift parts from lift truck salvage sites, make sure they have been tested and also go for reputable training in the type of forklift in your fleet.