If you use a forklift, it’s not just a forklift anymore. When it comes to add-ons with attachments, your forklift can handle a broader range of materials and be more efficient. When putting it another way, an attachment may make it possible for a lift truck to do just about anything with a cargo it’s attached to. Let’s take a deeper look at the choices available when it comes to choosing a forklift attachment. Forklift attachments provide many advantages, but their effectiveness may vary depending on your business and job duties. Here are a few of the most popular attachments in Australia, along with a brief description of how they work:
- Bales that don’t utilise pallets may be handled with the bale clamp, as expected. Consider products like hay, cotton, and wool as examples. These clamps may come in handy in the agriculture and industrial industries.
- Forklifts can use a carton clamp to take up pallet-free containers such as cartons or boxes of goods or big appliances.
- The distance between two forks may be adjusted using a fork positioner, making it simple to deal with various pallet sizes. Distributors, warehouses, and food manufacturers all use this kind of connection.
- Between a fork positioner and a clamp, there’s a fork clamp. It can position the times as well as clamp down on strangely shaped loads.
- A paper roll clamp protects the paper from being damaged while being handled by paper mills and printers.
- When dealing with textiles, bar arm clamps are a standard tool. Bar arms come in a variety of lengths and widths to accommodate fabric rolls.
- Pallets may be eliminated with the use of a push-pull clamp. You may save shipping expenses and speed up product transportation by using slip sheets instead of pallets that slide into a push-pull clamp. This kind of connection is widespread in the beverage and food manufacturing sectors, for example.
- Loads may be emptied into other containers using a fork rotator, which allows forks to be rotated—industries including trash and recycling, food and beverage production, and agriculture use this technology often.
These attachments are primarily used in Australia and are easy to find with good sellers online. Over 30% of individuals in Australia involved in this business suggest having all the pieces of equipment since you never know when you might require a specific one.
Forklift Attachment Buying Guide: What to Look for?
There are a few considerations to examine when purchasing a forklift attachment:
- Stability: A forklift’s stability may be drastically altered by an attachment. The weight and centre of gravity shift as a result, so keep this in mind if you’re lifting large objects.
- Capacity: Forklifts with attachments are always considered partly laden when calculating their capacity. Forklift attachment weight is deducted from the forklift’s power, so bear this in mind when you decide on the size of your loads.
- Type of load: Keep in mind that particular attachments, such as pallets, bales, or containers, are exclusively intended for use with those kinds of cargoes.
Are These Attachments Available for Rent?
Absolutely — and rental attachments are used by numerous sectors since they are cheaper and more flexible. Attaching files is more complicated than just connecting them and getting started. When a forklift attachment is added, OSHA mandates that the driver be retrained in safety and health procedures. Due to how the attachment may influence stability and balance and change the proper load size, forklift attachment training is required. Rentals are an excellent method to expand the possibilities of your fleet as long as you keep these considerations in mind.
Enhanced Efficiency
Utilising a variety of forklift attachments has the primary advantage of increasing worksite productivity. Before choosing which forklift attachment is best suited for a particular application, it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each forklift attachment. A Forklift attachment needs extra hydraulic lift truck operators and is not recommended, although improved productivity is.
Lower costs of labour
Forklift attachments not only boost production but also save labour expenses. Reduced labour expenses have a beneficial impact on the company’s total costs. In addition, by using a forklift attachment, contractors can do more with their forklifts, which reduces the need for more equipment in the long run.
Improved Security
Forklifts aren’t as hazardous as cranes, but they put the workers who operate them in danger. Contractors may improve workplace safety and give their workers greater confidence by properly selecting forklift accessories. Accidents with forklifts are frequent, but they may be prevented by utilising attachments developed especially for these vehicles.
Author: Alison Alurie