Determining truck load capacity can be rather difficult. There are a multitude of factors that come into play when determining the load or carrying capacity of your fork lift. While many lifts have an initial indication of their maximum capacity, modifications or changes to the truck can change what the forklift can safely carry. While it is possible for the average person to work through some of the calculations necessary for determining what your truck can carry, they are difficult and rather monotonous. They are also prone to error, which can result in a number of difficulties for your crew and your business.
Instead of risking safety and OSHA violations by calculating your truck load capacity by hand, consider using an application, such as the one developed by Professional Forklift Engineering Services (found here). This tool was designed by certified engineers with years of experience in forklift capacity rating. You can trust the software to accurately provide the statistics you need on the capacity of your truck and have your calculations checked br professional engineers. The utility relies on published manufacturer's data, providing a rating far within standard acceptable tolerances. If you make any modifications to your forklift at all, having these capacities recalculated is essential.
Some of the factors that must be considered when determining truck load capacity include:
1. The forklift model
2. The tires installed on the forklift
3. The forklift's mast
4. The carriage
5
. The sideshift distance of the forklift
6. The rotational torque
7. The horizontal load center
8. The vertical load center
9. The attachment specifications
10. The fork specifications
There are many other factors that one may also need to consider when determining the load capacity of your truck. Rather than risking these calculations with data that may be inaccurate or out of date, you should consider using the truck load capacity calculator found at www.LiftTruckCapacityCalculator.com.
Many experienced forklift operators rely on their experience to choose the right attachments and modifiers for their truck. While experience will allow these individuals to get their selection "about right," the only way to be absolutely sure that everything is up to specification is by using a tool that takes all of the variables into consideration. Avoiding unnecessary accidents, injuries, and even deaths is everyone's responsibility. Don't leave the safety of your crew up to gut instinct when an easy to use tool is available. You might save two minutes by choosing the attachment based on your hunch, but what if those two minutes lead to someone becoming injured or worse?
It is no longer necessary to lose track of the capacity of your truck. With the tool provided at LiftTruckCapacityCalculator.com, you can understand how any change in your truck affects its capacity. The tool can even determine the capacity of a truck with worn forks, which is a particularly difficult task, even for those with years of experience.
Stop leaving your company and your crew at risk. Stop worrying about whether or not your trucks are up to OSHA standards. Check out the tool right now and find out how it can help you. |
There are a multitude of factors that affect the lifting capacity of a forklift and these parameters, which are indicated on the capacity data plate, include:
- Make or Manufacturer
- Model
- Power Source
- Battery Weight (for electrics)
- Tire Type
- Tire Size
- Mast Lift Height
- Mast Carriage Type
- Attachment(s) Type
- Attachment(s) model
- Load Center of Gravity (CG or LC)
If any of these parameters are changed, particularly the attachments on the forklift carriage or the load center, the capacity plate should be checked for accuracy to ensure safe load handling.
Forklift attachments include anything that is attached to the front carriage of a forklift or is attached to an attachment on the forklift. A typical forklift attachment configuration might include a hang-on side shifter and two forks. In this case, if the forks are removed and longer forks are added, the capacity of the machine could be drastically reduced. Or if the forklift is used to pick up a fork mounted attachment, such as a drum handler or fork extensions, then a capacity data plate must be changed or added to reflect the new configuration. OSHA forklift safety regulations state that a forklift must have a legible capacity plate to reflect any attachment used on the lift.
Lift height or maximum fork height (MFH) has a significant effect on a forklift’s load carrying capacity, and forklifts with high masts will have a greater carrying capacity at lower lift heights than at the maximum lift height. For this reason forklifts with very high masts may have a dual capacity rating on the data plate; a maximum capacity up to a mid level lift height, and a lower capacity rating at the maximum lift height. This allows the forklift operator to work with heavier loads at low heights, i.e. loading and unloading trucks, cross-docking, etc., while using the same forklift to put away lighter loads to high storage locations.
Because a forklift is using leverage to lift a load, any condition that adds weight to the front of the forklift and causes the load center (LC or CG) of the load to be moved further away from the forklift will contribute to a reduction in the residual carrying capacity of the machine. Forklift attachments can cause these reductions, as well as the dimensions of the load and the load handling conditions. Load center typically refers to the horizontal distance to the load CG and is typically half the length of the load for symmetrical objects. To illustrate how attachments and load CG’s can affect residual carrying capacity, consider for example that a particular forklift with only forks on the carriage is rated at 5,000 lb capacity @ 24” load center on the data plate. This forklift will only be rated at 1,270 lb when equipped with a particular 8 foot long fork mounted jib boom because the boom adds weight and moves the load center out to 96 inches. In this case the forklift may employ a dual load center capacity rating on the capacity plate indicating a greater lifting capacity (2,750 lb) at a 4 foot load center and a lower capacity (1,270 lb) at the 8 foot load center.
Small changes in load center can also greatly affect the carrying capacity. Consider the capacity of the same 5,000 lb forklift with 48” forks and rated at a 24” load center, drops to 3,660 lbs when 72” fork extensions are employed to lift a 6 foot long load.
The main thing to consider is that every forklift has a legible capacity plate that accurately reflects the attachment configuration being used at the correct load center for the load being lifted and contact Professional Forklift Engineering Services at www.LiftTruckCapacityCalculator.com to check your lift capacity and get a professional engineering (PE) certified capacity rating plate on your forklift today.
"Employers who are cited for repeat violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to workplace safety and health standards. Deficient forklifts and improperly handled chemicals can lead to serious injuries or death,"said Diane Turek, director of OSHA's Chicago North office in Des Plaines. "All employers must take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards from the workplace."
Four repeat violations with proposed penalties of $132,000 have been cited,including exposing workers to hazards by allowing them to operate forklifts that remained in service even after deficiencies were noted; exposing workers' eyes, faces and hands to corrosive chemicals without providing suitable eyewash facilities; and failing to develop an emergency response plan and conduct fire extinguisher training. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The company was cited for the same violations at numerous facilities between 2006 and 2011.
Central Transport also has been cited for eight serious violations with proposed penalties of $30,800, including failing to train and evaluate forklift drivers, maintain forklift name plates in legible condition, label hazardous material containers, maintain the mechanic shop maintenance area in a dry condition, provide workers with training on hazardous chemicals and provide material data safety sheets for workers' reference. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Finally, the company has been cited for five other-than-serious violations with $2,000 in proposed penalties for failing to maintain the OSHA 300 injury and illness log, maintain fire extinguishers, illuminate exit signs and unlock a fire exit door. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CentralTransport_77120_1205_11.pdf*.
Central Transport, a national freight company based in Warren, Mich., has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Chicago North area director in Des Plaines or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Chicago North office at 847-803-4800.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
