Forklift Operation Flashcards
What are 4 factors that affect the stability of the forklift?
1) Centre of gravity
2) Stability triangle
3) Load centre distance
4) Forklift rated capacity
What is the centre of gravity (CG)?
The single point at which an object is balanced in all directions.
What is the stability triangle?
A triangle drawn between the drive wheels and the pivot point of the steering axle (back wheels in middle).
The CG must stay within the area represented by the triangle to be stable.
The CG of the forklift can move outside the stability triangle if…
- Name 5 reasons
- If the load is picked up on the tip of the forks
- The load is tilted forward
- The load is tilted too far back when raised
- The load is wide
- Forklift movement causes the CG to shift
What is the Load Centre Distance?
The distance from the front face of forks (or load face of an attachment) to the centre gravity of the load.
The stability of a forklift is affected by a number of factors including:
- Load size, weight, shape and position
- Height to which the load is lifted
- The amount of forward or backward tilt
- Tyre pressure
- Speed and momentum created when the forklift is moving, turning or coming to a stop
- Uneven surfaces and inclines
What 5 steps should you remember when placing a forklift load down?
1) Approach the load destination slowly
2) Raise the load (where required) to ensure clearance
3) Lower the load onto the stack or ground
4) Tilt the forks slightly forward
5) Look over both shoulders and reverse to remove forks, making sure you don’t scrape on the pallet
If refilling stock into racking or shelves, you need to make sure of what 4 things?
1) Load to be stacked on a firm level surface
2) Heavy loads go at the bottom of the stack
3) Stack not too high as to become unstable
4) Bottom load needs to be able to support the weight of the loads going on top
