Powered Industrial Trucks eTool: Operating the Forklift


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Traveling and Maneuvering

Forklifts are less stable on turns and grades and can tip over - For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at (202) 693-2200.

Figure 7. Forklifts are less stable on turns and grades and can tipover.

Load Composition

As the distance increases from the shoulder, the moment, or apparent weight increases so that a 5 pound box seems to weigh 12 pounds - For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at (202) 693-2200.

Figure 6. As the distance increases from the shoulder, the moment, or apparent weight increases so that a 5 pound box seems to weigh 12 pounds.

Notice the center of gravity of the load and truck system shift forward toward the front wheels as the load is engaged - For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at (202) 693-2200.

Figure 12. Notice the center of gravity of the load and truck system shift forward toward the front wheels as the load is engaged.

The forklift teeters and finds its balance point. As the load is added to the seesaw, the moment is increased on the right side. The loaded forklift reverses and finds a new balance point at its combined center of gravity - For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at (202) 693-2200.

Figure 18. The forklift teeters and finds its balance point. As the load is added to the seesaw, the moment is increased on the right side. The loaded forklift reverses and finds a new balance point at its combined center of gravity.

For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at (202) 693-2200.

Types & Fundamentals | Operating the Forklift | Understanding the Workplace | Training Assistance

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