How To Get Your Forklift To Lift More Weight
Do you need to lift something that is heavier than your forklift's capacity and you're wondering how to get your forklift to lift more weight? No matter what you read about tricks to try and get your forklift to lift heavier loads, don't be tempted to do it because:
It's not safe. Learn more
It could damage your forklift. Learn more
It's illegal to make a forklift lifting capacity modification that's not approved by the forklift manufacturer. Learn more
You may also be interested in these related topics.
If you are looking for a forklift that will lift the loads that you need it to, contact us.
How To Get Your Forklift To Lift More Weight? Think Again!
How To Get Your Forklift To Lift More Weight? Never try to lift above your forklift’s capacity
1. It's not safe.
Don't lift loads that exceed your forklift's capacity:
Your forklift's maximum capacity is set in order to keep you and your load safe. If you exceed the maximum capacity and carry a load that is even slightly heavier than your limit, you are risking having your forklift tip over which is incredibly dangerous.
Forklift tip-overs can injure or even kill someone:
Forklift tip-overs are dangerous for many reasons, including:
Your operator could be injured or even killed
Other workers could be injured or killed if the forklift or its load falls on them
Your load itself could get severely damaged or destroyed costing your company a lot of money to replace it.
You could do damage to your facility itself (i.e. racking knocked over or damaged, walls damaged if a heavy load hit them, etc.)
Having your forklift lift more weight can result in injuries or even death
Additional factors that can cause a tip-over:
Even if you are carrying a load that is at the maximum capacity or slightly under, you could still tip over if:
Your load shifts for some reason
You have to brake suddenly
You are moving your load on a slope
You get hit by a crosswind
It is always safest to carry loads that are under your maximum capacity limit.
2. It could damage your forklift.
Trying to get your forklift to lift more weight could do irreparable damage to your forklift
Not only could workers get injured and products get damaged if you try to get your forklift to lift more weight, but you could also damage your forklift itself.
Forks break:
The forks on your forklift are designed to lift a maximum weight. If you try to lift more than that amount you will risk bending or even breaking your forks.
Metal wears out faster:
If you constantly exceed the capacity of your forklift the metal parts of your forklift including the chains, forks and kingpin, located near the rear axle, will experience metal fatigue and will wear out at a faster rate than if you lift only recommended weights.
Stress on the hydraulics:
Your hydraulic system is also designed with a maximum weight capacity. Lifting over this capacity will put extra stress on your hydraulics and cause it to fail or wear out faster as well.
3. It's illegal to make a forklift lifting capacity modification that's not approved by the forklift manufacturer.
How to get your forklift to lift more weight? Make sure you do it legally
According to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O, section 7, if you want to make any forklift lifting capacity modifications, it needs to be approved by your forklift's manufacturer.
Any alteration that you make to your forklift that could affect its rated capacity or compromise the safety of your operators has to be approved by the manufacturer in advance.
If you are unsure about whether or not an alteration is okay or not, it is best to consult with a qualified forklift truck professional who can help you make that decision. In addition, any modification that you make needs to be done by a qualified engineer.
What is meant by capacity and data plates?
The data plate contains important information about your forklift
Capacity:
The load capacity is the recommended maximum weight that your forklift is designed to carry. Lifting above the recommended capacity of your forklift is dangerous and will damage your machine.
You should figure out ahead of time the weight of the loads that you want your forklift to be moving and lifting prior to purchasing a forklift and make sure that you get one that can handle the weights that you need it to.
Data plates:
The data plate is a metal plate attached to a forklift that contains important information about the particular forklift, including:
Load capacity
Fuel type
Model number
Serial numbers
Manufacturer's name
Truck weight
Tire type and size
Safe ways to lift heavier loads.
How to get your forklift to lift more weight? Rent heavier equipment
Rent equipment:
If you only need to have a modification for a one-time load or for a short period, then consider renting the equipment you need instead of modifying your current equipment. You can rent material handling equipment that is designed for the lifting that you need for both short and longer-term periods.
For example, Forklift Hub offers daily, weekly, and monthly contracts for renting a vast array of forklifts for both indoor and outdoor use with lifting capacities from 3,000 to 80,000 lbs, at highly competitive rates. We'll even deliver it to your location and offer you our rent-to-own program if you decide that you need the equipment permanently.
Purchase Equipment:
How to get your forklift to lift more weight? Purchase different equipment
If you need a forklift that can handle heavier loads than your current equipment can on a more regular basis, you should consider trading in your current forklift for one that has a higher capacity.
For example, at Forklift Hub we take trade-ins and we have a large selection of quality pre-owned forklifts that you can choose from. Our pre-owned trucks have a great 30-day warranty and we also offer financing on both our new and used forklifts.
In addition, you could also consider purchasing a new forklift. Depending on the brand that you choose, you may find that purchasing a new forklift will give you better equipment that will last longer for you than buying used.
For example, our Hangcha forklifts are priced significantly lower than other brands yet they are just as good, if not better. Often it makes more sense to purchase a new Hangcha forklift than another pre-owned model.
Why Choose Forklift Hub?
If you are looking for the best new and used forklift truck dealer, contact Forklift Hub. We fully inspect and certify every used forklift before we sell it to you and we offer incredible warranties, so you can be sure you are getting a high-quality vehicle. We'll accept your old model as a trade-in and we also offer financing.
High quality and affordability are extremely important to us, so that is why we have teamed up with Hangcha to bring you the best forklift equipment at a significantly lower price than what you will pay with the competition.
If you are in the market for a forklift, contact Forklift Hub We have:
The best-priced forklifts in the industry
Forklifts with the best warranty in the business
The widest range of brands in the market
We are also a full-service forklift dealership. In addition to new and used forklift sales, we also provide:
Highly trained technicians to service all of your lift trucks
Service on all makes and models
Forklift preventative maintenance programs to ensure your trucks are running as efficiently as possible and are compliant with current safety regulations
A full line of forklift parts for any make or model and safety equipment
You can trust Forklift Hub for all of your forklift-related needs. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
