forklift attachment manufacturer

 

When it comes to choosing your forklift attachments - whether you’re looking to add to your collection with a new type of attachment, or to upgrade one that has seen better days - it’s important to carry out a proper risk assessment to ensure the suitability of any new attachment for its intended purpose.

 

With almost half a century of valuable experience in this field, our team have decided to share a little of their collective wisdom and compile a handy list of questions to ask of your attachment supplier - helping you to make the right choice and keep your operations running smoothly, and safely.

 

Design - Is the Forklift Attachment Fit For Purpose?

 

An attachment can alter the way a forklift truck operates. To ensure safe and efficient use, do ask your supplier for their recommendation on which attachment design best suits your intended use.

 

For example, where there is potential for a ‘swinging load’ and movement of the attachment, a ‘fixed length’ design would work best when choosing a lifting jib, and a wide carriage backplate can offer a safe, stable lifting option by reducing sideways movement.

 

Of course it also goes without saying that the attachment you choose should be specifically designed for the task in hand. Using an attachment that isn’t fit for purpose can prove inefficient, damage goods, or even create a significant safety hazard.

 

Testing - Has the Attachment Undergone Adequate Testing? 

 

Forklift truck attachments undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and capacity. Do pay attention to details like the lifting capacity of an attachment and ask your supplier for advice on whether it is compatible with your truck.

 

If the attachment is rated with a higher lifting capacity than your truck can handle, not only can this cause excessive wear and tear to your truck, but overloading your truck in this way can quickly become very dangerous.

 

Certifications - Is the Attachment Fully Certified for its Intended Use?

 

Do check with your supplier that your new attachment has been manufactured in line with strict ISO 9001 procedures, and that it is supplied backed up by a full Health and Safety Certification.

 

If you intend to use the attachment or material handling equipment in a potentially hazardous or explosive atmosphere, they must also be ATEX Certified in line with EU directive 94/9/CE (also known as the ATEX directive). These are a set of stringent regulations which ensure the equipment won’t cause an explosion during routine operation in hazardous areas comprising a potentially explosive mix of air, dust, clouds and flammable gases - for example by ensuring the use of spark-proof stainless steel.

 

Warranty / Guarantee - How Long and What Does It Cover?

 

All new products should come supplied with some form of guarantee or warranty. Do ask about the length of warranty supplied with your new attachment - and pay attention to what it actually covers. What course of action will the supplier take in the event there is something wrong with the attachment, and how will this affect your ongoing operations?

 

Attachment Training - Do They Offer This?

 

All forklift attachments should come with a full set of operating instructions, however this isn’t always enough.

It can prove very useful to have an expert come on-site and offer your employees hands-on training in the safe use and handling of a new attachment. Not only can this ensure it is used correctly to minimise unnecessary wear and tear and safeguard the longevity of your new product, but it can also offer invaluable safety training.

 

Check out our full range of forklift truck attachments on the website, and if you’d like any support, advice or guidance from our team of experts in choosing the right product for your needs, do get in touch via our live chat.