Loading the Forklift

Aside from the forklift itself and the environment in which you operate it, the loads you carry have an enormous impact on the safe operation of your vehicle. Even if it requires you to make additional trips, do not overload the forklift. Know the capacity of your forklift and never exceed it. Operating your forklift outside its recommended weight limit is not safe.

Follow these guidelines when you load a forklift:

• Secure the load so that it is stable. Do not carry damaged merchandise unless it has been secured by wrapping or banding.
• Center the load as nearly as possible. Use caution when you handle off-center loads that you cannot center. Distribute the heaviest part of the load nearest the front wheels of the forklift.
• A forklift's capacity is rated for a specified load center. If the load is off-center, improperly distributed, or oversized, it may exceed capacity and unbalance the forklift.
• Use the load extension backrest to prevent loads from falling rearward (toward the driver).

When approaching a load, proceed with caution. Follow these guidelines when the forklift is loading and unloading:

• Always approach the load slowly. If you must brake heavily or abruptly, you are traveling too fast.
• Always come to a stop in front of the load (8 to 12 inches in front of the load). Make sure the forks are at the correct height.
• Set the direction control to neutral.
• Stop and set the brake before you raise or lower the forks.
• Before you raise the load, make sure there is adequate overhead clearance - after the load is elevated, your visibility will be limited. This is especially true when stacking in tall columns or working in a confined space like a truck trailer. There must be sufficient headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, and so forth.
• Use the inching pedal to creep the load to the stack.

Understanding how the forks, mast, and carriage operate together to move loads takes practice. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Use extreme care when tilting loads. Do not tilt forward with forks elevated except when picking up or depositing a load. When stacking or tiering, tilt backward only enough to stabilize the load.
• Use extra caution when handling loads that approach the truck's maximum load capacity:
  • Tilt the mast back and position the heaviest part of the load against the carriage.
  • Travel with the mast tilted back to keep the load stable.
• Tilt the mast forward cautiously when positioning the load onto the stack. Level the forks before inserting them into the pallet.
• The forks must be placed under the load as far as possible.
• Slide the forks into the pallet until they are fully under the load. The forks should be at least two-thirds the length of the load.
• Be careful that the forks do not go through to the other side where pallets are closely stacked.
• Center the weight of the load between the forks. Adjust the forks to distribute the weight evenly. Note that forks are adjustable either manually or with a fork positioner.
• Tilt the mast back carefully to stabilize the load.
• Pick up an off-center load carefully. There is a greater danger of a tip-over.
• Never travel with the load tilted forward. Tilting the load forward increases the load distance and makes the load less stable.

To learn more about Forklift Safety visit our Forklift Safety Online Training web page.