The operational safety of your lift truck is a key feature of its drive ability. Most of the key information is on its data plate. Each manufacturer will include this information on the lift truck which should be clearly understood by the employers and their operators.

 

Training on the load capacity, load centre and battery weight of any truck you operate will provide the essential safety information to revent accidents such as tip overs and overburdening the truck, shortening lifespan. by folloing the information on the data plate, it will be less likely that the lift truck will break down before its scheduled servicing. When ordering parts, ensure the mechanic is informed of the correct type, model and serial number which is identified on the plate.

 

Operators must understand data plate details which include:

• Load centre
• Serial number
• Attachments
• Load and truck weights
• Lift heights
• Battery weights (maximum and minimum) for electric trucks
• Types of batteries
• Model and type of lift truck

 

Electric lift truck may have other information on the data plates such as:

• Battery weight maximum and minimums
• Maximum rating on the amp-hour capacity fir which the truck is equipped
• VOLTS (the voltage needed by the truck)
• Battery type

 

Never operate the lift truck without proper data plates since the truck configuration, capacity and weight on the data plates provides important operating information. If the data plates are inaccurate, missing or defaced on the lift truck, replacements can be ordered from the manufacturer ir the local dealer. They can also explain information on the data plate that may not be clear.

 

The chart and illustrations the plate will provide:

• The Weight of the truck. On electric vehicles, its weight is the truck weight less the weight of the battery
• Vertical load centre in millimeters and inches. There may be 3 different lift heights
• Type and material of tire

 

Drive tire width. This is measured from the outside edge to its other outside edge of the drive.

 

Data plates list the following:

• Truck model
• Type of construction of the truck
• Serial number
• Any attachments other than the standard upright model
• Tres
• Load capacity, listed in kg and lbs
• Maximum allowable centre if gravity if the load. This is offset from the centreline of the truck.
• Maximum lift height in millimeters and inches
• The horizontal load centre in millimeters and inches. There are up to 2 load centres.

 

There are legal requirements to operating the lift truck. Many of the critical components come from the data plate. All this information is critical to operating your lift truck safely. Know the weight of your truck and load before entering trailers, railcars or elevators to ensure that it can bear the load.

 

Forklift Online Courses from Allstar Enviro Safety are:

• Forklift Operator Safety
• Forklift Workshop for Construction