Discussion:
Prevention of damages by fork prongs

Anyone with great ideas on how to prevent accidental damages by fork prongs when an operator handles cargo?

Here I am referring to the process of either stacking cargo together or taking them out. Sometimes, the operator may misjudge the depth of the cargo and would insert the fork too deep into the fork tynes/slots of the pallet skid and puncture the adjacent cargo. I have been tasked to find a solution to this.

I know that the operator should exercise care in forking in the first place and not simply 'jab' in the forks.
And it would help if there was a marshaller to guide but the reality of the situation on the shopfloor is that:

- not all operators are skilled
- not all are careful (some are just simply reckless)
- the limited manpower resource simply does not allow one the 'luxury of having another person to be a marshaller

While we can try to tackle each case by having better training, better policing and disciplining of operator, campaigns to encourage better driving, etc etc, it is still subject to human behavior.

So, people try to turn to technical solutions with the hope that it would be 'idiot-proof'. I have been tasked to find such solutions. Some have suggested painting some markers on the fork to guide the operator, some suggesting the use of electric pallet trucks instead.

So I am hoping to get some tested solutions from anyone to the issue I am faced with.

Anyone??
  • Posted 12 Nov 2007 13:41
  • Discussion started by chewingyu
  • Singapore, Singapore
Showing items 1 - 5 of 5 results.
Yes, we handle all kinds of cargo of various sizes. That's where the problem is. And my fleet of forklifts are fitted with 5-foot forks with a handful with 4 foot forks. My fleet size is over 100 units.
  • Posted 16 Nov 2007 12:09
  • Reply by chewingyu
  • Singapore, Singapore
There is a simple solution if you are serious about solving the problem. We have the tool to do this. You can contact me at our contact page on our web site: URL www dot unitloadhandling dot com.

But, this tool works if your drivers know whether they are about to handle a long or short pallet. If they do not know this, you are dreaming if you want a solution that can work without input.
  • Posted 15 Nov 2007 23:39
  • Reply by BrianS
  • Texas, United States
Intelligent solutions for unique applications
As EasyM stated, what are you handling... Shorter forks maybe?
  • Posted 14 Nov 2007 12:36
  • Reply by JonG
  • United States
I would need to know what type of product you are handling. Do the load dimensions vary? Are the loads on pallets?
  • Posted 14 Nov 2007 04:57
  • Reply by EasyM
  • South Carolina, United States
No one able to help?
  • Posted 13 Nov 2007 18:06
  • Reply by chewingyu
  • Singapore, Singapore

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