thats ok Jason i looked it up... actually ed brought it to my attention
very amusing considering

anyways, i know this is getting off subject again sort of...but
talking about that lift speed limiter function, i was just working on a mitsubitshi ESR20N this morning that has that same function, it only works if the truck is equipt with the height encoder though. This truck did not have one so that function was disabled. After studying the setup manual though it seems that feature is adjustable too. I thought it was a good idea for helping customize how the truck performs in the different performance modes. I think the logic software needs some tweaking though, it is alot like the zapi software and doesn't like programming changes too well, it took me several times to make the changes stick, even with the laptop software... uggh.

And getting sort of back on track here....
The lift chain adjustment from what was mentioned does play a part in positioning the forks especially when travelling, the manual does say to adjust them with level forks till they are few mm's off the ground but that is not included in the operators safety manual, it just states that if there is any problem with the lift truck to not operate it till service personel can repair it. But keeping them tilted in this way when they are fully lowered they will not drag the ground, also if tilted back.

When i worked for Yale they had the same philosophy and in their manuals had the same adjustment proceedure. So did Cat and even Mitsuibitshi i believe has the same adjustments. This would help prevent dragging the forks heels and rubbing them off so quickly. Not all mfg's are exactly the same on this but they all seem to follow suit on alot of things. Best way to know for sure is to RTFM :o)

And speaking of RTFM
i did look in one manual i was using today in the operators safety section and it does actually say to travel with the forks "level or slightly tilted back, never forward".
so... ok i apologise for that incorrect statement earlier and i'll give him that one but thats the only one he gets ;o)

I also took the liberty to look in the hyster operator safety manual and it has a paragraph that states "A lift truck is less stable when the forks are raised, with or without a load. Most operators can understand the need to be careful when handling loads. But some operators do not realize that a tipover can occur with an empty lift truck because similar dynamic forces are present. The lift truck will actually tip over easier when empty, then when loaded with the load lowered. Backward tilt, off center load, and uneven ground will aggravate these conditions."

Now it does go to say in a later paragraph to lift and lower the load with the forks level or tilted slightly backward. Same as mcfa's recommendations on thier travel position but then again in yet another paragraph in the "traveling" section it states When traveling with the load lowered, keep the load against the carriage, the forks retracted and the forks tilted fully backward. This action will help keep the load on the forks and give good forward and side stability.
The next paragraph states :
Travel with the lift mechanism raised only enough to clear the ground, base arms or obstacles. When any part of the mast is raised, with or without a load, the stability of the lift truck is reduced. The ability of the lift truck to resist side tipping can be less for a lift truck that is not carrying a load than it is for a lift truck that is carrying a load in the lowered (travel) position. Therefore, a lift truck without a load is more likely to tip sideways, especially in a turn, than a lift truck with a load, provided the load is carried in the lowered position.

So what hyster is saying is when lifting and lowering its "level or 'slightly' tilted back" , the same with mcfa.
when carrying a load it full tilt back.
So based on hysters theory on backward tilt, the truck is less stable with the forks tilted back, loaded or unloaded (even when lowered) unless it has a load on it.

if you would like copies of these i can send them to you if you like


oh... theres no need to apologise jason... what was said was said...
people can make up their own minds about it.

Good luck on your venture on that site.