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Panthertrainer:

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Joseph,

Can you contact me some time soon, I wanted to talk with you about what you wrote on pushing loads and also some other things regarding training in certain states. My email is [email address removed] Thanks!

I recall a guy on this site and in a forum thread, a few years ago that was extolling many merits of the ball hitch that he invented for use on any forklift to tow carts around. He felt strongly everyone could use one & he would be sickening rich within a year or two.
Then he learned most forklift companies won't approve (non in the States for sure) such a devise.

johnr j:

The same thoughts crossed my mind when I read the article. Which forklift manufacturer would approve the use of such a snow plow attachment? There is potential for forklift damage and an increased potential for forklift tip-over due to the dynamic impact forces imposed on the stability triangle.

Any forklift manufacturers care to comment?

Damage to the forklift by pushing/bulldozing has been previously addressed. Damage to truck trailers is also possible by pushing a load on them.

Most dry van type trailers in use today are of a monocoque construction. The trailer is basically a unitized body and the floor is supported similar to a suspension type bridge. There are no support beams running the longitudinal length of these trailers. The only beams are those that attach the suspension (wheel components) to the trailer.

Indexing loads (placing a load on the trailer floor and pushing the load forward with each additional load added) can damage the structural integrity of these trailers. Indexing can also cause damage to pallets and other shipping materials.

Do not index loads on suspension - type trailers. These trailers are not designed to take the dynamic impact forces imparted by such an activity.

Amazing timing. In this weeks FLA news some one invented another fork mounted snow plow attachment for probably the 50th time.
It would be interesting to here their response when asked "What forklift company approves the use of this "snow plow?" & "It do you have it in written form? My bet that a new version of the Irish jig would created.
For the sake of poltical correctness this is not a dig at the - I like Irish people , my very best friend for 47 years is a McKenna, I love to watch & listen to the "Celtic Women", drink a pint or two or more on St. Patrick Day (this year I going to go for drinking my age of Buds, 'cause I certainly cannot not shoot a round of golf that would equal my age) & the jig is a lot of fast footwork.

A destroyed front end and broken transmission.... "But you told us it would be ok, and gave us a stamp of approval"...Don't think any industrial machine manufacturer wants to hear that whining

I have to agree with John, (and this does seem off the original topic) forklifts are designed to "pick up and carry", and not "push".

Asside from the safety concerns, one other concern from a manufacturers stand point is they would be condoning abuse. Thereby would run a great risk of paying for some very expensive warrantly claims for damages to the mast rollers, the upright channels, mast to axle mounts, etc. These components & others all take an impact pounding when they are used as "bulldozers" that they are not designed to do. Don't think they wish to do that in a saturated - competitve market place.
On the lighter side, if they allowed it after a major redesign the manufacturer would need to rename them from LIFT trucks to NUDGERS. Bulldozer are designed to "bull doze" & make ugly lift trucks.
End users need to Pony Up and buy the right equipment for their pallet moving or revise their material handling methods. Most bulldozing I've seen is when the customer has a forklift that is too small for the job or they are very lax in their operator saftey training, company procedures/policies & periodic review of operator skills.

New to this site so if this is posted in the wrong forum I apologize. Have sort of a dilemma that I know the answer to but need a little input from others.

We all know that "Bulldozing" or pushing a load with a forklift is a "DO NOT DO" procedure.

I have not found any forklift manufacturer or safety and health organization, including OSHA although their position (directive) is a little vague, but no one will put a stamp of approval on this procedure.

With that said we all know and have seen this procedure being performed. Some of the reasons may have a little validity to them but still not acceptable.

So, here is my question (request from a client). If we can eliminate or reduce the risk factors associated with "Bulldozing" can we then allow it in a controlled and limited field? For example; the risk factors are:
* Uncontrolled load
* Visibility
* Forklift / Pedestrian concerns
So we:
* Designate and limit the area where "Bulldozing" may take place; e.g. directly at the loading end of the trailer.
* Area is "OFF LIMITS" to any pedestrian traffic.
* Load is pushed in a "Straight Forward" direction only, into the trailer.
* All loads are wrapped and secured.

Is anybody out there willing to accept these precautions and then allow "Bulldozing"?

Look forward to any comments, positions suggestion.

Also, if you can, not sure if this site does it but please send me your comments to my email address which is: [email address removed]

Have a safe day.