Tough as nails
From port logistics and quarries to chipboard handling, heavy industry or wind turbine construction – that’s where the really big forklift trucks are used. VETTER BigForks are essential to ensure that they perform their heavy-duty tasks to the best of their ability. Highly resilient, low-wear and resistant, the “jumbos” among the forks are perfectly adapted to the special features of their challenging operating environment and are therefore the reliable tool for safe logistics.
Tough operating conditions, rough terrain, the heaviest loads - these are the scenarios for which the BigForks from VETTER are made. In their element - the safe transportation of exceptionally large and heavy loads - they are the reliable tool for every forklift driver and therefore used where other forks reach their limits.
Specialized for extreme applications
Neither fully loaded sea containers nor 50 ton stone blocks in a quarry pose a challenge for BigForks. Whatever the conditions in a busy harbor: in wind and weather, in salty sea air, huge containers are transported safely from A to B on BigForks. Components with a weight of up to 38 tons are safely moved on BigForks during the assembly of ever larger wind turbines. In all these applications, BigForks are unmatched with their high load capacity, long service life and reliable safety.
Best production for best products
The sheer size of the BigForks is impressive: with blade lengths of 5,000 mm and back heights of over 2,000 mm, the forks can carry up to 120 tons/pair. VETTER manufactures these large forks with cross-sections of up to 400 mm width and 150 mm thickness on one of the world's most modern production lines using the upsetting and bending process.
This special forging process reflects all the experience of the fork manufacturer, e.g. it can be used to form the OptimaForkHeel. This special geometric feature in the fork heel not only increases safety, thanks to optimized stress distribution, but it also extends the service life of the BigForks significantly. The tight tolerances that can be achieved with the upsetting and bending process in production ensure consistent quality at all times and therefore offer the necessary high level of precision during use.
The strength, toughness, purity, hardness and workability of the fork steel are perfectly matched in VETTER forks. The large forks are made from the special grades VQ32+ or the high-performance steel VQ1300. The latter is particularly wear-resistant and is characterized by an even higher dynamic and static load capacity. Sophisticated heat treatment guarantees optimum material properties for tough applications. The BigForks comply with ISO 2330: they are designed to withstand a dynamic load of one million load cycles at 25 percent overload and a static load of three times the nominal load without permanent deformation.
Heavy metal with additional benefits
All SmartFork applications are also available for BigForks: side or front cameras integrated into the forks for optimum visibility, occupancy sensors, target laser in the fork tip, tilt indicator and much more offer the user safety and efficiency in daily use.
Another bestseller is the CROC coating on large forks. This involves applying a polyurethane coating on top of the blade, which prevents the load from slipping and also absorbs vibrations. An additional effect: sensitive loads are protected against damage.
The range of solutions for individual fork applications is virtually unlimited.
