Forklifts are essentially used to budge material in the service and manufacturing industries. Presently the technology of forklift has evolved to offer customers a significant choice with LPG variant. Industries are now into majorly adapting the use of LPG forklifts as they are cost effective and takes minimal time to refuel.

Working with LPG forklift most of the time is trouble-free and riskless. But in spite of several significant designs, the stated safety cannot be taken for granted. Nor should it be forgotten that it can take the small errors to cause huge difficulties in future.

Forklift LPG Cylinder Installation Process

Uninstalling Process of Forklift LPG Cylinder

How To Store LPG Cylinders Safely?

General safety tips to know while storing LPG cylinders in the storage are:

LPG cylinders for forklifts come in varied sizes. Most preferably 20 and 33 pounds fill sizes. When you select the cylinder storage, make sure you know the diameters of the LPG bottles, so you can appropriately identify the storage option.

What Safety Tips To Be Followed?

LPG cylinders for forklifts were basically designed to use the forklifts easily and safely. If things are going well, it does not mean that care should not be taken. Safety is the priority in order to prevent hazards and accidents that simply shouldn’t be present. Following the safety tips ensure in using the forklift in a safest and best possible manner.

Forklifts… It’s not the hottest conversation topic. How often do you go to the pub with your mates and the conversation starts with “You wouldn’t believe the forklift I saw today!?”? It’s also unlikely that it’s a common discussion in the lunch room at work or at the family dinner table. It’s not until you need a forklift you begin to realise the different options available and might not understand why there are so many.

In the previous article we identified key points to look for when inspecting a second hand forklift. A simple guide that can be applied to various makes and models to visually identify the condition of a forklift.

Finding a suitable second hand forklift doesn’t need to be complicated. This simple 8 point checklist can be applied to any forklift and the information should be provided with any unit advertised for sale. Different combinations of fittings and features on a forklift is what determines the suitability of a unit for specific handling applications. As you revise these 8 points apply each step to your own business and identify solutions specific to your handling needs.

Speak to a reputable supplier and find out which brands are supported in your area. One thing that you can count on when owning a forklift is that it requires ongoing maintenance so it’s important you know how accessible support, service and spare parts are in your area.

Second hand forklifts have had previous owners. Find out if the forklift you are looking at has records available. These records are available upon request and reputable suppliers will have these available. These identify that scheduled services were completed as well as ongoing issues with that particular unit. The history and type of work that it has been used for assists with determining if previous issues may be problematic for you.

This is not indicative of quality or condition but can be applied usefully in second hand forklift research. The model indicates, like a car, when the forklift was manufactured and the type of forklift it is. Use the model number in your research to find out how the forklift has been reviewed by first time owners. You can also use this as a guide to see if the second hand forklift advertised is being disposed of because it’s past the warranty period and is being replaced by a new model. This is a good indication that the forklift has up to date service records and has been reasonably maintained by the owner.

Fuel has a simple rule of thumb and the decision is based on the location that you will use the forklift. Apply the R&R principle – Relate & Replenish

Relate reminds you to consider where the forklift will be used mostly as this determines fuel choices that are suited for specific applications. For example; if a forklift will mostly be used indoors handling fresh produce a battery electric forklift is the most suitable fuel option.

Replenish is a reminder to consider how accessible fuel is in your area. If your operation doesn’t have onsite fuel access you will need to know where the closest source of fuel is and how quickly it can be replenished. This point is particularly important to note in some remote and regional locations.

Generally speaking the most common masts are 2 stage or 3 stage. The mast that is fitted to the forklift determines the absolute maximum height a load can be lifted as well as clearance heights for entry points. The specifications on a mast indicate the maximum height it will reach. Know exactly how high you need to reach. Second hand forklifts may also advertise features such as side shift or full free lift. When these options are fitted to a mast it may be advantageous to you. Here’s a simple explanation to distinguish what they mean;

Sideshift – the forks move left and right without having to raise or lower the mast. This is helpful for operators that need to strategically place loads in designated spaces. The forks can be repositioned without having to move the entire forklift. Ideal for high racking.

Full Free Lift – the forks can be moved and positioned at any time. The mast doesn’t need to be fully raised or lowered to move the forks and provides extra movement when handling loads.

Look at the space that the forklift needs to operate in. The forklift’s size and dimension will determine how easily it navigates space. The turning radius of a forklift will be an important factor if it will mostly be used in small spaces. If the forklift is going in and out of a building make sure the forklift will fit through the designated entry point with a load on the forks. Entry points need to be measured! Forklift operator manuals provide most space and weight dimensions for each model and can be used as guide. Please note that some second hand forklifts for sale are fitted with after-market attachments so be sure to compare factory specifications with the information advertised.

Tyres are fitted to suit different applications; cushion tyres are used mostly for indoor applications, pneumatic tyres are suitable to outdoor applications, polyurethane tyres are fitted to indoor warehouse equipment and air tyres are fitted to larger all terrain forklifts. These examples are the basic key differences in tyres and forklift applications.

Workplace health and safety regulations define the way your business can use heavy machinery in the workplace. Ensure that the second hand forklift you look at includes the features that are relevant to your industry. For example; some work sites require all equipment being used to have fire extinguishers installed. Identifying these before you purchase any second hand forklift can be cost effective and time saving. If you are a business owner or an operator consider how safe the forklift is before using it, this is most important.

The 8 step guide provides an overview for reviewing a forklift, whether it is a second hand forklift, new forklift or even a forklift for hire. The best starting point is knowing the workflow of your goods and the space you need to operate it in. These two key points, capacity and lift height, will guide you easily through the 8 steps to find other features that will make a forklift more suited to you and your business needs. It is recommended that you seek experienced and professional advice from a reputable supplier. These 8 points are the fundamental points and should only be used as a guide.

Pneumatic tyres are easily identified because they have a valve that fills the tyre with air. These tyres are more durable because they have deep tread and are made of durable rubber. Pneumatic tyres have 2 sets of bolts on the inside of the rim – the first set lock the rim on to the axle, the second set lock the wheel to the rim. This makes them easily interchangeable. They are most commonly found on high capacity forklift trucks, all terrain forklifts and industrial forklifts. Pneumatic tyres provide a smoother overall operating experience with the cushioning of air in the tyres. Pneumatic tyres shouldn’t be removed without completely deflating all the air form the tyre first for safety reasons. Replace these tyres once they are down to the minimum wear mark.

Polyurethane tyres are made of high density plastic. These are a low profile tyre that increase stability on the equipment they are fixed to. Most commonly found on warehouse equipment for indoor use across smooth surfaces. They are longer lasting cushion press on tyre. Polyurethane tyres are able to carry more weight and commonly found in electric powered equipment because it carries the extra weight of the battery. Replace these tyres once they are down to the minimum wear mark.

Cushion/Solid tyres are made from solid rubber, without the cushioning of air. These last a long time and are puncture proof with the absence of air to fill the rubber. The rims and rubber tyres are applied separately creating a dual bolt fit to the axle.They are most commonly used on compact industrial forklifts and mostly suited to indoor, smooth surface applications but can also be suitable for light outdoor use. Solid tyres are also used to utilise tighter turning circle capabilities in applications. Solid tyres generally outlast pneumatic tyres by twice the amount of life expectancy. Replace these tyres once they are down to the minimum wear mark.

Non-Marking tyres are easily identifiable because they are made of white rubber, intentionally fitted to not mark surfaces that they operate on. Typically used in warehouses and storage areas for produce and food. Non-marking tyres have a lower life expectancy than other types, but this is dependent on frequency of use.Replace these tyres once they are down to the minimum wear mark.

Foam filled tyres are fitted to forklifts upon special request. These tyres are filled with a specially formulated resin that changes the drive characteristics of a forklift. The tyres are made with special machinery and materials. If you’re work space is prone to frequent tyre punctures, this might be a solution to reduce how often tyres are being replaced.