Whether you need to move foodstuffs or heavy construction equipment for a big contracting job, a forklift is an essential part of any large-scale transport operation. But when the forklift itself needs to be moved from place to place, it's easy to get flustered and commit an error that you should've seen coming. To help you, check out these three pitfalls to avoid when you're setting a forklift in a truck compartment for transport.
Not Cleaning Gunk off the Tires Beforehand
Because the typical forklift is extremely heavy, it's reasonable to worry about the tires' traction while you're ascending the ramp of the truck. To head off any traction problems, before you even think about loading your forklift, clean every part of the unit's tires with soapy water and a good cleaning chemical.
Also, make sure that both the paving you're on and the truck's ramp are as dry as possible. If you have to, wait until the late afternoon when the drying effect of sunlight is at its height.
Placing the Truck on Any Kind of Slope
The slope created by the ramp is going to be difficult enough to ascend with your forklift. Don't compound the problem by placing the truck on a slope as well.
If your forklift is very old, and you're not sure how much it can handle, it's reasonable to place a construction leveler on the ground to ensure that the paving is straight. You can also test the leveler in the truck bed itself after you put it in place but before you start up the forklift.
Neglecting to Put Wedges Next to Each of the Four Tires
Once you've ascended the ramp with your forklift and stopped inside the truck, don't commit the folly of relying on the forklift's brake system alone. Especially when you first get onto the highway, a forklift with unstable wheels is in great danger of banging itself on one of the compartment's walls, which will cause significant damage to both vehicles.
Keep your vehicle in place with a set of eight wedge brakes that you put on either side of each wheel. Get wedges with rough surfaces to decrease the chance of them sliding around on the truck bed's floor. As long as the wedges are heavy enough, the probability of your vehicle sliding around while the truck is in movement will be greatly reduced.
For more tips on equipment and equipment transport, talk to a supplier like Horizon Equipment Rentals.
