Archive for January, 2021

Forklift Forks: How to know when to replace

January 28th, 2021 |

Resource Center/BLOGService

Depending on the use and application, metal forks can last years, but they don’t last forever. Knowing how to inspect your forklift forks and when to replace them is essential.

Why is it essential to inspect your forklift forks daily? Not doing so can lead to snapped forks, dropped loads, and injuries. Daily inspections and proper fork maintenance can avoid this. As a reminder, OSHA requires daily inspections of all powered industrial trucks, including forks.

How do forks typically get damaged?

Wear from regular use
Improper chain adjustments
Minor accidents
Fork use beyond its rated capacity
Driving with forks touching the floor
Using a lifting chain on one fork to lift heavy objects
Picking up loads too far out on the forks
Attachments that stress the forks

What should you look for?

Surface cracks. There should be no cracks anywhere on the forks. Check the heel area and welds carefully.
Blade and shank angle. Check the angle between the blade’s upper face and the shank’s front face. If the angle exceeds 93% the forks must be replaced.
Straightness. They must be replaced if the forks are bent more than 0.5% of the corresponding blade length or shank height.
Fork tip height. Forklift blades should be the same height. They should be checked if there is a noticeable difference between the tips. If excessive, the forks should be replaced.
Positioning lock. If the positioning lock or other fork retention device malfunctions, it should be checked carefully before continuing use. These types of pins lock the fork to the carriage to prevent the fork from sliding off.
Fork thickness. Metal on forks wears down over time. A 10% decrease in fork thickness reduces load capacity by 20%. Use forklift calipers to measure the thickness of the fork blade, heel, and hook.
Capacity stamp. The capacity stamps should always be visible.

Forklift forks should be inspected at least once a year by a qualified service technician. Our experienced forklift technicians are available to inspect your forklifts and forks to ensure efficient and safe work conditions. Contact us to set up a service appointment today!

Why You Need a Narrow Aisle Turret Truck

January 18th, 2021 |

Resource Center/BLOGSteinbock Turret Trucks

Sometimes a standard construction turret truck can’t do the job on hand. If you run into that problem, Steinbock’s EK-Series trucks, which includes a narrow aisle turret truck, might be the perfect solution.

Steinbock makes custom solutions for customers who need a very narrow aisle turret truck and have specific or unique requirements. Steinbock uses the EK-Series as a base to develop and implement specific custom solutions to configure the perfect solution for your individual needs.

Let’s look at eight reasons you might need a custom, very narrow aisle turret truck and the features available to help get the job done quickly and efficiently.

1. Do you need a long-load handling solution?

Quickly move and store various cargo carriers with Steinbock’s extended side-shift carriage. Great for companies like agricultural-equipment manufacturers.

Move custom-sized pallets easily with a unique width telescopic fork, perfect for companies like home products distributors that store doors on special pallets.

Use a unique long turret to move substantial items like complete room sets. Perfect for Furniture Distributors and other similar companies.

2. Do you have particular order-picking tasks?

Choose a model with integrated shelving and roller conveyors for box-side delivery. Great for companies like toy manufacturers who work with small parts.

Or use the split rear console, front gate interlocks, and a large pick platform to move huge items. This option is perfect for companies like furniture stores.

3. Do you have an application with intensive order picking?

Use tilting side gates and tilting consoles to reduce the distance between the pallet and the storage rack. It’s a great feature to increase productivity and reduce back stress for the operator.

4. Do you need to handle weighty and cumbersome loads?

Choose a model with a special mast and a 41-inch load center capacity rating. This option is perfect for air cargo handlers or companies that move and store air freight containers.

Or choose an extra-wide chassis with long load capability. This feature is great for companies like construction equipment manufacturers who store large machine parts and tool and die on various cargo carriers.

5. Do you need to see tall loads?

Choose a model with a special load-handling device and an elevated cab seat. Great for companies like food manufacturers who store food products on tall custom cargo carriers.

6. Do you have an application with double-deep storage?

Equip your truck with a double-deep telescopic fork and overhead ceiling rail support. Great for tire distributors and other companies that use double-deep storage to save space.

7. Do you need to move around inside coolers and freezers?

Steinbock trucks feature heater elements inside the electronic controllers, hydraulic tank, other components, special cabin insulation, double-glazed glass, heated windows, and special paint to protect the vehicle from corrosion.

8. Do you want a driverless automated option?

Choose the standard turret fork or the telescopic fork with 3,300 pounds and 36 feet of lift capability. The intelligent sensors are great for typical warehouse environments, and onboard scanners provide real-time distance and height measurements for motion calculations.

Are you interested in learning more about Steinbock’s custom, very narrow aisle turret truck solutions? Contact us to talk to an account manager today!

Have You Checked Your Forklift Chains Lately?

January 15th, 2021 |

PartsResource Center/BLOGService

Forklift chains are a necessary and important feature of a forklift. They lift thousands of pounds of material, and failure in any part of the forklift chain can cause a safety issue for the operator and anyone nearby.

Inspecting forklift chains should be part of your forklift operator’s daily inspection. Here are ten common forklift chain problems and solutions:

Problem: A worn contour is typically caused by normal wear on the sheave or abnormal wear from rubbing on the guides. Solution: To fix a worn contour caused by normal wear, replace the leaf chain when worn down 5 percent. If it is caused by abnormal wear, check the leaf chain alignment, or increase the clearance.
Problem: Worn surfaces on outer plates or pinheads caused by misalignment and rubbing on the side flanges. Solution: Check the leaf chain alignment and correct the clearance as necessary.
Problem: Tight joints caused by dirt or foreign substance packed in joints, or corrosion, rust, or bent pins. Solution: Clean and re-lubricate the leaf chain or replace it entirely.
Problem: Missing parts. If your leaf chain is missing parts, it is usually because it was omitted in the original assembly. Solution: In this case, you need to replace the leaf chain completely.
Problem: Abnormal protrusion or turned pins, usually caused by excessive internal friction caused by high loading and inadequate lubrication. Solution: Replace the leaf chain, improve lubrication, and eliminate overload conditions.
Problem: Cracked plates from fatigue caused by loading beyond the chain’s capacity and endurance limit. Solution: Replace chain with leaf chain of larger dynamic capacity or eliminate high load conditions.
Problem: Fractured plates in tension mode caused by high overload. Solution: Replace the leaf chain and correct the cause of the overload.
Problem: Enlarged holes caused by high overload. Solution: Replace the leaf chain and correct the cause of the overload.
Problem: Corrosion due to environment. Solution: Replace the leaf chain and protect it from a hostile environment.
Problem: Worn leaf chain anchor bolt connecting pin caused by normal wear. Solution: Replace worn leaf chain components as necessary and always replace the components when fitting new leaf chains.

In a single-shift operation working on flat, even surfaces, chains can last 3 – 5 years. In more harsh environments, chains may need to be replaced much sooner. Even though inspecting forklift chains should be part of your forklift operator’s daily inspection, for safety reasons, it is necessary to schedule a professional assessment at least once a year.