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Section 5. Operating Your Lift Truck
Load Handling
Load Handling
Overview
• Always handle loads that are at or below the lift truck’s rated capacity. The rated capacity
can be found on the capacity and data plate. This rating species the maximum load that
should be lifted. However, other factors such as using a special attachment, handling
loads with a high center of gravity, or traveling over uneven surfaces may reduce the
safe working load to be less than the rated capacity. Under these conditions, the operator
must reduce the load carried so that the lift truck remains stable and safe to operate.
• Do not handle loads made up of loose, unevenly stacked, or unstable items that can
easily shift and fall. Only handle stable loads or loads that are safely secured. Always
appropriately stack and band loose loads. Center the load on the forks. Do not lift a load
that may fall.
• Do not handle loads that are taller than the fork carriage unless the load is properly
secured to prevent it from sliding back or falling. Always keep the back of the load
against the carriage.
• If a load is placed on the end of the forks, it lowers the lift truck’s stability. Always lift and
lower the load with the upright either tilted slightly tilted back or vertical. Do not tilt the
upright forward when the load is raised, except to pick up or drop o a load over a rack
or stack.
• The lift truck is designed to handle loads positioned forward of the front wheels so that
the weight of the load is counterbalanced by the weight of the lift truck.
• The farther the center of gravity of the load is from the lift truck’s load center, the greater
the leverage and the more force attempts to lift the rear of the lift truck. Always position
the load as close to the front wheels as possible and ush against the carriage.
• If the lifting chains become slack, this may indicate there is upright or carriage hang up.
Picking Up and Moving Loads
• When picking up a load, approach the load slowly and align the lift truck square with the
load. The forks should be adjusted to t the load or pallet being handled and spaced as
wide as possible to provide the best stability and balance. Before lifting, make sure the
load is centered and the forks are fully supporting the load. The fork length should be at
least two-thirds the length of the load. Use the lift and the tilt controls to adjust the forks
to the correct height and angle to easily engage the load pallet. Move forward until the
forks are squarely and completely under the load.
• If the forks are longer than the load, move back until they no longer extend beyond the
load. Raise the load high enough to clear the oor. Move back slowly, enough to clear
any obstacles, and set the load down. Move forward until the load is squarely positioned
against the load backrest or carriage.
• Raise the load from the oor or stack by tilting the upright back just enough to lift the load
from the surface. When stacking or tiering, only use enough backward tilt to stabilize the
load.
• Raise or lower the load to traveling height and tilt the upright fully back to travel, except
for loads that must be transported as level as possible.
• Make sure the forks do not extend past the load.
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