Fork Inspection,
Fork Inspection, RepairRepair, and , and TTestingesting
Forks in use shall be visually inspected daily andForks in use shall be visually inspected daily and
must be magnetic particle tested (magnafluxed)must be magnetic particle tested (magnafluxed)
for cracks at intervals of not more than 2400 hoursfor cracks at intervals of not more than 2400 hours
or whenever any defect or permanent deformationor whenever any defect or permanent deformation
is detected. is detected. Severe applications Severe applications will require will require moremore
frequent inspection.frequent inspection.
When forks are used in pairs, the rated capacity ofWhen forks are used in pairs, the rated capacity of
each fork shall be at least half of the manufactur-each fork shall be at least half of the manufactur-
er’s rated capacity of the truck, and at the rateder’s rated capacity of the truck, and at the rated
load center distance shown on the lift truck name-load center distance shown on the lift truck name-
plate.plate.
Fork inspection shall be carried out carefully byFork inspection shall be carried out carefully by
trained personnel with the aim of detecting anytrained personnel with the aim of detecting any
damage, failure, deformation, etc., which mightdamage, failure, deformation, etc., which might
impair safe use. impair safe use. Any fork which Any fork which shows such shows such aa
defect shall be withdrawn from service, and shalldefect shall be withdrawn from service, and shall
not be returned to service unless it has been sat-not be returned to service unless it has been sat-
isfactorily repaired.isfactorily repaired.
Do not weld on forged forks.Do not weld on forged forks.
Failure to follow this warning could lead Failure to follow this warning could lead toto
seriously weakened forks that could fail pre-seriously weakened forks that could fail pre-
maturely undmaturely under normal er normal loads. loads. When neces-When neces-
sary, the welding of fork bushings should onlysary, the welding of fork bushings should only
be done by qualified welders knowledgeable ofbe done by qualified welders knowledgeable of
the appropriate welding practice.the appropriate welding practice.
The fork shall be thoroughly examined visually forThe fork shall be thoroughly examined visually for
cracks and if considered necessary, subjected to acracks and if considered necessary, subjected to a
nondestructive crack detection process, specialnondestructive crack detection process, special
attention being paid to the heel and welds attach-attention being paid to the heel and welds attach-
ing all mounting components to the fork blank.ing all mounting components to the fork blank.
This inspection for cracks must also include anyThis inspection for cracks must also include any
special mounting mechanisms of the fork blank tospecial mounting mechanisms of the fork blank to
Any fork that Any fork that has a deviation has a deviation of greater than of greater than 33
fork angle from the original specification shall notfork angle from the original specification shall not
be returned to service.be returned to service.
The difference in height of one set of forks whenThe difference in height of one set of forks when
mounted on the mounted on the fork carrier sfork carrier shall be checked. hall be checked. IfIf
the difference in tip heights exceeds 3% of thethe difference in tip heights exceeds 3% of the
length of the blade, the set of forks shall not belength of the blade, the set of forks shall not be
returned to service until repaired.returned to service until repaired.
It shall be confirmed that the positioning lock is inIt shall be confirmed that the positioning lock is in
good repair and correct good repair and correct working orderworking order. . If ant If ant faultfault
is found, the fork shall be withdrawn from serviceis found, the fork shall be withdrawn from service
until satisfactory repairs have been effected.until satisfactory repairs have been effected.
The fork blade and shank shall be thoroughlyThe fork blade and shank shall be thoroughly
checked for wear, special attention being paid tochecked for wear, special attention being paid to
the vicinity the vicinity of the heel. of the heel. If the thicIf the thickness is reduckness is reduceded
to 90% of the original thickness, the fork shall notto 90% of the original thickness, the fork shall not
be returned to service.be returned to service.
The support face of the top hook and the retainingThe support face of the top hook and the retaining
faces of both hooks shall be checked for wear,faces of both hooks shall be checked for wear,
crushing, and crushing, and other local other local deformations. deformations. If theseIf these
are apparent to such an extent that the clearanceare apparent to such an extent that the clearance
between the fork and the fork carrier becomesbetween the fork and the fork carrier becomes
excessive, the fork shall not be returned to serviceexcessive, the fork shall not be returned to service
until repaired.until repaired.
If the fork marking is not clearly legible, it shall beIf the fork marking is not clearly legible, it shall be
renewed. renewed. Marking shall Marking shall be renewed be renewed per instruc-per instruc-
tions from original supplier.tions from original supplier.
Each fork shall be clearly stamped with its individ-Each fork shall be clearly stamped with its individ-
ual load rating in an area readily visible and notual load rating in an area readily visible and not
subject to subject to wear.wear.
Only the manufacturer of the fork or an expert ofOnly the manufacturer of the fork or an expert of
equal competence shall decide if a fork may beequal competence shall decide if a fork may be
i d f ti d d th i h lli d f ti d d th i h ll
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