Everyone Needs Pallet Forks

If you are in construction you will be taking delivery of items. A good portion of those items will be palletized. Some jobs will have access to a forklift to take care of this. Others will have problems like no traffic control so a forklift isn’t an option. An argument to make is that you can fly a pallet from a truck to the ground with straps in it. I can hear the argument in that if it isn’t going overhead, and it isn’t heavy enough to shock load the crane should it collapse, then maybe there isn’t much to get worked up over. Just don’t get near it in case it fails and scatters the heavy items.

Example of an unsafe way to lift a palletized load

The underlying problem is that this builds confidence in pallets where zero confidence should exist. 12 years or so ago I had a client call saying they lost a pallet in flight. It was loaded with slab grabs, if you are familiar with them. The impact was that that rigger was in the hospital and likely to never work again. But he was alive. They wanted rigging solutions. So I sold them baskets, pallet cages, and self-leveling pallet forks. This way they could see what worked for them.

Eichinger Self Leveling Crane Pallet forks rated at 3300 lbs

The pallet forks were the winning solution. At this point, some of the suppliers were supplying solid forks where you would move the attachment location. And you can still get those. With the tower cranes of the day, it was difficult to hit the right location perfectly, so it was sometimes difficult to get people to use them. But the technology has improved and today’s cranes and forks work nicely. The Eichinger forks take into account the challenge of charging the forks in the pallet pockets. They are tapered in two planes to make it easier. Handles are added. The initial spring rate is light enough that you can adjust the elevation with a foot. This also allows for easier leveling of the forks. It used to be that you had to help the spring loaded trolley along to a level position. Today you just hoist up and it finds it’s level home. It is important to note that this is based on capacity. you do need about 30% of the fork capacity to pull it to level instead of being a bit tip heavy. Those 6600 lb forks look like the universal solution until you put a 500 lb load on them that the pallet looks like it wants to slide off. In those cases, a pallet bin and a set of forks is probably necessary to complete the job.

If you do have a tall load like brick, or pallets of paint, it’s a good idea to secure them in a bin. There are a few ways to skin the cat. What I think makes the most sense is flying the pallet with the forks, into the bin. Leave the forks charged, then hook up to the bin lifting eyes and fly it all. When you get to the landing you can pull the pallet out with the crane, then put the forks back in the bin and send it all back to the ground level for safe keeping.

Eichinger Crane Pallet bin for single pallets rated at 3300 lbs.

I’ve seen some stuff with regard to palletized items. We should be engineering out the hazards. If we aren’t, then we are simply waiting for the problem to repeat. Give your people the tools to do the job right, and then require that they do it right. No shortcuts are worth the risk of seeing a pallet rapidly unload. We’re happy to help.

Continued Introduction

Crane fork attachments are specialized equipment designed to work with cranes to lift and transport palletized or loose loads. These attachments provide a practical solution for tasks that typically require a forklift, offering a versatile and efficient way to handle various loads. We will explore the key features, benefits, and typical applications of crane fork attachments, as well as provide an overview of their introduction and conclusion.

What Is a Crane Fork Attachment?

A crane fork attachment, also known as a crane pallet fork, is a lifting accessory that attaches to a crane. It consists of two fork tines, similar to those found on a forklift, mounted on a robust frame. The attachment is designed to be suspended from a crane’s hook, allowing it to lift pallets, crates, or other materials easily. Crane fork attachments are used to handle a variety of loads, including pallets, crates, and other materials, and are a versatile solution for lifting and transporting loads.

Key Features and Benefits of Pallet Forks

Pallet forks, also known as crane forks, are designed to provide efficient handling of various loads up to 6600 lbs. They feature adjustable height, adjustable tines, and a mechanical center of gravity compensation system that works on springs, allowing for easy adaptation to different loads. Pallet forks can handle both palletized and unpalletized loads.. They are also easy to use due to their compact dimensions and are no wider than a standard pallet. The key benefits of pallet forks include efficient handling, adjustable height, and a mechanical center of gravity compensation system.

Typical Applications of Crane Fork Attachments

Crane fork attachments are used in a variety of industries, including construction, logistics and shipping. They are a valuable addition to any lifting operation, providing a safe and efficient solution for lifting and transporting loads. Crane fork attachments are used to handle various loads, from standard pallets to loose materials like bricks, blocks, or timber. They are also used to lift and transport building materials, such as concrete blocks, and are a useful alternative to forklifts in certain situations.