Using Crane Forks Below the Minimum Rating Tips
Self Leveling Crane Forks Tips
Self Leveling Crane Forks have springs that require weight to compress them. You’ll need a minimum weight to get the process started. 20 to 25% is a common number required to get it started. So a 4000 lb capacity set of forks needs 1000 lbs as the minimum weight. If you have lighter pallets of boxes, you need to have manual forks… unless you know some tricks.
Internally Sprung Crane Fork Designs
On most of the internally spung crane forks have a trolley system inside the runs up the slope in the square tube. There is a horizontal pin and several holes to select. You can use them to limit how much the pallet leans back, or, if it can lean forward. You simply need to start the trolley to get it ahead of the center of gravity to limit the forks from leaning forward again.
Crane Fork Use
The common process is to pick up the pallet or bin. If it’s not compressing the spring, you put your foot on the lower cross bar that supports the tines at the mast. grab the top of the neck of the mast. Put your weight on the crossbar, and pull back on the neck. Holding the weight, place the pin in the hole that will enable you to safely fly the pallet. Release it all. Double check your level condition to be sure you are satisfied. Now the trolley springs cannot decompress and dislodge the pallet. If you do not place the pin behind the trolley system, compressing the springs without the minimum weight can lead to the pallet forks leaning forward without warning and items could fall off. You must understand this all well and execute it all equally competently. This is a practice that has no issues outside of human error. It’s not a recommended practice by any manufacturer that I know of. It is shown as possible. Manufacturers simply don’t want to account for human behaviors and recommend the practice. Structurally and otherwise, there is no issue with the practice. The competency of the rigger is to be controlled by the lead contractor or owners. Check out the video to see how this works!
