Forklift stability and other technical safety issues - Monash University

RATED CAPACITIES vs FORK HEIGHT FOR VARIOUS MAST TYPES- 500 mm LOAD CENTRES3000RATED CAPACITY AT 500 mm250020001500100050002000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000MAXIMUM FORK HEIGHTMast V Dual Mast SV Dual Mast FV Dual Mast FSV DualMast V Single Mast SV Single Mast FV Single Mast FSV SingleMonash has used this data to estimate capacities at the Australian 600 mm load centre – theseare shown below.RATED CAPACITIES vs FORK HEIGHT FOR VARIOUS MAST TYPES- 600 mm LOAD CENTRES3000RATE2500DCAPACIT 2000YAT50 15000mm100050002000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000MAXIMUM FORK HEIGHTMast V Dual Mast SV Dual Mast FV Dual Mast FSV DualMast V Single Mast SV Single Mast FV Single Mast FSV SingleAs can be seen there is a dramatic loss of capacity at maximum lift:• for the single tyred forklift once lift height exceeds 4000 mm; and• for the dual tyred forklift once capacity exceeds 5000 mm.However the hydraulic cylinder of the forklift will still lift 2.5 tonnes or more (see later).Hence it is recommended that in the absence of proof of additional safety systems thatlimit the risk of side tipping, small single drive tyred forklifts be limited to lifts of around4000 – 4500 mm, and small dual tyred forklifts be limited to lifts of around 5000 – 5500mmForklift hydraulic lift capacity versus rated capacity in AustraliaThe graph below shows the various capacities of a current small forklift.16