Picking
Versatile And Efficient Attachments
When
moving more than pallet loads, these attachments increase productivity and
safer handling while reducing product damage.
Lift truck attachments have become indispensable in many material handling
applications. In addition to sideshifters, fork positioners and load stabilizers that increase efficiency
when moving pallets, there is a wealth of other versatile, more specialized
lift truck attachments. They enable a lift truck to pull, push, clamp, lift and
rotate practically any load imaginable. In fact, 80% of conventional sit-down
lift trucks operate with something besides forks on their masts. Here's a look
at these popular, but more specialized, attachments:
Paper
Roll Clamps
Anywhere
that large rolls of paper are used or moved, you'll
find attachments to help. Most attachment manufacturers offer a full line of
paper roll clamps to handle various diameters, weights or types of paper. Clamp
pads can be specified to match paper type, such as high-grade, recycled kraft, tissue and toweling papers.
Paper roll clamps come with 360-degree rotation that allows the operator to
place a roll in any attitude. An option is a 180-degree rotation stop that
permanently halts rotation at the vertical handling position.
Technology has enabled attachment manufacturers to develop automated paper roll
clamps designed to keep paper rolls as close to perfectly round and undamaged
as possible. By linking the hydraulic system to sensors and an on-board
computer, these automated clamps detect roll movement and apply the minimum
clamp force necessary to secure the roll. A graphic display informs the lift
truck operator of the clamping status, position and
system condition.
Lateral
Clamps
There
are several types of clamps that are engineered to meet specific industry
needs. They include: Bale clamps - Designed for palletless
handling of nearly any type of baled products, bale clamps can be sideshifting or not, and revolving or nonrevolving.
Capacities range from 2,500 to 7,000 lbs.
Drum clamps - For
applications that require the handling of standard 55-gal. drums, especially in the chemical and petroleum industries,
drum clamps can be configured with various arms to handle one, two or four
drums at a time. Capacities are in the range of 2,500 to 3,500 lbs. Drum clamps
are available with optional sideshift and/or
360-degree rotation.
Fork clamps - These versatile attachments
operate as both a clamp and a fork positioner in a
wide range of load capacities (2,500 to 8,000 lbs.). Their ability to position
the forks speeds pallet handling and reduces pallet wear. Some fork clamps can
be sideshifting and can rotate.
Multipurpose clamps - When the application
calls for palletless moving of many types of
corrugated, metal and wooden containers, multipurpose clamps allow the lift
truck operator to handle a wide variety of load sizes. Sideshifting,
nonsideshifting and revolving models are available
with capacities in the 2,500- to 7,000-lb. range.
Carton clamps - To handle cartons and appliances
without the use (and related costs) of pallets, carton clamps are the
attachment of choice. They can grip a single tier or a stack of cartons without
damaging the cartons or their contents. Most have thin profile arms to permit
close stacking. They come in various frame widths, contact pad sizes and arm
opening ranges. Capacities generally range from 1,500 to 6,000 lbs.
Push-Pulls
A
number of retailers have eliminated pallets from their distribution systems. To
do so, they use paper pallets or slip sheets which require a push-pull
attachment. These devices either pull the load onto special wide platen
(forks), or they push it off. Some push-pulls mount directly to the lift
truck's carriage. These are designed for dedicated slip-sheet handling. Others
mount on the lift truck's forks and can be taken off or put on as load types change.
Considerations
For Specifying
Most
users find that attachments save them money. These savings come from reduced
material handling time and related labor costs; fewer damaged pallets, products
and facilities; and reduced machine wear.
If you're ready to invest in a lift truck attachment, there are several things
to determine before selecting the best model for your application and fleet. If
you come in with the following information, we can help you accurately match
lift trucks with attachments:
Description of the product to be handled and whether you want to use pallets or
not.
Load specifics, including weights, lengths, widths (or
diameters) and heights.
Mast specifics, including its lift height, height when it's
down (for going through doorways in buildings, trucks and railcars) and forward
tilt. You'll also need to know the lift truck's carriage width.
Dock information, such as the dock plate width, the height of trailers in
relation to dock height, etc.
Mounting style desired, whether quick-change or pin-type mountings.
Be aware that attachments modify lift truck capacities, so you must get prior
written approval from the lift truck manufacturer and change name plates/labels
to reflect the modifications.
In addition, there are some installation costs. The lift truck's valving may need to be changed, and hydraulic couplers may
be necessary. In some applications, an accumulator can absorb the shock
resulting from driving the truck over rough terrain, dockboards,
ramps, tracks, floor joints and unpaved yards. Reels may also be needed for the
extra hydraulic hoses.