How to use lift truck nameplate data

A LIFT truck nameplate contains Fldata important to you. Whether the information is used to check compliance of current equipment or referred to when buying used or dealer-altered equipment, it can increase productivity and help to prevent a serious accident.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires each vehicle nameplate to carry specific technical and safety information. By law, this must be amended if the vehicle un- dergoes any alteration.

Since overloading can cause a lift truck to become unstable and topple over, the rated lift capacity is important. Rated capacity is expressed in terms of weight and load center at a specified load height. The load cen- ter, stated in inches or millimeters, is the horizontal distance from the front face of the forks or the load face of an attachment to the load's center of gravity. This tells the maximum load that can be lifted at the stated load center.

On solid tire and pneumatic tire lift trucks, every nameplate lists drive wheel (front wheel) tread width. lt is important that this measurement (in inches or millimeters from the center of one front tire to the center of the corresponding front tire) matches the measurement on the nameplate. If the actual tread width is less than that listed. the vehicle could become unstable under certain conditions.

On pneumatic tire trucks, tire pressure information is listed with separate ratings for front and rear tires in pounds per square inch. These are supplied at the factory according to the tires shipped with the truck.

On electric trucks, the proper battery is critical to safe and efficient operation. Batteries are heavy and an overall nameplate weight is always listed with and without batteries on board. The lift capacity and center of gravity can be adversely affected if a lighter or heavier battery than recommended is used.

Story at a Glance

Nameplate information is necessary for maximum productivity and operating safety. what OSHA requirements demand what's involved when alterations are made.

The nameplate also provides maximum amp hour capacity. To maintain the U.L. rating, all batteries used must meet the requirement shown on the nameplate.

Maximum back tilt is listed on the nameplate in number of degrees of allowable tilt. This is important because a truck becomes more back heavy and unstable as the lift mechanism tilts back under a hieh load.

Attachments have an impact on lift capacity. Approved attachments must be listed on the nameplate and capacity ratings adjusted accordingly. Whenever an attachment is installed, a new nameplate should be added. Factory-equipped attachments will be indicated on the nameplate of a new truck. When a used lift truck is bought or trucks in the existing fleet are altered, nameplate data must be updated in compliance. Nameplate data on a rental unit also should be checked.

Supervisors and operators should familiarize themselves with all the information on the nameplate as well as that in the operating manual. This will increase productivity and prevent accidents.

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