How Forklift Attachments in Lafayette, LA Affect Capacity

When you invest in material handling equipment from a forklift dealer in Lafayette, LA, capacity is an essential factor to consider. The capacity of your forklift can make a big difference when it come to your productivity and the efficiency of your workflow. There are a lot of factors that can influence the capacity of your forklift, including forklift attachments. Read on to find out more about forklift attachments in Lafayette, LA and how they can affect the capacity of your forklift.

Load capacity and maximum load moment

The load capacity of your forklift is directly related to its center of gravity. In other words, the capacity of your forklift will shift as its center of gravity shifts. The further out your load is from your forklift, the lower the load capacity of your forklift will be. If you load up your forklift with a load that exceeds its capacity, you run the risk of a major accident, and you could potentially even flip your forklift due to this weight imbalance.

The load capacity of your forklift attachment isn’t as simple as the capacity figure that’s provided in the user manual. Rather, you have to calculate the actual load capacity based on a principle called load moment. The maximum load moment describes the amount of force that’s applied to a forklift in relation to its center of gravity, the weight of the load and the positioning of the load. To calculate the maximum load moment, you multiply the maximum weight rating by the center load distance, which is the distance from the face of the forks to the load’s center of gravity. If you had a 5,000-pound capacity forklift with a center load distance of 24 inches, for example, the maximum load moment would be 120,000 inch-pounds.

Calculating capacity with attachments

To calculate the weight capacity of your forklift with a forklift attachment, you will take the maximum load moment you already calculated and divide that figure by the new load center of your attachment to get the accurate load capacity. For example, a forklift with a 5,000-pound capacity, a center load distance of 24 inches and an attachment with a 30-inch load center would have a 4,000-pound maximum weight capacity. Calculating capacity and load moments is essential for proper safety in your workplace. You can find out more about load capacity and attachments by reaching out to a professional who specializes in forklift attachments in Lafayette, LA for help.

Contact a forklift dealer in Lafayette, LA

If you have questions about forklift safety in Lafayette, LA or you are interested in investing in new forklift attachments, reach out to George’s Lift Truck Service, LLC. Our family owned and operated business has been serving customers since 1969 with comprehensive material handling products and services. We are dedicated to the quality of our equipment and the satisfaction of our customers. Regardless of what your specific needs may be, we are here to help you. Give us a call today to find out more about what we have to offer.

Categorised in: Forklift Attachments, Forklift Dealer, Forklift Safety

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