Morrison offers forks for all makes and models of forklifts and other industrial equipment.
Free Fork Inspection Report
Morrison offers free, no obligation Fork Inspections.
Contact the Service Manager at one of the Michigan or Northern Indiana full-service branch
locations nearest you.
Hook style forks are separated into different classes, depending on the size of the carriage.
The carriage size is measured from the top to the bottom of the carriage.
Class II
16" Carriage
2,000 to 5,500 lbs
Class III
20" Carriage
6,000 to 10,000 lbs
Class IV
25" Carriage
10,000 to 17,500 lbs
Class V
28.67" Carriage
18,000 to 24,000 lbs
Shaft Style Forks
All shaft forks are special sourced items and must be ordered to customer specifications
Fork Types
Designed to handle carpet rolls.
Blade is contoured to handle coils – capacity is reduced according to the size of the contour.
Designed to handle bricks and blocks.
Enables forklifts to maneuver in areas where movement is restricted.
Extends the length of the fork blade. Fork extensions should never exceed 1.5 times the length of the fork.
Available in forged heel, square heel, single taper, and double taper.
For use in hazardous environments. Most popular are covered in brass.
Designed to handle tires and drums.
Fork Terminology
BladeThe horizontal portion of the fork upon which the load is supported.
HeelThe radiused portion of the fork connecting the blade to the shank.
ShankThe upright (vertical) portion of the fork to which the supporting forks are fixed.
HooksLugs attached to the shank to support and retain the fork on the carriage.
TubeThe tube used for mounting forks onto shaft-type carriages.
TipThe free end of the blade.
Positioning LockDevice for locating the fork on the fork carriage.
FlanksThe side faces of the blade and shank.
Fork Inspection and Repair
ANSI/ITSDF B56.1 – 2009
6.2.8 Inspection and Repair of Forks in Service on Forklift Trucks
(a) Forks in use shall be inspected at intervals of not more than 12 months (for single shift operations) or whenever any defect or
permanent deformation is detected. Severe applications will require more frequent inspection.
(b) Individual Load Rating of Forks. When forks are used in pairs (the normal arrangement), the rating capacity of each fork shall be at
least half the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the truck, and at the rated load center distance shown on the lift truck nameplate.
6.2.8.1 Inspection
Fork inspection shall be carried out carefully by trained personnel with the aim of detecting damage, failure, deformation, etc., which
might impair safe use. Any fork that shows such a defect shall be withdrawn from service, and shall not be returned to service unless it
has been satisfactorily repaired in accordance with para. 6.2.8.2.
(a) Surface Cracks
(b) Straightness of Blade and Shank
(c) Fork Angle (upper face of blade to load face of the shank)
(d) Difference in Height of Fork Tips
(e) Positioning Lock (when originally provided)
(f) Wear
– Fork Blade and Shank
– Fork Hooks (when originally provided)
(g) Legibility of Marking (when originally provided)
6.2.8.2 Repair and Testing
(a) Repair – Only the manufacturer of the fork or an expert of equal competence shall decide if a fork may be repaired for continued use,
and the repairs shall only be carried out by such parties. It is not recommended that surface cracks or wear be repaired by welding. When
repairs necessitating resetting are required, the fork shall subsequently be subjected to an appropriate heat treatment, as necessary.
(b) Test Loading. A fork that has undergone repairs other than repair or replacement of the positioning lock and/or the marking, shall only
be returned to service after being submitted to, and passing, the tests described in para. 7.27.3*, except that the test load shall
correspond to 2.5 times the rated capacity marked on the fork. *Para. 7.27.3 reflects manufacturing standards.
Fork Failures
How Damage and Wear Occur:
Application environment
Improper chain adjustments
Normal wear from extended use
Operator error or abuse
Tire wear
Used beyond rated load capacity
Fork Use Guidelines
To avoid potential damage and injury DO NOT:
Carry full or partial loads on one fork.
Change forks from one forklift to another, without knowing the capacity of each.
Overload forks beyond the rated capacity.
Use a fork in an application for which it is not designed.
Use fork extensions that exceed 1.5 times the fork blade length.
Repair or modify forks in the field, especially by welding. Welding destroys heat treat properties, making the fork brittle.
Apply sideways pressure on forks, commonly called “side loading,” as they are designed for vertical loading only.
To ensure efficient operation:
Inspect forks regularly, using an inspection log for recording data
Make sure the capacity meets or exceeds the forklift rating and load weight
Obtain written approval from the fork manufacturer prior to making fork modifications.
Determine your fork wear cycle and replacement schedule for a specific operation. Using larger forks in demanding applications may
extend fork life.
Forks must be properly seated on the carriage and the lock pins fully located in the carriage slot.
Fork Tips
Fork tips and tip bevels are required for ease of entry into load, depending on the application.
Standard Tip - For most applications
Tapered Tip - For narrow pockets
Square Tip - For lumber forks and wide forks
Round Tip - Interchangeable with standard tip.
Fork Bevels
Bevels can be requested. There are four basic designs.
Fork Tapers
Fork tapers are required to enhance the ease of travel of the fork when engaged into a load.
Common for pallet skids.
Easy to slide under objects on the floor and used in lumber applications shorter than 72”.
For smaller, shorter pallet skids.
Fork Wear Calipers
Fork wear calipers (p/n - A000025174) are used to check for wear and distortion. ANSI/ITSDF states “the fork blade and shank shall be
thoroughly checked for wear, special attention being paid to the vicinity of the heel. If the thickness is reduced to 90% of the original
thickness, the fork shall not be returned to service.” (B56.1d-2009 6.2.8.1)
The calipers measure the thickness of the fork arm shank (A) then automatically indicate what a 10% wear factor would be whenthe
calipers are applied to the blade cross section (B). Note: Wear calipers are not recommended for full taper or lumber forks.
Key Inspection Points
Fork wear calipers can also:
Check fork heel angle
Check the ITA hook for defects
Measure bore on shaft/pin type forks
Make sure to inspect:
Blade thickness
Excessive fork angle
Misaligned tips and hooks
Permanent distortions
Positioning lock
Surface cracks
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: If the blade thickness is at 90% or less, can I place the fork on a lesser capacity unit?
Answer: Yes. If the fork is load tested and re-stamped with the new capacity. “A fork that has undergone repairs other than repair or
replacement of the positioning lock and/or the marking, shall only be returned to service after being submitted to and passing, the tests
described in paragraph 7.23.7, except that the test load shall correspond to 2.5 times the rated capacity marked on the fork.”
ANSI/ITSDF B56.1-2009 6.2.8.1 Repair and Testing
Note: 90% of forks that are worn at least 10% in the blade usually have cracks in the heel or the welds and are rejected.
ORDERING HOOK STYLE FORKS
HOOK STYLE FORK SPECIFICATION SHEET
Determine fork dimensions.
Confirm fork capacity matches or is greater than the forklift capacity.