How many llamas could a forklift lift if a forklift could lift llamas?
How many llamas could a forklift lift if a forklift could lift llamas?
You’re not using your forklift to lift llamas? You have no llamas in your facility? You find this question ridiculous!? Maybe it is…. But then again, maybe we can learn something about forklift safety by considering the llama question.
It boils down to load carrying, the primary job of forklifts and related material handling equipment. These vehicles exist to carry raw materials, components, and finished products from one place to another.
There are safe ways to carry a load, and there are dangerous practices. Llamas can help forklift operators understand how to stay safe and avoid danger.
Llamas and load carrying rules
When it comes to load carrying, there are three simple rules to remember for safe forklift operation.
1. Match the equipment’s capacity to the load
If your load is five llamas (average weight for a llama is 200 lbs.), you can use a pallet jack, a walkie stacker, or a small forklift. However, if you need to carry an elephant (weight of 4,000 or more lbs.), you’ll need to use a heavier duty forklift. A load that exceeds the truck’s capacity can cause a tip-over.
How do you know a truck’s capacity? It’s listed clearly on the vehicle's data plate as is maximum lift height – another factor to consider. Lifting a load too high can also result in a tip-over.
2. Make sure your llama load is centered
If you have 8 llamas on the left and 6 on the right, your load is unbalanced. Your forklift may tip over to the left.
Forklifts are sensitive to unbalanced loads, and accidents like dropped loads and tip-overs can result. In the case described above, simply moving one llama from the left to the right will balance the load and avoid an accident.
3. Carry your llamas correctly
The safest way to carry your llamas or any load is with the forks in the lowest position. An elevated load is less stable and can cause the forklift to tip forward or drop the load.
For more stability when going up or down a grade, tilt the load back towards the truck body.
Forklift safety training from TrainMOR
TrainMOR offers top-quality forklift operator training that emphasizes load handling and other safety best practices. We have online and in-person classroom courses, hands-on training classes, and train-the-trainer options. (No llamas, though.)
Contact us for information on our Mobile, Memorable, and Measurable training courses — available online, in classroom and on-site.