Read This Before Buying Forklift Ramp - Part 2

Wrong forklift ramp

At Al Ameen Engineering we have accumulated lots of experience in fabricating the right kind of forklift ramp for your needs which will not only increase productivity and speed of loading/unloading but also ensures safety of your workers which boosts worker morale thus increasing output and reducing costs. This post is the second of the "how to choose forklift ramp" series with the focus on your forklift. This post would be beneficial if you are planning to buy a new forklift or if you already have a forklift, this will help to customize the ramp.  Here are 4 things to look for in forklift or mention them to forklift manufacturer.

i, Electric/Gasoline/Diesel Forklift - There are different types of forklifts required for different purposes. For Food, Paper and other manufacturing industries electric forklifts are preferred as they would not pollute or contaminate the goods. The gasoline/diesel on other hand are used mainly outdoors where there is free flow of air and usually carry heavier goods or cargoes compared to electric ones. It is imperative that you mention what kind of forklift you have.

ii, Gradeability/Max. Gradeability - Gradeability is a the highest grade a vehicle can ascend while maintaining a particular speed is termed that vehicle's "gradeability" (source: wikipedia). It is imperative to know this as it determines what maximum angle/grade a forklift can climb and maintain constant speed. Gradeabilty of electric forklifts are usually lower compared to gas forklifts which shows electric forklifts requires more distance or slope to climb to a height. Max gradeability shows what is the maximum angle a forklift can climb without maintaining constant speed. This is important information ramp manufacturers need to make custom ramps with easy slope to climb. Providing wrong grade information can cause problems while climbing so make sure right information is provided. 

Ramp Variables

iii, Wheel Base -  It is the distance between the center of front and rear wheels. If the wheels are closer one can steer easily in small radius, if it is farther one has to take longer to steer around and needs more slope distance to cover and enter the container or level off area. Shorter wheelbase can climb on steep slope.

Vehicle Underclerances

iv, Vehicle underclearance - It is distance between the ground and the lowermost part of the forklift. More distance it has the forklift can climb steep slopes. Diesel and Petrol forklifts normally has higher underclearances compared to electric forklifts. There are two things one has to look for undeclerances - mast underclearance and frame underclearance. Provide the underclearances of the forklift when they are fully loaded with the maximum weight it can carry. Check out the manufacturer's specification sheet for more information on this and make sure you provide max load clearance. Note that if your forklift has inflatable rubber tires then it sinks more when loaded as when it has solid rubber tires.

L-shaped Loading - Loading from front of the trailer

v, L-Shaped Loading - Do you need L-shaped Loading? (Click here)