Three Essential Tips for Transporting a Forklift on a Flatbed Truck
Transporting a forklift can be a complicated process. If you handle the work poorly, you could damage the purchased or hired equipment, and your business could experience extensive losses. Also, if an accident occurs during the shipping process, people could sustain serious injuries. Therefore, you should hire an experienced forklift transport contractor to handle the work. However, it is not impossible to move the industrial equipment without professional assistance. If you have a flatbed truck, you can place the forklift on it and drive to your desired location. Here are some essential tips for success if you are interested in this option.
Compare Weight and Capacity
Flatbed trucks have a high load-bearing capacity. However, forklifts can be extremely heavy. Therefore, you should not assume that your truck will be capable of towing your industrial machine. The wrong assumption can cause unexpected inconveniences and dangers on the road. You should check the specifications of the flatbed truck and the forklift. Compare the maximum load rating of the towing vehicle with the indicated weight of the forklift. If the rating is lower than the equipment mass, you should consider choosing another truck for the work.
Place the Forklift in Reverse
When you find an appropriate flatbed truck for transporting your forklift, you should not drive directly onto the bed. You should remember that a forklift has sharp forks which point forward. If you drive the equipment such that these elements remain facing forward, you will be putting yourself or your driver at risk. In simple terms, if the truck accidentally collides with something or is forced to stop suddenly, the forklift might slide forward. The forks will penetrate the driver's cabin, and the probability of severe or fatal injury will be high. Therefore, you should always back up onto the flatbed truck such that the forks face the backwards. This rear-facing configuration will present less danger in case of an accident. After loading the forklift, you should remember to secure the equipment to limit movement and ensure safety.
Check Bridge Clearances
You should determine the height of your rig after loading the forklift on the flatbed. Then, examine the route on which you plan to pass through and identify bridges or other areas with limited height clearance. If you do not make a careful evaluation, your equipment could slam into an obstacle, and the consequences of the incident could be dire for you and other road users. If the route has low-hanging bridges, you should look for an alternative roadway.