Moving and lifting loads of large mass or size is an activity during which there is considerable risk of equipment damage due to overloading. The cause of this type of damage is most often the limited strength of the forklift truck or the action of unforeseen factors during the design of its construction. In order to avoid this type of hazard, tests should be performed to check the strength of the forklift.
Safety Factor – What Is It?
The safety factor is a parameter used in engineering practice. It was introduced to prevent possible accidents that may occur as a result of changes in the load on the structure that take place during moving and lifting loads. Taking into account this type of imperfection already at the design stage reduces the risk of damage to the forklift or the transported load.
Load Tests – Static Test and Dynamic Test of Forklift Truck
Load tests are performed before starting the operation of the forklift truck. The whole process is divided into several stages, and the tests themselves are performed by experienced engineers and specialists in many fields, who begin their work long before checking the equipment. The most important stage of conducting load tests are two trials: the static test and the dynamic test of the forklift truck.
The basic parameter that determines how great the strength of a forklift truck is is its lifting capacity marked with the letter Q.
In all countries of the European Community, the same regulations currently apply. They state that all machines in the field of short-distance transport, including forklift trucks, must have an appropriate construction allowing for safe transport of loads. Tests are performed twice:
- Static test of forklift truck.
- Dynamic test of forklift truck.
Static load is one whose value increases slowly from zero to the final value. We can observe this phenomenon, for example, during the gradual lifting of a lying load. Importantly, in the case of manually operated equipment, the test is carried out with a lifting capacity of 150% of the assumed nominal load, and in the case of other equipment with a lifting capacity of 125%.
Dynamic test is what we call a load that changes periodically, suddenly, or reaches an extreme value at the moment of application. We can notice such a phenomenon during jerking or swaying. Due to the fact that the effects of forces acting during this type of loading are much greater than in the case of performing a static test, they are performed with a lifting capacity of 110% of the assumed nominal load.
What About Strength?
In forklift trucks, the strength of their load is also checked. There are two ways to check this parameter. The first is the calculation method, the second is the practical method, which involves performing tests under load. In practice, the second method is mainly used. Ready-made weights of considerable mass are usually used to carry it out.
