Back Roads: How Towing Services Can Be A Lifesaver

Tips When Securing Forklift Equipment for Transport

10 February 2016

Brittany Howell

As a truck fleet manager, you are responsible for securing all loads under your care. Delivering forklift equipment to various project sites is one of the most difficult jobs that you may be asked to do. If you want to make sure that these heavy pieces of equipment reach their destinations in good shape, here are some tips on how you can apply to secure your loads for transport.

Placing the equipment on the trailer

The first thing that you should consider before attempting to load a piece of forklift equipment at the back of your truck's trailer is its weight. This is because freight trucks have different load capacities and you should not carry equipment on a truck whose weight limit is lower, as this can cause a lot of damage to the vehicle. After you have considered load capacities, the next thing will be you to determine how and where to position the equipment. Vehicle manufacturers often specify what the trailer axles as well as the truck can weigh when loaded. In case the trailer is overloaded, but not the truck, then you had better adjust the position of the equipment to distribute its weight between them, before tying down the load.

Tying down the equipment

Once forklift equipment is placed on the trailer, it is very important that you secure it properly to minimize damage that may occur due to freight shifting on or even falling from, the trailer, as this can increase the risk of a road accident happening. When you are loading the equipment, check where securement points are located. At least, provide the minimum number of tie-downs required to ensure there is sufficient restraint against load movement in various directions, be it lateral, vertical, rearward or forward. Every tie-down must be attached as close by as possible to the front and rear of the truck to keep the equipment firmly secured. You may require more tie-downs, but that will depend on the size, weight or shape of the equipment being towed. The grade of the tie-downs, for example, tow chain sizes, will also vary depending on what type of forklift equipment you are hauling.

So as to help keep the forklift equipment secure during the whole forklift transport process, you should occasionally pull over a short distance away from the road to re-inspect the load because chains and straps tend to shift while you are driving.

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