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15th Jun 2020
The loading dock can be an accident-prone area if adequate precautions are not put in place.
One of the most common accidents in this area is the rolling away of the trailer once the forklift is on board due to additional weight. In cases where semi-trailers are involved, they can also be subject to up-ending or tip-over accidents.
In this article, we are going to look at three devices that can help you keep your forklift stable to avoid such accidents.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are wedge-shaped devices that are normally placed behind rear end tires to restrict rolling when the forklift trucks board trailers. However, the brakes should be applied as they are meant to complement the brakes. They can either be made of rubber, aluminum, or steel and usually come in different sizes to match different tire sizes. While using wheel chocks always ensure the following;
a) Ensure the surface you are using them on is not loose ground or an incline as they tend to slide off in such instances.
b) Always place the wheel chocks directly at the center or aligned to the wheel and firmly planted on the ground.
c) Chock the wheels on both sides of the trailer for proper stability and support.
Wheel Stops
Wheel stops are also another variety of vehicle restraint devices perfect for loading and unloading operations.
They are usually made of either plastic, rubber, steel, or concrete materials which give them distinct qualities for diverse applications.
You can also find them in different sizes and they are normally black with reflector markings to enhance their visibility.
When using the wheel stops always ensure the following;
a) Ensure you pick a wheel stop of the right size so that it can stretch from one end of the tire to the next for it to function properly.
b) They should be firmly planted in the ground while maintaining sufficient contact with the tires for them to stop any form of movement.
c) Just like with the wheel chocks, this device is meant to complement the vehicle brakes, therefore, ensure your brakes are engaged.
Trailer Jacks
A fully loaded forklift is very heavy and normally generates weight imbalance on the trailer during loading and unloading which can easily lead to the upending of the trailer.
You can solve this problem through the use of the trailer jacks that offer the trailer additional support once the forklift is on board. They are also useful in preventing accidents due to worn out trailer landing gear giving to the additional weight.
They are usually painted in bright colors like yellow for high visibility to the forklift and are fitted under the trailer to offer it support.
Most can support up to 100,000lb of weight and have an adjustable height to ensure they offer firm support. You should use them with wheel chocks.
Therefore to prevent the trailer rolling away or upending you will find these three devices useful; the wheel chocks and the wheel stops that prevent the trailer from making unexpected movement and the trailer jacks that will help to keep the trailer stable during loading and unloading.
Forklift Tire Company is one of the largest suppliers of forklift tires in the USA. We are happy to help you find the right tires for your forklift truck. Visit our online store here for great discounts or email us at sales@forklifttire.com, our customer service team is ready to assist you.