How to Hook Up Forks to a Forklift

According to the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, nearly 100 workers are killed and 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift mishaps every year in the United States. Forklifts are handy vehicles that you can use to move heavy loads and access high objects, but you also need to maintain them and used them properly to avoid these injuries. Though forklift forks are durable, eventually they will wear out. Inspecting them regularly and replacing them when necessary is essential to maintaining proper forklift safety.

Forklift
Forks

Instructions

- 1
  Read your forklift owner's manual to find out what replacement forks are approved by the manufacturer.
- 2
  Park your forklift in a wide, open area. Lower the forks to the ground. If they do not reach the ground, place a piece of cardboard underneath them.
- 3
  Turn off your forklift if you do not need it to be on when changing the forks.
- 4
  Inspect the fork and fork mount, checking the screws, pins and welds to see if they are in good condition. If the forks have been damaged, you may need to replace the fork mounts as well.
- 5
  Examine the fork's mounting to determine whether it is a standard hook, nonstandard hook or pin. Make yourself a valuable reference by taking a picture of the mounting or drawing a diagram.
- 6
  Release the top mechanism. Release the bottom mechanism when the forks begin to rest on the floor.
- 7
  Look for a pin, rod or shaft that locks into the eye of the fork. Unlock the mount and slide the pin out to release the fork. Remove the old forks.
- 8
  Place your new forks in front of the forklift. Reverse Steps 6 and 7 to replace the forks. Shake the forks with your hands to make sure they are securely fastened.

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