Section 3: Operating Procedures
11/5/19
PFL20, PFL30, PFLE45, PFLE55, & PFL(E)64 Series Plate Mounted Pallet Forks 319-038M
14
Pallet Fork Operation
Picking up a load
1. Make sure the load does not exceed the smaller of
two lift capacities:
•
Rated lift capacity of the pallet forks.
•
83% of the rated lift capacity of the skid steer/
tractor front loader.
2. Center forks under the pallet to evenly distribute the
weight.
3. Make sure the load is balanced and secure.
4. Check for overhead obstructions.
5. Stop completely before positioning forks at the
correct height.
6. Drive into the load as far as possible.
7.
Lift load just off the ground and tilt it back slightly.
8. Back out slowly to clear racks or other obstacles.
9. Position load at a safe traveling height before
moving. Two to four inches above the floor is
recommended traveling height.
Traveling with a load
1. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
2. Keep load tilted back slightly.
3. Keep forks low, two to four inches above the floor,
when possible.
4. Continually scan all sides for pedestrians or other
traffic.
5. If load is large and blocks your view, travel in reverse.
6. Always drive at a safe speed and slow down when
going around corners. Avoid sudden braking.
7.
Leave enough clearance when turning to keep pallet
forks and load from contacting obstacles such as
storage racks, buildings, trees, or fences.
8. When traveling over a ramp or incline, keep load on
the “uphill” side of the skid steer or tractor.
9. When possible, travel straight up and down grades,
ramps, and inclines. Avoid making turns on grades,
ramps, and inclines.
10. Raise or lower load only when stopped, never while
traveling.
IMPORTANT:
Using 83% of the rated lift capacity
accounts for increased loader stresses caused by
the added extension of the pallet fork
.
It also ensures
that the front tires on your skid steer or tractor are
rated properly for the job.
IMPORTANT:
On heavy loads, the center of gravity
should
not
be positioned farther than 24" away from
the vertical face of the forks. Picking up heavy loads
positioned farther away can damage the unit and
void its warranty.
11. Slow down when traveling over rough or hilly terrain.
12. Do not transport loads on public roadways.
13. When traveling on public roadways, transport in such
a way that faster moving vehicles may pass you
safely.
14. Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
Placing a load
1. Stop in front of desired location to place the load.
2. Slowly raise load to required height.
3. Move forward slowly with load raised until load is
positioned square and straight above its final
destination.
4. Level load to position it for placement.
5. Lower load onto it final resting location.
6. Before backing, check all sides for pedestrians or
other traffic.
7.
Once load has settled, back up slowly.
8. Make sure forks clear pallet before turning or
changing fork height.
9. Lower forks before moving again.
Unhook Pallet Fork
Shut skid steer/tractor down before dismounting. Follow
“Power Machine Shutdown Procedure”
Unhook pallet fork as follows:
Skid/Loader Mounting Plate
Refer to Figure 3-1 on page 15:
1. Pull lock handles up to remove pins from bottom slots
in hitch plate.
2. Return to skid steer/tractor
and t
ilt top of hitch plate
slightly forward toward the pallet fork.
3. Slowly lower pallet fork until its top angle bar and
loader hitch have separated.
4. Back skid steer/tractor slowly away from the pallet
fork
while making sure the loader hitch does not
interfere with the pallet fork.
Euro Hitch
Refer to Figure 3-2 on page 15:
1. If required, manually move locking handle until
locking pins release. If Euro style hitch does not have
a locking handle, locking pins should auto-release
during Step 4.
2. Return to tractor
and t
ilt front of forks down
5 to 10 degrees to the horizontal.
3. Begin lowering pallet fork down until front of fork
ends are touching the ground.
4. Continue to slowly lower the pallet fork until the
mounting bar on the Euro style hitch have separated
from the pallet fork hooks.
5. Carefully back tractor slowly away from the pallet fork
making sure the loader hitch does not interfere with
the pallet fork.
