The Specialist In Drum Handling Equipment
Model 288-1
Fork Mount Drum Handler
Operator’s Manual for Morse
MOR
SPEED
TM
Fork Mount Drum Handler Model 288-1
Serial Number 0315 to ____ (MMYY)
Copyright 2019 - Morse Mfg. Co., Inc.
Form PL288-1 (0315-____)
(Updated 14 Jun, 2019 11:07 AM)
4
Operating Instructions
Position forks to proper width to meet the fork pocket openings of the
1.
MORSPEED
TM
Fork Reach Mount. Drive forks into sleeves
until they contact far endcaps. Hook the safety chain around top edge of carriage and secure with carabiner.
For 55-gallon steel drums, set
2.
MORSPEED
TM
Heads in carriage mount so that cross-pin is in the top or second hole. For shorter
drums use suitable lower holes. It is always best to keep Vee Backrest as close to the bottom of the drum as possible.
Set rake of mast so that when lifted, the
3.
MORSPEED
TM
Carriage Mounts are vertical or inclined slightly forward. This setting should
be maintained.
Approaching the drums for lifting: Drive truck with unit low to the floor. Steer to make the
4.
MORSPEED
TM
head meet the drum
straight-on at its center-line. The head should push into the side of the drum near the drum top. Morspeed jaws must arrive below the
rim of the drum. Operator can gauge the proper height by aligning the top of the head(s) to be about flush with the top of the drum. If
necessary, lower the carriage before contacting the drum to assure jaws will be below the rim before lifting.
As the
5.
MORSPEED
TM
Heads are driven against the drums, the spring loaded parallel links will pivot downward to cushion against
the drum. Spring pressure will tend to keep the head(s) forward, in contact with the drum during lifting to assure that the lower jaw
catches the rim during the lift.
Raise carriage in one steady movement until drums are seen to be properly suspended. Avoid any tendency to interrupt the lift while
6.
the
MORSPEED
TM
Jaws operate to grab the drum. After very little practice, operations 4, 5 and 6 will be done easily in one flow of
action.
TIP:
It is not necessary to tilt the mast forward or back to effect gripping or releasing.
TIP:
It is not necessary to have the jaws make first contact with the drum rim. Simply drive them in below the rim and raise. They will
engage as the lower jaws catch under the rim as the
MORSPEED
TM
rises.
TIP:
It is not necessary to tilt the mast backward as you might when handling pallets. If, after the drums are properly lifted, you want
to tilt them back to clear other drums, this is permissible. Reset the mast to the original position (with
MORSPEED
TM
upright, drum
will tilt forward slightly) before drums are put down and released.
TIP:
If lifting two drums that are not spotted side by side, it may be necessary to lift one, carry it and put it down next to the other
drum. Then both can be picked up together, side by side.
Drive the truck to deliver the drums as necessary.
7.
WARNING:
Once drums are correctly picked-up, they should remain held safely by the
MORSPEED
TM
unless the truck is driven
fast over a bad ridge or wide crack in the ground. The sudden movement could momentarily unweight the drum, thus allowing the
jaws to open. Therefore, good truck discipline should be followed by keeping the load low when moving from place to place and by
avoiding unreasonable surfaces and speeds.
To release drums, simply lower them until the MORSPEED
8.
TM
Jaws open automatically. Do not stop lowering as soon as drums
touchdown, keep going down for a few more inches. Then you can back away.
TIP: USE OF VEE BACKREST TO POSITION DRUMS:
Drums standing on the floor can be positioned for picking up by tilting the
truck mast backward so the MORSPEED
TM
Heads will clear the drums. The Vee Backrest can then be used to push the drums to
locate them correctly. To lift drums, return mast to proper position as in Step 3 and Note in Step 7.
