Rev. 4/22/2019
FMDL MANUAL
Copyright 2019 Vestil Manufacturing Corp.
Page 11 of 16
Using the lifter:
Step 1: Adjust the positions of the forks on the carriage of your lift truck to match the fork pockets.
Step 2: Mount the drum lifter on the forks of your lift truck by slowly driving forward until the forks contact the ends of the
pockets.
Step 3: Attach the safety chain to the fork carriage. Wrap the chain around the carriage. Fasten the snap hook to the
chain or quick link (see exploded parts diagrams)
without slack
. The chain must not be able to disconnect from the
carriage during use, i.e. slide off of the carriage.
The chain is an essential safety-enhancing feature. Use the chain to connect the drum lifter to the
carriage
of your fork truck. Wrap the chain around the carriage and fasten the free end to the chain
with no slack
.
The
chain will not prevent the drum lifter from sliding off of the forks if it is improperly connected to the fork carriage
.
Slowly lower the forks to
avoid damaging impacts between the floor/ground and the drum or lifter.
and
NOTE:
In order for the Eagle Beak™ mechanism to work properly, the drum and its contents must weigh AT LEAST 50
lbs. (~22.7kg).
Step 4 Engage the selected drum with the lifter: Raise the forks just a few inches off of the ground/floor, and tilt the mast
of you fork truck forward. Drive slowly towards the selected drum until the lower jaw of the Eagle Beak™ (item no. 10,
) contacts the side of the drum directly beneath the lip of the drum.
Step 5 Grasp the lip of the drum: Slowly raise the forks until the upper jaw engages the top of the drum lip. Continue to
raise the forks until the drum is elevated a few inches above the floor/ground. Attach one end of the ratchet strap to a
loop on the drum saddle (Item 9,
). Attach the other end of the ratchet strap to the loop on the other side of the
saddle; then work the ratchet mechanism until the strap is tight.
Step 6 Transport the drum: Straighten the mast and transport the drum to the desired unloading location. Raise the forks
when/as required by conditions along the travel path.
Step 7 Release the drum: Lower the forks until the drum is just a few inches above the floor, and then remove the ratchet
strap. Tilt the fork truck mast forward. Slowly lower the forks until the Eagle Beak™ disengages the lip of the drum and the
drum is fully supported by the floor/ground.
and
Step 4 Position the fork lift and drum lifter: Raise the forks and adjust the location of the fork lift to position the drum
grippers above the top of the drum. Tilt the mast forward, i.e. point the forks toward the floor.
Step 5 Position drum grippers: Lower the forks; the drum grippers will slide over the lip of the drum. Position the grippers
below the lip or the middle rim as desired.
Step 6 Transport the drum: Straighten the mast and raise the forks until the gripper engages the lip or rim, and then slowly
raise the forks until the drum is elevated a few inches above the floor. Tilt the mast back; then transport the drum to the
desired location.
Step 7 Release the drum: First tilt the mast forward and then slowly lower the forks until the drum is fully supported by the
floor. To finish disengaging the drum, back the fork truck away from it.
Step 4 Position fork lift and drum lifter: Adjust the mast position so that the drum grippers are parallel to the ground.
Slightly elevate the forks above the floor.
Step 5 Prepare the engage the drum: Adjust the position of the fork truck to center the drum lifter on the drum; then drive
forward until the side of the drum contacts the upper side wall support weldment. See Item no. 12,
Step 6 Transport drum: Raise the forks until the lower drum gripper weldments (item nos. 2 & 16,
) engage the base of
the drum. Raise the drum a few inches above the ground; secure it to the lifter by attaching the ratchet strap to the loops
on the side wall support (item no. 12,
); then transport it to the desired unloading point.
Step 7 Release the drum: First tilt the mast forward; then slowly lower the forks until the drum is fully supported by the
ground/floor. Slowly back the fork lift away from the drum until the drum and lifter disengage.
Record of Original Condition
:
Before putting the drum lifter into service, record its condition. Thoroughly photograph the unit from multiple
angles. Take close-range photographs of the drum gripping mechanism, the labels, all pivot points, the drum
saddle(s), the safety chain and snap hook, and fork/tine locks (if applicable). Use the lifter to lift a drum. Describe
how the drum grasping mechanism engages the drum. Describe all sounds produced by the lifter under load.
Collate the photographs and writings into a file. Mark the file “Record of Original Condition”. Compare the results of
all inspections to this record to determine whether the lifter is in original condition. Do not use the lifter unless it is in
