Forklift features to get you through winter safely

Fortunately, there's a huge range of forklift attachments and modifications that can ensure your machines are able to handle the very worst winter conditions.  If you struggle with bad weather during winter, it's a good idea to consider investing in these pieces of equipment to keep your safety and productivity levels high all year round.

Cabin accessories

Even if all outdoor areas have been cleaned of snow and ice, it’s not much fun for the forklift operator to sit in a freezing cold cabin. Features like a cabin heater, window wipers, exterior lights and a loud horn help make the driver’s job safer and more comfortable when it’s cold and dark outside.

Gritters

There’s a wide range of grit spreaders that can attach to a truck’s forks. Towable spreaders are also available, but fork-mounted versions place weight on the front drive wheels, increasing traction if it’s wet or icy. Many spreaders can also be attached to the truck’s hydraulic system, allowing the driver to turn the spreader on and off from the cabin using the standard controls. Just remember to have your grit spreader serviced so it doesn’t let you down when you need it.

Tyres

Pneumatic tyres often give the best performance for outdoor operation, but if the driving surface is slippery, wet or covered in snow, you may need to take extra measures to make sure your trucks perform at their best. You may benefit from tyres with wider or deeper treads to handle slippery conditions, but tyre chains or textile snow socks, fitted on the wheels, can provide even more grip when needed.

Truck control systems

Effective forklift operation in bad weather isn’t just about attachments and accessories – the way the operator drives and the truck’s built-in control systems play a big role as well. If the driving surface is slippery, it’s important to drive slowly and carefully. This may mean that a job takes longer, but dealing with accidents or damage caused by careless driving is even more time-consuming. Operation can also be made safer with the right choice of equipment. Many machines have built-in control systems that can make effective driving easier, for example by optimising traction on difficult surfaces. Check with your supplier to see what options are available for you.

Winter is almost here, so if you want to operate more safely and effectively than you did last year, click on the button below to get in touch with UniCarriers. Our team will be able to analyse your operation and suggest solutions that can help you make it through to Spring without any problems.