Pre-Lift Preparations
Pre-Lift Preparations
This domain tests lift planning before the boom moves: load weight, capacity, attachment, rigging, setup, and communication.
Load and capacity
- Determine load weight from shipping papers or a scale. Add rigging, slings, shackles, and attachment weight as required by the chart notes.
- Find the load center. Capacity is based on radius to the load center, not the fork heel.
- Use the load chart for the installed attachment and the actual boom angle/radius. Never exceed the chart.
- Space forks to support the load, engage fork locks, and secure the load against sliding.
Setup and communication
- Fully extend outriggers on pads, level the frame, set the parking brake, and place controls in neutral.
- Barricade the lift zone, use tag lines, and agree on hand signals or radio with the signal person.
- Plan the travel path, landing point, and emergency lowering.
Worked example
A load weighs 2,600 lb; rigging adds 200 lb; the quick-attach weighs 250 lb. The chart at the needed radius allows 3,200 lb, and its note says to subtract 250 lb for that attachment. Available capacity is 3,200 - 250 = 2,950 lb. Required load is 2,600 + 200 = 2,800 lb. It is under capacity, but the load center is 30 in versus the chart's 24 in, so capacity must be reduced or the machine repositioned to a shorter radius.
Traps
- Using only the load weight and forgetting rigging and attachment.
- Measuring radius to the fork heel instead of the load center.
- Ignoring a load center greater than the chart value.
- Setting outriggers on soft ground or without pads.