Diesel Forklift – Step-by-Step Guide for Right Use & Safety

Diesel forklifts, as their name suggests, are lifts that are powered by diesel fuel.
They are a vital part of industrial material handling due to their durability and unmatched power for handling heavy loads. Their solid design allows them to handle a wide range of capacities.
All diesel forklifts are sit down models and rank as the most commonly used forklift type used in warehouses. Factors leading to their popularity include their versatility, ability to handle snug spaces, and ease of use.

There are two main classifications of diesel forklifts: IC cushion trucks and IC pneumatic trucks. Their main difference is in the type of tire they use for indoor and outdoor material handling applications.

IC Cushion Trucks: come equipped with press-on cushion tires that are used for smooth indoor floors.

IC Pneumatic Trucks : Tires used for them are either filled with air like a car tire, or are solid and made with resilient materials like rubber.

A diesel forklift consists of several essential components that work together to provide reliable performance. These components include:

1. Engine
2. Counterbalance
3. Forks
4. Mast
5. Transmission
6. Overhead Guard

1. High Power and Torque: Diesel forklifts deliver greater horsepower and torque when compared to other types. This advantage makes them ideal for lifting heavy loads and ensuring quick acceleration.
2. Fuel Efficiency: They provide more power per unit of fuel than electric and gas-powered models.
3. Cheaper Fuel Costs: Diesel fuel is typically cheaper than the energy used in electric fork trucks with lead-acid batteries.

According to the National Safety Council, forklift incidents in 2021-22 lead to nearly 25,000 injury-related DART Cases (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred Cases). In most of these cases, forklift operators faced injuries from events such as contact with an object or equipment or transportation incidents.

Again, these incidents are often avoidable. You can carefully plan your operation and adhere to safe forklift operations to minimize forklift-related DART Cases in your workplace.

OSHA mandates that all employees operating forklifts operators must be trained and certified by their organizations before beginning to work on one. This certification involves a written test and a practical skills test.

During forklift certification, the operator must demonstrate their knowledge about forklifts, the unique way they work, and their safe operation. Ongoing safety education and refresher courses should reinforce what they have learned.

The operation of diesel forklifts come with environmental considerations that can potentially limit their use in certain settings. They range from noxious emissions and noise to proper disposal methods of fuel containers.

You’ll need to weight the following considerations carefully before purchase and during the diesel vehicle’s use:
1. Emissions
2. Noise Levels
3. Waste Recycling
4. Cleanup

Read fully about the right use and safety of Diesel forklift.

1. Initial cost
2. Fuel cost
3. Size and Maneuverability

Material handling equipment is a valuable investment, so you want to see to its upkeep. An excellent way to accomplish this is through a routine maintenance schedule that’s recommended by the forklift manufacturer.
The following tasks should be part of your schedule if you want to reap the benefits a routine maintenance program brings.
1. Periodic Maintenance
2. Pre-Shift Inspections
3. Routine Maintenance Tasks
4. Forklift Maintenance Checklists