The mast is a mechanical part of the forklift that lifts the load to a specified height. It is on the front of the machine that actually raises or lowers the load and it is counterweighted by the weight at the rear of the forklift.
The height of the forklift mast is one of the most important things to consider when the work involves stacking of materials at elevated platform or rack. You would not want to have a truck that doesn’t have enough mast height to stack materials.
The maximum height the mast will go on a forklift is indicated on the manufacturer-installed data plate. If you are not sure the maximum height, you can always refer to the data plate.
This data plate, which is also referred to as the nameplate, provides significant information about the truck’s loading capacity, tire size, fuel type, its weight, the machine’s serial number, and other basic information such as brand, model, serial number and of course the height of the mast.
Other factors that you need to know about the mast of the forklift are below.
Three Common Types of Forklift Mast You Need to Understand
- The Single-Stage Mast - this is the most basic mast type because it has limited lifting height. Forklifts with single-stage mast can lift loads at limited height such as lifting of materials on a pallet onto the back of a trailer truck.
- 2-Stage Mast – also called as a duplex. It is made up of two sections, as its name implies, it provides better forward visibility for operators, as there aren’t many moving parts attached in the driver’s forward view.
- 3-Stage Mast – also known as a triplex. Again, as its name implies, it has three sections. It offers less forward visibility for the driver because there is one more mast section as well as the lift cylinder that moves up and down and controls the lowering and raising of the mast hindering the operator’s forward view.
The Height of Your Rack or How High You Want to Lift the Load Determines the Mast You Need to Use
If you’re a business owner who is planning to purchase a forklift, the dealer can help you determine what mast type you need for the application and the lifting capacity of the truck that you need in everyday tasks. The forklift mast height is a crucial factor in determining what forklift you need to buy.
Other factors that need to be considered are the vertical space in your warehouse or workplace, the maximum height of the racking you have in your facility, and the size of the load handled by the operators.
If you aren’t technical about these factors, the dealer can assist you. You can invite them to your facility to evaluate the factors so that you can be given the right forklift your application. Contact your local dealer right now and make an inquiry.
A Safety Reminder – Don’t Reach Through the Forklift Mast
OSHA has been very stringent implementing the 29 CFR 1910.178 regulation in the safe use of the powered industrial truck such as a forklift this is due to every year hundreds of accidents involving the improper use of this machine.
I have heard and witnessed a lot of accidents involving the forklift mast. The mast can post danger in two ways, either because of poor visibility as it blocks the operator’s forward view and because of the unstable load.
Let’s talk about the latter cause. The common reason why operators reach through the mast is sometimes the load can become unstable during operation and reaching through the mast to put it in the proper place is a common habit. Without knowing, the operator is putting himself to a risky situation by doing it so.
Giving the operators sufficient training in every aspect of forklift operation will help reduce accident like this. Don’t wait for an accident to happen. If you think the operators deserve to get a refresher course on the safe use of the forklift, give them now. You can hire a trainer to conduct the training on-site or send them to school where they can take the training.
To Conclude This
To know how high a mast on a forklift will go, see the factory-installed nameplate. There you will find pertinent information. If you have an old truck and the data on the nameplate is no longer visible, consult a superior. It is important that you have the correct mast type and design for the application.
