With nearly one million forklifts hard at work every day in the U.S., coupled with strict OSHA rules to ensure adherence to a specified maintenance schedule, Stertil-Koni has reported strong, growing quarterly sales results for its forklift adapters.
These accessories from Stertil-Koni have been engineered to meet the escalating need to embrace safe, efficient techniques for servicing the ubiquitous forklift.
The numbers tell a compelling tale and underscore why safety is a top priority.
According to the Industrial Truck Association, there are about 855,900 forklifts in the U.S. and OSHA estimates that each year forklift accidents result in 34,900 injuries that are classified as “serious” and 61,800 that are “non-serious.”
“Operator training is essential,” noted Peter Bowers, technical sales manager for Stertil-Koni. “But so is regular forklift maintenance.”
OSHA has specific rules surrounding the maintenance of industrial trucks which include forklifts. These are found under the compliance section 1910.178(q). Most experts recommend that any lift truck which gets continuous use be serviced by a fully trained and licensed technician on a regular basis. Oil changes, greasing and mast adjustment are just a few of the checklist items.
But forklifts pose other challenges. These are heavy vehicles and their weight is not evenly distributed.
“That’s precisely why,” continued Bowers, “Stertil-Koni has engineered our forklift adapters.” Using two Stertil-Koni mobile column lifts, any forklift weighing no more than the capacity of both columns, can be safely lifted with the companion components – the Stertil-Koni drive-on runways. “The result is a quick, safe and reliable way to perform wheels-free lifting and forklift servicing that is ergonomically designed with the vehicle and the technician in mind,” stated Bowers.
With the average forklift weighing approximately 9,000 lbs, two of Stertil-Koni’s ST1085 mobile column lifts can easily accomplish the task, according to the company. The ST 1085s have a capacity of 18,500 lbs per column, hence the Stertil-Koni forklift adapter and two ST 1085 mobile columns can easily lift up to a 37,000 lbs forklift.
What’s more, the drive-on height of the runway with the Stertil-Koni forklift adapters is only five inches and ramps are available for three or four wheel forklifts – all with wheels-free lifting. Concluded Bowers, “Stertil-Koni Mobile Column Lifts, coupled with our forklift adapters, are particularly well suited to these types of lifting situations, such as forklifts, in which the vehicle clearance is low and the weight is not distributed evenly.”
