Ensuring safety is not just important when operating forklift equipment but also during occasional transportation of the equipment to different sites. Forklift towing is one of the toughest jobs fleet managers encounter. Aside from being tasked with the responsibility of moving heavy machinery from one location to another, these managers are also expected to make sure the job is done with safety being given the utmost priority.

Forklift transport is not an easy job, but if you know how to go about it like an expert, you should not have any problems safely delivering your machinery at the location where it is needed. Here are some important tips you should keep in mind.

Select the right mode of transport: Forklift machines come in different sizes. The bigger the size of a machine, the heavier its weight. Therefore, the first thing to take into consideration is the weight of the machine you want to transport. Smaller forklifts may fit well at the back of large flatbed towing trucks. Plus, their relatively small weight shouldn't be a problem for a powerful truck to manage. But if you are going to transport a medium to large-sized machine, you might need something a bit larger than a towing truck. Usually, a tractor trailer will be the safest choice.

Get secure restraints for the machine: Once you have selected the safest mode of transport, you will have to shift attention to how you can secure the load at the loading area. Load securing is the most important part of the entire transport process because it affects the ability of your load to remain steady throughout the time it is being moved. Drive the forklift onto your trailer or into the back of your flatbed truck and tie it down with chains, tie-downs, come-alongs, straps, and any other items that may be needed for securing it. Secure the forklift wheels by placing wood obstructs at the back of each wheel. Make sure the forks of the machine are lowered and pointed toward the rear end of the trailer/flatbed. This way, the forks will not penetrate into the cab of the freight vehicle and cause injury in the event of a road accident. 

Stop fuel supply and disengage the battery: Cut off the supply of gasoline or diesel from the fuel tank, and make sure the tank is tightly closed so that no fuel can spill out during transport. Remove the battery terminal from the battery to minimise the risk of arcing.

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