Posted By Neil Koskie
Dear All

We have several fork lift trucks which are frequently driven outside. The nature of the job means that our drivers have to drive the FLT outside in all weather conditions.

The drivers are complaining that in wet conditions, the back end of the truck skids outwards when going around corners even at very low speeds.

All drivers are fully trained on safe driving of FLT's and the trucks are regularly maintained.

Can anyone suggest a way to stop this happening - different tyres, floor coverings etc.

Your advice would be appreciated.

Neil

Posted By Paul Cowell
Neil,
Is the problem caused when the trucks are coming in to the warehouse from the yard?,if yes then why not try having one truck un loading/loading outside picking up/putting down at the door and another truck working inside picking up/putting down.Thats how we tackle the problem,it`s the wet tyres on the smooth warehouse floor thats caused us this same problem.

Posted By George Wedgwood
You do not mention what you mean by "low speeds" so I am assuming that those speeds are still too fast for the conditions - FLTs have very smooth tyres if solid and then can lose friction in the wet. Good training will tell the operators that speed reduction must be made to match the conditions. Additionally, you will have to fit speed limiters to your FLTs and it may be possible to have this control in two stages - one speed for wet and one for dry - ask you supplier. I have recently been part of an initiative in my company to address FLT safety and we have procured all new FLTs with "didBOX" driver key controls and speed limiters fitted, to limit at 5 mph. The main problem being that there is no speed indicator fitted to most FLTS, so the operator does not know the truck is travelling too fast.

The obvious message is the same for the road - drive to the conditions!