Be Safe - Use Propane Tanks That Are Properly Certified

Did you know the propane tank on your forklift has a limited lifespane?  When is the last time you checked to see if your propane tank was out of certification? Do you even know where to check for your tanks certification date?  This article will provide you with information how to operate safely with properly certifed  propane tanks.

The most common type of LP Gas container is the propane cylinder, commonly known as a bottle. Cylinders range widely in size and use. Most people are familiar with propane bottles as the source of fuel for their gas grills. Industrial LP Gas consumers are also familiar as forklifts are commonly powered by propane and use cylinders as a portable gas supply source. Cylinders fall into two groups of propane service, liquid and vapor. Cylinders in liquid service are commonly found on forklifts while bottles in vapor service are easily spotted fueling a gas grill.

Propane powered forklifts primarily use 33 pound cylinders as their fuel source and are equipped for liquid service. Because the cylinders are designed for liquid service, they have to be placed properly on the lift truck to operate correctly. Improper cylinder installation can result in loss of power and eventually complete loss of engine functionality. Although industrial propane cylinders are within the 4-40 pound class, they do not require OPD valves in order to be refilled. When a 33 pound forklift cylinder is properly mounted on a lift truck, it will generally provide around 8 hours of continuous operation.

The most common portable tank is called a "DOT" tank, since it is built to conform to design and usage regulations established by the Federal Department of Transportation. Both horizontally and vertically mounted portable DOT tanks are available. The horizontal and vertical tanks are not interchangeable, and must be stored, filled, and used only in the specified horizontal or vertical mounting position.

National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) pamphlet 58 states that all DOT cylinders need to be recertified after 12 years from the manufacturing date and depending on what certifying method is used they are recertified every 5,7,12 years thereafter. Recertification involves a periodical documented inspection and testing of the cylinder to confirm that the cylinder is still safe and legal to remain in service.  The date of manufacturer are stamped on the bottle as shown in the photo above. 

When re-qualified, the portable propane cylinders must be marked according to DOT regulations. The marking must be made permanent through stamping or engraving and must include the month and year of the re-qualification, the method used and the re-qualifier's identification number. These markings must also follow one of four patterns specified in the DOT regulations to prevent tampering or other misuse

Hyundai Forklift Adds a New Member to the Family

Hyundai Forklift has announced that a small-frame 11,000 lb. diesel engine powered forklift truck has been UL certified and is now available to the U.S. market.

The truck is in a family consisting of 35/40/45DS-7E, and the model is designated 50DA-7E. It is built on the same frame as the 45D-7E, and dimensions are similar to that model forklift (see below comparisons).

Model		45DS-7E		50DA-7E		50DS-7E
Capacity		9,920#		11,020#		11,020#
Wheelbase		78.7"		78.7"		90.6"
Service Weight		15,170#		16,100#		21,760#
Tires (Front)		7.50-16-12		7.50-16-12		8.25-15-14
Tires (Rear)		7.00-12-12		7.00-12-12		8.25-15-14
Overhead Guard Height		88.2"		88.2"		98.4"
Overall Length		173.4"		175.2"		189.8"
Overall Width		69.9"		69.9"		82.2"
Fork Carriage Width		63"		63"		82.2"
Turning Radius		113.8"		116.1"		132.3"
Drawbar Pull		8,470#		8,530#		13,140#
Gradeability		31.80%		30.80%		36.50%

As an added bonus, the cost for this truck is more in line with its’ little brothers and 20+% lower than its’ larger cousin, the 50DS-7E. For the cost-conscious consumer, it is the ideal model forklift for their use, providing the lifting capacity that they need and excellent maneuverability in tight areas. Equipped with the Mitsubishi S6S-DT 91 HP diesel engine, it will supply all the power you will ever need in this size forklift. The 50D-7AE is available for sale immediately and prices are available by contacting your friendly Hyundai Forklift of Southern California sales team.

Check Out Our New and Improved Website

We have redesigned our webssite for greater ease of use and to provide greater insight into our great products and services.  Please Check it out at http://www.hyundaiforkliftsocal.com/.  Of Course, we will continue to do our best to provide you with regularly scheduled blog post of news and information about forklifts and their accessories.  So stay tuned.

Natural and Green Forklift Fuel Solutions

Walk into any warehousing facility, plant or manufacturing plant and you will find two things; a forklifts and an indoor air quality concern .

Gas forklifts, often fueled by liquid propane gas (LPG) or gasoline,  emit toxic exhaust emissions, smoke, fumes and odors. These emissions become quite serious when forklifts are operated in confined or porrly ventilated areas.

Is it bad for the forklift operators, as well as other workers, who are inhaling the fumes? Need proof, check your health and attendance records. Natural gas is the cleanest fuel available today, reducing emissions, such as carbon monoxide, by up to 95% over propane forklifts, as evidenced in the Environmental Protection Agency’s data comparisons in the chart below, which is still current as of 2010.  This means no more headaches for your workers, and no smell of propane.

Fossil Fuel Emission Levels

- Pounds per Billion Btu of Energy Input

Pollutant		Natural Gas	Oil	Coal
Carbon Dioxide		117,000	164,000	208,000
Carbon Monoxide		40	33	208
Nitrogen Oxides		92	448	457
Sulfur Dioxide		1	1,122	2,591
Particulates		7	84	2,744
Mercury		0	0.007	0.016

Source: EIA - Natural Gas Issues and Trends 1998

With cleaner burning natural gas, forklift operators and fellow workers are exposed to considerably less emissions. Cleaner indoor air also means less air changes and lower heating bills for those of you located in the colder climates.  And because of the simple chemical makeup of natural gas, your engine stays clean and tuned. Since natural gas is stored in permanently mounted tanks on your forklifts, there is no lifting of heavy propane bottles, eliminating potential back injuries.

The conversion from LP to Natural Gas is surprisingly easy and can be accomplished in a few hours. A new tank designed to hold compressed natural gas at 3,600 psig replaces the old LP tank along with fuel system components that deliver natural gas to the forklift engine.

Refueling CNG powered forklifts can be accomplished by either fast fill or time filling. Fast fill station designs allow forklifts to fuel in the matter of minutes, without changing out heavy propane tanks. Operators simply connect the forklift to a re-fueling post and transfer clean natural gas into the high pressure tank.

In time fill applications, forklifts connect to fill post assemblies and remain parked over an 8 hour period. Gas is then transferred to all the forklifts within this time period. When operators return, all the forklifts are refueled and ready to go.Operators can monitor how much CNG they have on-board their forklift and can easily replace the fuel without the worry of running out of propane tanks.

Call your service representative at Hyundai Forklift of Southern California for more details on this natural and green fuel solution

Know Your Forklift Loading Dock Safety Equipment

When attmepting to load or unload a trailer of container with a forklift at a truck high loading dock, you will need to have one of three pieces of equipment to make the transition safely.  You will eight need to have a DockPlate, a DockBoard, or a DockLeveler.

A DockPlate is a steel or aluminium plate with some type of locking leg and either hand hole or handles to move them. Plates are NEVER for power equipment. They are ideal for handtruck and pallet jack traffic, which is manually moved. They offer the lightest and most cost effective answer to your loading / unloading problem.

If you are planning on making this transition with a powered lift device like a forklift, then you need to have a DockLeveler or a DockBoard.  A DockBoard is similiar to a dock plate in that it is a steel or aluminum plate.  It is portable.  They differ from DockPlates but with the addition of structural components above the plate (curbs) and sometimes on the underside as is the case with rail boards. There are different types of locking devices from fixed legs to drop pins or locking rings.DockBoards are for forklift and other vehicle traffic. They are best specified by an expert who can take all aspects of your application into consideration.

The third piece of equipment is a DockLeveler.  This is a perminantly installed device. DockLevelers correct height differences between loading docks, loading platforms and truck or trailer beds.  They are installed on your loading dock edge and dock leveler is positioned by lifting a self-storing handle and pulling the handle to the dock floor. The latch assembly activates the lip forward to the floor of the trailer as the handle is lifted. When released, the handle automatically returns to a stored position.

Using one of these devices is critical to your safety when operating a forklift around a loading dock.  If you are not sure about which one is right for your, make sure to consult a forklift professional.  Discussion on the sues of this equipment is a vital part of any forklift safety program.  So make sure you cover these items in your forklift Safety Certification Program.

Sources: Bluff Manufacturiing Inc.