Solid Wood Products 2643 



FORKLIFT-TRUCK MODIFICATION TO REDUCE DAMAGE 



Most damage to deckboards is caused by loads applied by forklift trucks 

 during pallet handling, rather than by the product load. R. K. Stem (1973, 1975) 

 found that use of an impact panel (fig. 22-41) to better distribute forklift-truck 

 impact loads against stringer ends, rather than concentrate them on the deck- 

 boards, significantly reduced pallet damage. 



3.75 LB CHANNEL 



2^"x|"cAP SCREW 



M 142 201, M 141 427 

 Figure 22-41.— Modified fork tine assembly developed by the U.S. Forest Products 

 Laboratory to lower unit stresses caused by handling. Inset: Detail of impact panel 

 used in this research. (Photo and drawing from R. K. Stern 1975.) 



