Best way to unload to unload bundles

[dbiel]

I am looking for recommendations on a spreader beam combination with a swivel to be able to unload full bundles of material off of truck and on to aframes.I have a 14,000 lb lift would a10,000 lb beam be enough or do I need 15,000 ?What set is working for you guys out there ?
Thanks in advance
Bob Faust

[UnitedMarble]

We've been using the Abaco M6 spreader bar to move bundles. 10k - 7.8k capacity depending on how far you spread the straps apart.

[Alex DiPietro]

Bob is your 14000 lift a forklift? I don't think thats enough to lift a bundle out on a boom...

Alex

[dbiel]

14,000 lb forklift would not be enough to lift 7 1000 lb slabs ? That is why i posed the question ,I'd hate to find out the hard way by dropping 7-8 slabs .What size forklift would be recommended?
Thanks in advance
Bob

[luke getz]

if your load is farther out from the forklift than where it is rated then you are risking tipping the forklift. if your forklift is rated for 14k at 24" out on the forks, but your load is hanging from the end of a boom that is 96" out, then your capacity is going to be much less. we have a boom that is extendable out to 12' so I went online to find a calculator for capacities on forklifts at different distances, and I calculated for each setting on the boom and then marked the boom at each location with its capacity( however, we have since gotten a new forklift, so this is a good reminder for me that I need to recalculate for the new one )

[luke getz]

this is the calculator I found
https://www.rightline.com/calculator.html#Capacity

for my case I have a #4000 capacity forklift ( at 24" center) but by the time i get out to 84" with the boom on, my capacity is around #1450 ( so only one slab)

[Alex DiPietro]

14,000 lb forklift would not be enough to lift 7 1000 lb slabs ? That is why i posed the question ,I'd hate to find out the hard way by dropping 7-8 slabs .What size forklift would be recommended?
Thanks in advance
Bob
[

I don't think any standardish forklift would carry a bundle the way you'd like, at the end of the boom. I'd look into one of those sard machines they use in italy. You can pick up a bundle with a forklift at the forks, by putting cables on the forks, but you won't be able to swivel the bundle

[Amroczka]

I just went over this the other day with a forklift rental place. He calculated that if the load center is 8 ft from the lift, i would need a 12k# telescopic lift.. anyone ever used one of those for bundles?

[luke getz]

I did look at using one of those to unload open top containers. I think you might have an issue with the angle of the boom on the telescopic lift interfering with being able to swivel the bundle all the way around unless you have long strap or chain so the bundle hangs low enough to clear it, but then you might run into clearance issues if you ever want to use it inside. I am sure it would work though if you had the right setup

[Amroczka]

What are the best straps to use for picking up bundles?

[Alex DiPietro]

This is a 12,000lb forklift. We had a hard time with an 8 slab bundle of slabs that measured 126x80. But we've been using the 12,000lb to unload containers the past couple weeks. With the exception of that one bundle it's moved everything.

[RBatstone]

New place Alex?

[dbiel]

Alex
I just bought the exact same set up from Braxton Bragg,Thought I had it figured out ,turns out my forklift is about 12-15 inches short of being able to unload off of delivery trucks .Now I have to buy a different boom or different forklift.

[Matt Lansing]

I used a 13,500 lb capacity Linde to unload bundles from closed top containers all the time. Some of the biggest bundles were a bit bouncy but it would do it. Just have to keep bundles close the mast when picked them up from the end.

[Greg H]

Can u just get a open top container and use a crane to off load the bundles Has anyone tried that?

[luke getz]

absolutely! that is the way we do it. we have a 5 ton crane and we use straps and a spreader bar to unload the bundles

[Omni Cubed Larry]

I've seen stack-type counterweights added to forklifts before. Seems like this would be helpful in this situation.
It would not increase lift capacity, but rather increases how high or far out the load can be, because it moves the center of gravity of the lift further back.