6K ROUGH-TERRAIN (RT) FORKLIFTS

The 6K rough-terrain (RT) forklifts (fig. 8-7) are all-wheel drive, all-wheel steer materials-handling equipment capable of lifting 6,000-pound loads to a height of 200 inches.

The 6K (RT) forklift is designed to handle loads over rough terrain consisting of unprepared or unstabilized surfaces, such as beaches, deep sand, snow, ice, or mud. The 6K (RT) is used primarily for loading and unloading flatbed trailers, landing craft, and other types of cargo vessels.

A hydraulic-operated forklift mechanism, mounted on the extreme front of the 6K (RT) forklift, provides for lifting, reaching, tilting, and sliding loads during material-handling operations.

A unique design feature of the rough-terrain forklift is an oscillating hydraulic cylinder that allows the rotation of the forklift frame about its longitudinal axis when being operated over rough terrain. The operator controls the rotation by manipulating the control that activates the oscillating hydraulic cylinder. The 6K (RT) forklift is also equipped with a power shift

Figure 8-7.-6K rough-terrain (RT) forklifts.

transmission for smooth acceleration, deceleration, and easy handling.

LIFT-KING FORKLIFT

The NCF has two types of lift-king forklifts (fig. 8-8) rated at 12K and 16K. These two models provide a lifting capacity of 12,000 to 16,000 pounds at a 48-inch load center to a height of 120 inches. The lift-king forklift is equipped with forklift oscillation, load side shift, lift interrupt, fork positioning, four-wheel and two-wheel-crab steering selection, and counterweight lowering.

The lift-king forklift is equipped with an inching control that is controlled by the inching pedal located to the left of the brake pedal. Depressing the inching pedal slightly varies the amount of oil pressure in the transmission, allowing the forklift to be "inched" along slowly while the engine is operated at high speed for fast lifts. When the inching pedal is depressed fully, the transmission is disengaged.

NOTE: Do not use the inching pedal as a clutch and under high-torque requirements.

The mast of the lift-king forklift is equipped with a lift interrupt device that prevents lifting the fork assembly above 43 inches from the ground. This is a safety device to prevent raising the mast while inside an aircraft and causing extensive damage. To lift loads higher than 43 inches, you must press the red-colored manual lift interrupt override button. This button allows the forks to attain their maximum lift height when required.

The lift-king forklift is air transportable; however, where the load per axle weight cannot be exceeded, the front carriage assembly and rear counterweight must be removed. The procedure of carriage removal is as follows:

1. Lower the forks to the ground and tilt the mast slightly forward to produce slack in the lifting chains.

2. Remove the lower chain anchor pins.

3. Raise the mast above the carriage rollers and back the forklift out, leaving the forks and carriage on the ground.

NOTE: For reinstallation, the procedures are simply reversed.

The procedure for counterweight removal is as follows:

1. Remove the two bolts (one on each side of the forklift) that secures the counterweight (fig. 8-9).

2. Lower the counterweight lifting arm to rest the counterweight on the ground (hydraulic control lever is located in the back of the operator's cab to the right of the seat).

3. Remove the pin from the shackle to disconnect the arm from the counterweight. Remember: Store the bolts and the pin in the toolbox.

4. Drive the forklift away from the counterweight.

NOTE: When the lift-king forklift is transported on a tractor-trailer, seal the exhaust pipe to prevent autorotation of the turbocharger turbine due to wind velocity. Failure to do so can result in damage to the turbine bearing due to lack of lubrication.

Figure 8-8.-Lift-king forklift.

Figure 8-9.-Counterweight.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachments give forklifts versatility that allow them to do more work efficiently; however, you must remember that the attachment may reduce the capacity of the forklift by changing the center of gravity of the load.