No tipping, please
A liftgate can be a tremendous boon to loading and unloading, especially when what you carry is heavy or awkward. But improper operation can cause unwelcome surprises.
Liftgates are a popular addition to many Mitsubishi Fuso trucks. They're great for getting heavy or awkward loads into or out of the truck at curb side for residential deliveries, or for commercial deliveries when a loading dock isn't available. They add versatility to just about any operation.
In fact, seeing a liftgate on the back of a new truck brings a smile to the face of just about any route driver. As the owner of the truck, what you never want to see is the liftgate of your truck planted solidly on the ground, its cargo knocked asunder, while the nose of the truck and the front wheels stretch precariously into the air, eight feet off the ground.
That sounds scary, and it can be, but follow a few simple rules regarding liftgate use and you should never see one of your trucks in that position.
Liftgate safety
Whenever you operate a liftgate, you should be aware of these safety rules. You should also train anyone else on your staff who might possibly operate the liftgate to learn the same rules.
- Know the maximum weight the liftgate is capable of lifting (according to the liftgate manufacturer's specifications).
- Ask your body builder or local Mitsubishi Fuso dealer to calculate the maximum load you can safely place on the liftgate when the truck is empty, without tipping the truck.
- Know the weight of the load being lifted, and its approximate center of gravity. Never exceed the maximum weights identified in #1 and #2 above.
- Always move the load off the liftgate and push the cargo forward into the truck as far as possible before lowering the liftgate for another load.
If you have any questions about liftgate safety or use, consult your body builder or liftgate supplier.
About Mitsubishi Fuso
Headquartered in Logan Township, NJ, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. (MFTA) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Kawasaki, Japan, an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG. With a 25-year heritage in North America, MFTA is focused on delivering trucks with the lowest cost of ownership in their class. Its Class 3-5 diesel-powered, medium-duty cabover trucks are available through more than 200 dealer locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. More than 100,000 Mitsubishi Fuso standard, 4-wheel-drive and crew cab trucks have been sold in North America to fulfill the transportation needs of a wide variety of businesses and industries, including beverage, catering, refrigerated and dry cargo delivery fleets, vehicle recovery, towing, pest control, plumbing, light construction and landscaping. For more information, visit http://www.mitfuso.com, follow FusoTruck on Twitter, or see our Facebook page.
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For more information:
Joshua T. Tregear, MFTA
Manager, Marketing & Communications
856-467-3965
jtregear@mitfuso.com
Ted R. Arnold, AB&C
Senior Account Supervisor
215-351-4212
tarnold@a-b-c.com
