Forklift Tyne Guide
Forklift forks often referred to as tynes (tines) are an integral part of every forklift.
They are used to support, lift and carry all loads.
Ensuring that your forklifts tynes are in good condition and correctly rated to lift a desired load is integral to worker safety.
In this guide we explain common tyne terminology, discuss the different types of tynes available and provide some operating safety tips.
Common Forklift Tyne Terminology
The diagram below labels and defines the parts of a forklift tyne.
Blade: the horizontal part of the tyne that supports and lifts the load
Tip: the end of the tyne blade that is inserted into the pallet when lifting a load
Shank: the vertical part of the tyne
Heel: the intersection point of the blade and shank
Hook: hooks attached to the shank that support the tynes on the forklift
Locking Pins: positioned on the top of the hooks, used to position and secure the tynes to the forklift carriage
Taper: the difference in tyne thickness from the heel (thickest part) to the tip (thinnest part)
How to Read Forklift Tyne Dimensions
Forklift tyne dimensions are normally provided as width (W) x thickness (T) x length (L) alongside their class.
A tynes class is determined by combining the class of forklift truck and the fork drop.
The diagram below shows the main dimensions of forklift tynes.
Carriage Plate Height ©: tynes are mounted on a forklift carriage
Fork Drop (D): measurement from the top of the lower hook to the floor
Length of fork (L): measurement from the end of the tip to the shank. Length can be given in mm or inches – common lengths are 1,219mm, 1,829mm and 2,438mm
Width (W): width measurement from the widest point of the tyne
Thickness (T): measurement of the thickness of the tyne shank
Spread: measurement of the width between the tynes from outside edge to outside edge
Types of Forklift Tynes
Forklift tynes are most commonly manufactured out of tough steel, this is used due to its toughness and how they maintain high tensile strength during forging.
Some of the most common types of forklift tynes are described below.
Hook Tynes
The most common mounting method for tynes is via hook.
The tynes are slid onto the forklift carriage sideways and are locked in place with a spring loaded pin.
Pin Type & Bar Type
The tynes have a guide and are attached to a shaft.
Often found on larger high capacity forklifts and construction machines such as telehandlers.
Drum Handling Tynes
Tynes that have a section cut out of the side of the forks to enable a drum to be lifted.
Coil Handling Tynes
Inside edge of the tynes are “chamfered” to provide a surface for the coil to sit on.
Explosion Proof
For forklifts that are being operated in explosive environments then the tynes are clad in stainless steel to prevent sparking.
Food and Beverage Industry
Forklifts that are used in the food industry are typically clad in stainless steel as they are regularly washed down to maintain cleanliness to adhere to strict hygiene standards.
Lumber Tynes
Tynes that have a thin and wide blade for ease when inserting into loads of timber lengths.
Forklift Tyne Safety Tips
Below are some common safety tips to ensure your forklift tynes are in good condition to properly support and safely lift full loads.
Visual Inspections
At the beginning of a shift or before use conduct a visual inspection
Check for any tyne damage
Make sure the tynes are in the correct position and secured with their locking pins
Inspect for wear at the heel of the fork – if the original thickness has been worn by 10% or more do not use the tynes as they need to be replaced (At 10% of wear a tynes load capacity is reduced by 20%)
Know Your Tynes Rated Capacity
Make sure the load you are attempting to lift is within the forklift and its tynes safe rated capacity.
Do not attempt to overload a forklift as this can adversely affect the units stability and lead to serious injury or fatality were it to tip over.
Ensure Load Weight is Distributed Evenly
Always insert and use both tynes to lift a load, distributing weight unevenly over an individual tyne can negatively affect a forklifts stability heightening the chances of it tipping over sideways and causing injury or damage to the load.
It is also imperative that the load sits flush up against the forklift backrest again to enhance stability and not have the forklift tip forwards.
Do Not Transport People
Tynes are designed to safely lift palletised and similar loads, they must NOT be used to transport people
Only Use Qualified Service Technicians
For all tyne servicing, repair, replacements or modifications must be completed by a trained and experience forklift service technician.
Maintain Tyne Integrity
Do not weld or drill any holes into tynes as this will weaken their structural integrity increasing the chances they will break under the weight of a load.
8 Ton Capacity Forklift Fork Class ISO 4A
China Manufactured Forklift Pallet Forks ITA / FEM Type
High Mechanical Strength Forklift Fork Blade Point
Chinese ITA / FEM Standard Pallet Fork
ITA / FEM Type Fork Tines Suitable for Most Forklifts
7T Capacity Heavy Duty Forklift Forks
ISO Standardized Material Handling Fork
Quality Heat Treated ITA Forklift Forks
