VETTER Industrie GmbH

Folding forks

Raise the forks!

Folding forks are always sensible when folding up the fork blade can prevent hazardous situations. Furthermore, the space required by the truck can be significantly reduced and manoeuvrability increased. Typical applications are road traffic, outdoor use and restricted spaces.

The engineering and production of folding forks are subject to the highest requirements and absolute accuracy. The heel area of a fork is generally the section under the greatest stress. In the case of folding forks, the heel area consists of a pin suspension instead of solid material, meaning that utmost attention needs to be paid to this area.

Product benefits

Fulfilling ISO 2330 is of utmost importance for the safe use of forks and a long service life. VETTER is the only manufacturer that complies with this standard for folding forks:

  • Dynamic loading: at least 1,000,000 load cycles at 25% overload
  • Static loading: no permanent deformation when subjected to the three times the rated capacity

The high quality standards are checked regularly on the VETTER test rigs and further optimized.

When a machine turns a corner, the fork always comes first. This involves major risks, not only in road traffic. Then, especially when it is dark, forks can be easily overseen. Folding forks put an end to this. When the fork blade folds up, your machine is always on the move safely.

Confined spaces pose a particular challenge for every machine operator and make it difficult or even impossible to access all areas. 
The folding forks blade has the advantage that significantly less space is required (e.g. when transporting machines), resulting in substantially improved manoeuvrability.

Folding forks need to withstand a lot of wear and tear, and particularly in the heal area they are subject to very high loads. 
The VETTER engineering team thus designs every single component for maximum quality and safety, e.g.:

  • Rotating pin suspension to avoid contact corrosion
  • Tempered pin made of special material
  • Connection plates optimised using finite elements analysis to reducestress levels

Folding forks are delivered with full documentation and in accordance with the requirements of the EC Machinery Directive (CE marking). Their use thus meets all statutory requirements!

Applications

  • Machinery used in road traffic

  • Confined spaces

  • Outdoor use

  • Construction industry

  • Agricultural industry

Versions

Folding forks inner hinge

  • Single-pin suspension
  • Free movement of the blade in the operating position
  • Fork shank and fork blade widths are identical
  • Optimised heel geometry
  • Entire blade length can be used
  • Locking of the fork blade by means of a safety clamp

Folding forks outer hinger

For the most demanding operating conditions:

  • Connecting plates are mounted on the outside and the heel area is wider
  • Width of fork blade can be smaller
  • Higher capacity with same cross-section (compared to inner hinge)
  • Single-pin suspension to allow free movement of the blade in the operating position
  • Locking of the fork blade by means of a safety clamp

Folding forks DuoLoc

The best choice for machines with interchangeable working tools:

  • Robust double-pin suspension
  • Fork blade locked in the operating position
  • No unintentional folding up of blade
  • Transfer of the fork carriage tilt to the fork blade
  • Easy setting down and picking up of the fork carrier
  • Locking of the fork blade by means of a safety bolt