What is a forklift tipping bin?
A forklift tipping bin, also known as a tipping skip for forklifts, is a bin designed to efficiently transport loose materials and empty them into a larger bin.
Forklift tipping bins, AKA self-tipping bins, are hinged at the bottom. This allows them to be placed on the edge of a large receptacle, such as a commercial bin or dump truck, and tipped forward to empty their loads. Chains linking the bin with the forklift stop the bin from swinging too far. Some forklift bins/tipping bins feature a pour edge designed to make emptying the bin simpler, quicker and more controlled.
Forklift waste tipping bins are popular pieces of material handling equipment in factories and warehouses, and in industries such as waste management, manufacturing, food processing, and material production, often used in conjunction with a double girder gantry crane for efficient handling.
How to safely operate a tipping bin for forklifts
As large pieces of material handling equipment capable of moving heavy and potentially dangerous loads, safety should be the highest priority for any business that uses forklift tipping bins.
The following process gives you a broad idea of how such a bin might be used safely, but your safe operating procedure should always be adapted to the circumstances of your workplace and the specifics of the forklift tipper bin you’re using.
- Ensure all workers loading the bin and operating the bin or forklift are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): suitable clothing, gloves, footwear, safety glasses, hard hat, etc.
- Fully lower the bin to the ground before loading any waste or materials in.
- Ensure the load is completely contained within the bin (i.e. no overhang from materials that are too long or wide for the bin).
- Set the forklift tines to the appropriate width for the bin and equidistant from the centre of the forklift.
- Align the forklift with the bin, drive it forward so the tines enter the fork pockets, then secure the tipping bin with the retaining pins and restraint chains.
- Clear the area of workers, tools and other obstacles, then lift the full tipper bin to a height that offers suitable ground clearance while travelling.
- Once you’ve arrived at the emptying area, hook the feet of the bin over the lip of the waste bin/dump truck, then slowly lift up the tines to tip the bin.
- Once empty, slowly lower the tines to bring the bin tipper back to an upright position.
- Move the tipping bin a safe distance away from the waste bin/dump truck, lower the bin onto the ground, and disconnect the retaining pins and safety chain for removal of the attachment.
It should be noted that forklift tipping bins are similar to but distinct from crane tipping bins, so a slightly different operating procedure will need to be adopted by crane bin users.
Work smarter, quicker and safer
The specifics of your forklift tipping bin operating procedure will depend on a few unique factors: the materials you’re handling, the layout of your workplace, and any potential safety issues and challenges you can identify.
Understanding and mitigating tipping bin risks is far simpler with expert help. And at Stratalign we’ve got a proud history of helping Kiwi businesses secure and safely use the very best material handling equipment possible.
When you choose Stratalign you can be confident that you’ll not only find the perfect forklift tipping bin for your situation, but that you’ll be guided on using it in a way that makes your workers safer, your business more productive, and that ensures the tipper lasts the distance.
