Forklift Blades 101: Choosing the Right Blade for Your Job
A forklift can handle more than lifting and moving loads when equipped with the right blade attachment. Hotwood's offers three forklift blade designs for pushing and clearing applications, with different spring action, blade angles, and available widths. Choosing between them depends on the surface, the material being moved, and how the blade needs to respond when it encounters an obstacle.
The Ridged Mount SR, Spring Loaded SL, and 15 Degree Angle AB each have different operating characteristics. Understanding those differences can help you choose the appropriate blade design and width for your forklift and application.
Comparing The Common Forklift Blade Designs
The biggest difference between the SR and the other two blades is whether the blade itself can move on impact. The Ridged Mount SR mounts rigidly, without the spring action of the SL and AB. The Spring Loaded SL and the 15 Degree Angle AB both use tensioned springs mounted on the blade, letting it fold forward on contact and spring back to upright.
The second difference is direction. The SR and SL both push straight ahead. The AB blade angles 15 degrees left or right, so material gets redirected to one side instead of building up directly in front of the forklift.
The three designs differ primarily in how the blade responds when it encounters an obstacle, whether it pushes straight or at an angle, and which widths are available. Available widths also vary by model. The main differences are the blade's movement, angle, and available widths. Those characteristics determine how each design behaves during pushing and clearing work.
Width is the third variable, and it isn't interchangeable across models. The SR comes in 52", 65", 72", and 96". The SL and AB are both available in 52", 65", and 72", with no 96" option for either.
The Ridged Mount SR features a rigid design without a spring and comes in straight widths of 52", 65", 72", and 96". The Spring Loaded SL has a spring-loaded design with straight widths of 52", 65", and 72". The 15 Degree Angle AB features a spring-loaded design angled at 15° and is available in left- or right-facing configurations, with widths of 52", 65", and 72".
Ridged Mount SR
The Ridged Mount SR forklift blade mounts by sliding the forklift fork teeth into the channel iron at the back of the blade and securing the four set bolts on top. It is available in 52", 65", 72", and 96" widths.
Because the SR has no spring mechanism, the blade doesn't give when it meets something solid. Hotwood's positions this model for a site with a large concrete apron and no curbing, where there's nothing underneath the material that would require the blade to deflect.
The main trade-off is the lack of spring action. Because the blade does not deflect when it encounters a solid object, this design is intended for applications where curbs and other fixed obstacles are not expected. If the work area has curbs or other fixed obstacles, the Spring Loaded SL or 15 Degree Angle AB provides spring action that the rigid SR does not.
Spring Loaded SL
The Spring Loaded SL forklift blade uses tensioned springs mounted on the blade. When the blade encounters a curb or another fixed object, it can move forward against the spring tension and then return to its upright position. This gives the blade a degree of deflection that the rigid SR does not have.
It's available in 52", 65", and 72" widths.
The spring-loaded design is intended for applications where curbs or other fixed objects may be encountered. It provides a different operating response from the rigid SR, making it an option to consider when the work area has potential obstacles.
15 Degree Angle AB
The 15 Degree Angle AB forklift blade angles 15 degrees to the left or right, letting the operator push material to one side rather than straight ahead. Like the SL, it uses a spring-loaded design, so the blade folds forward and springs back to upright on contact with a solid object.
It's available in 52", 65", and 72" widths. There is no 96" version of this model.
The angled design is useful when material needs to be directed toward a particular side of the work area. The angled design is intended for moving material, including snow, to one side rather than pushing it straight ahead.
Choosing the Right Forklift Blade Width and Fit
Picking a width isn't the same as picking the right blade. A 65" blade that's the correct width for the job can still be the wrong choice if the design doesn't suit the site, or if it doesn't fit the forklift it's going on.
Forklift fit should be confirmed before ordering. Check the fork dimensions and mounting requirements for your forklift against the specifications for the blade you're considering. Before ordering, confirm your forklift's fork tooth width and fork spread, not just the blade width that looks right for the job. If you're unsure which blade or width fits your equipment and application, we can help you decide before you place an order.
Hotwood's full lineup of forklift blades covers all three designs across their available widths, so you can compare them side by side before deciding which one fits your job.
