When traveling on a ramp or incline, what should you do to the forklift and load?

• A. Keep forks low to floor, tilt the load back slightly, travel straight, avoid turns on the slope, and maintain a controlled, steady speed.
• B. Raise forks high to improve visibility.
• C. Turn on the slope to adjust alignment.
• D. Travel with the load raised high to maximize clearance.

Answer: (A)

On ramps or inclines, keeping the forklift stable is the key. The stability comes from where the center of gravity sits and how the load is carried. Keeping the forks low to the floor lowers the overall center of gravity, which makes tipping less likely and helps the forklift stay balanced on the slope. Tilting the load back slightly moves the load’s weight toward the rear of the machine and keeps the load pressed onto the forks, preventing it from sliding forward or causing a forward tip. Travel should be in a straight line to avoid sideways forces that can destabilize the rig on a slope, and you should avoid turning while on the incline because changing direction creates additional, hard-toManage forces that increase the risk of a tip-over. A controlled, steady speed maintains traction and gives you time to react to surface changes, reducing the chance of sudden instability.

Raising the forks high or carrying the load high on a slope raises the center of gravity and makes the system more prone to tipping, and turning on the slope adds dangerous lateral forces.