Long Load Handling
If you occasionally need to handle a long load which has a combination of weight and horizontal load center such that in order to pick it up and counterbalance it, you would need a much larger capacity truck than you normally use, it may be possible to use a smaller and lower capacity forklift truck in tandem with one or more dollies to move the load.
The load to be moved weighs 6,000 lbs. and is 96" long.
With uniform weight distribution, this load has a 48" horizontal center of gravity and a moment of 6,000 x 48 = 288,000 inch-pounds.
In order to pick up the load and couterbalance it for transport, you would need a truck with a net capacity rating of 12,000 lbs. @ 24" load center. Moment capacity of truck = 12,000 x 24 = 288,000 inch-pounds.
One possible solution is to lift one end of the load high enough to place one or more wheel dollies under the load to facilitate horizontal transport without having to counterbalance and lift the entire load with the forklift truck.
You may be able to use a straddle or fork-over design to place the load wheels out beyond the horizontal center of gravity of the load, thus reducing the counterbalance requirement and reducing the size and weight of the vehicle needed to handle the load.
Long loads can be moved using pairs of Wesco Rais-N-Rol machinery movers.