Vestil HOOK-BASE User manual

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 1 of 8
HOOK-BASE
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Receiving instructions:
After delivery, IMMEDIATELY remove the packaging. Inspect the product closely to determine whether it
sustained damage during transport. If damage is discovered, immediately record a complete description
of the damage on the bill of lading. If the product is undamaged, discard the packaging.
NOTES:
1) Compliance with laws, regulations, codes, and non-voluntary standards enforced in the location where
the product is used is exclusively the responsibility of the owner/end-user.
2) VESTIL is not liable for any injury or property damage that occurs as a consequence of failing to apply either:
a) Instructions in this manual; or b) Information provided on labels affixed to the product.
Vestil is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages caused by failure to apply the
instructions in this manual.
VESTIL MANUFACTURING CORP.
2999 North Wayne Street, P.O. Box 507, Angola, IN 46703
Telephone: [phone] -or- Toll Free [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.vestilmfg.com
e
-
mail:
[email protected]
Table of Contents
Signal Words….……………………..……………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Hazards of Improper Use…..……………………………………………………………..………………………………… 2
Specifications………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
FIG. 1: HOOK-BASE exploded parts diagrams & bills of materials…………...…………….…………………………. 4
Use Instructions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 - 6
Inspections & Maintenance…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Labeling Diagram……...…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Limited Warranty…...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 2 of 8
Signal Words:
This manual classifies personal injury risks and situations that could lead to property damage with SIGNAL
WORDS. A safety message appears with a signal word that describes an improper/dangerous use of the product.
The signal word indicates the seriousness of the injury that could result from the described use.
Identifies a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in DEATH or
SERIOUS INJURY.
Identifies practices likely to result in product/property damage, such as operation that might
damage the product.
Each person who assembles, installs, uses, or maintains this product should read the entire manual in advance
and fully understand the directions. If after reading the manual you do not understand an instruction, ask your
supervisor or employer for clarification, because failure to adhere to the directions in this manual might result in
serious personal injury.
Hazards of Improper Use:
Vestil diligently strives to identify foreseeable hazards associated with the use of its products. However, material
handling is inherently dangerous and no manual can address every conceivable risk. The end-user ultimately is
responsible for exercising sound judgment at all times.
Improper or careless use of this product might result I serious personal injuries.
Failure to read and understand the entire manual before assembling, installing, using or servicing the
product is a misuse of the product.Read the manual to refresh your understanding of proper use and maintenance
procedures.
DO NOT exceed the maximum rated load (see Label 287 on product; also shown on p. 7).
Inspect the product before each use. DO NOT use this device if the inspection reveals: 1) broken, missing, or
deformed safety chain; 2) damaged fork pockets; 3) cracked welds; 4) enlarged openings for fasteners (i.e. bolts used
to fasten towing attachments to the HOOK-BASE); 5) corrosion, or 6) severe wear. DO NOT use the HOOK-BASE until
it is fully restored to normal condition.
Before attaching the HOOK-BASE to the tongue/coupler and latch of a trailer or other towable equipment, inspect the
coupler and latch and confirm that all parts are structurally sound. DO NOT use the HOOK-BASE to tow a trailer or
other towable equipment UNLESS the coupler seats properly on the selected ball hitch and latches securely.
Always test the soundness of the connection between the lifting hook of the HOOK-BASE and the suspended load,
by lifting the load a few inches off of the ground. Load swing should be minimal and the load should not shift. If the load
is not stable while suspended, return it to the ground and adjust the position of the load in the rigging.
Avoid and minimize load swing. Position the lifting hook directly above the center of the top of the load; then attach
the load to the hook with appropriate rigging and slowly raise the load.
DO NOT remove or obscure any label. Verify the placement and legibility of all labels as shown in the Labeling
Diagram on p. 7. DO NOT use this device UNLESS all product labels are readable and undamaged.
DO NOT ride or sit on the HOOK-BASE.
DO NOT use the HOOK-BASE to tow anything if and while people are onboard.
DO NOT use the lifting hook to lift any apparatus that supports people, such as a work platform.
DO NOT leave suspended loads or towed equipment unattended. Always move the towed item to its desired location,
properly immobilize it, and then disengage it from the towing attachment (ball, pintle hook, etc.).
Always lower to the ground any load suspended from the lifting hook and disengage it from the hook before leaving
the load unattended.
DO NOT modify the HOOK-BASE without written approval from Vestil. Unauthorized modifications automatically
void the Limited Warranty (see p. 8) and might make the HOOK-BASE unsafe to use.
ONLY raise the forks as high as necessary to put the trailer in a horizontal (level) position for towing. If using the
hoist hook attachment, only raise the forks as high as necessary to raise the load off of the ground and to avoid contact
with obstacles in the travel path.
DO NOT use the HOOK-BASE to transport anything but trailers or equipment designed to be towed. The towing
attachment, e.g. ball or pintle hook, should match the towing adapter on the trailer or other towable equipment.
ONLY use this HOOK-BASE consistent with the fork truck training you received.
DO NOT modify the HOOK-BASE or any component of it in any way UNLESS you first obtain written approval from
Vestil. Unauthorized modifications automatically void the Limited Warranty (see p. 8) and might make the lift unsafe to
use.
DO NOT use the lifter UNLESS all product labels (see Labeling Diagram on p. 7) are readable and undamaged.

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 3 of 8
Specifications:
Dimensions and other specifications of each standard model HOOK-BASE appear in the diagrams and tables below.
Ball Hitches Ball Diameter Shank Diameter Maximum Rated Load Net Weight
BALL-178 17/8” 1” 2,000 lb. 3 lb.
BALL-200 2” 1” 5,000 lb. 3 lb.
BALL-2516 25/16” 1” 5,000 lb. 4 lb.
HITCH-3B 17/8”, 2”, & 25/16”
N/A (hitches
permanently mounted to
2”x2”x12” square tube)
2,000 lb.
3,500 lb.
7,500 lb.
12 lb.
Model Jaw Opening Vertical Capacity Uniform Trailer Capacity Net Weight
PINTLE
Use with 3” (inner
diameter) pintle ring
1¾” (~4½ cm) 2,000 lb. 10,000 lb. 12 lb.
Model A B C D E Capacity Net Weight
HOOK-BASE-32 40” 36” 323/8” 0.77” 19.91” 4,000 lb. 87 lb.
HOOK-BASE-38 46” 42” 383/8” 0.74” 23.08” 4,000 lb. 95 lb.
HOOK-BASE-44 52” 48” 443/8” 0.72” 26.23” 4,000 lb. 103 lb.

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 4 of 8
FIG. 1: Exploded parts diagram
Use Instructions: Refer to FIG. 1 (above) for locations of features described.
Step 1: Select the appropriate towing attachment and fasten it to the HOOK-BASE.
TOW BALL
1) Insert the tow ball
through the opening in
the top of the cross-
member.
2) Fasten the tow ball to
the HOOK-BASE: first
apply a lock washer to
each bolt; then apply a
hex nut. Fully tighten the
nuts to secure the
connections.
PINTLE HOOK
1) Insert the bolts through the four bolt holes in the
cross member (shown by dashed arrows).
2) Fasten the pintle hook to the HOOK-BASE: first
apply a lock washer to each bolt; then apply a hex nut.
Fully tighten the nuts to secure the connections.
Cross
member
Front
end
Hitch
opening
Tine lock
bracket
Fork
pocket
Item
no. Part no. Description Qty.
1 08-514-140
08-514-139
08-514-102
Frame weldment:
HOOK-BASE-32
HOOK-BASE-38
HOOK-BASE-42
1
1
1
2 45286
#11 hitch pin clip,
1
/8” x
25/
8
” 2
3 14-612-001 Pin, lock, weldment 2
4 09-145-018
5/16” chain 56” long 1
5 08-145-041 Snap hook,
5/16” 1

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 5 of 8
Step 2: Remove the locking pins from the tine lock brackets and adjust the positions of the forks of your lift truck to
match the locations of the fork pockets. Slowly drive the truck forward until the forks extend all the way through the
fork pockets and the heels of the forks contact the ends of the fork pockets (the tine lock brackets should project
behind the heel of the forks). Secure the HOOK-BASE to the forks by reinstalling the tine lock pins; then secure the
lock pins in place with hitch pins (3).
2
3
1
Tine lock bracket
Secure tine lock pins with hitch pins
a
b
3-BALL HITCH (model HITCH-3B)
Select the appropriate tow ball and insert the hitch through the (square) hitch opening (see FIG. 1 on p. 4) in the
cross-member with the selected tow ball facing upwards. Align the pin holes in the hitch with the pin holes in the
hitch brackets. Insert the lock pin through the pin holes and secure it in place with a hitch pin.
2”
2
5
/
16
”
1
7
/
8
”
Heel of
fork
Side view of
fork

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 6 of 8
Step 3: Fasten the safety chain to the carriage
of the forklift WITH NO SLACK by looping the
safety chain around the carriage and attaching
the snap hook at the end of the chain to the
quick link. Wrap the chain around the carriage
a few times if necessary to remove slack from
the chain. The chain must not be able to
disconnect from the carriage without deliberate
effort.
Step 4: Connect the trailer or other item to be towed to the towing attachment. Raise the forks sufficiently to put
the tongue of the trailer in a horizontal position.
To connect a trailer to the pintle hook attachment:
a) Unlock the snapper pin and remove it from the upper jaw of the pintle hook;
b) Open the jaws by pressing the upper jaw upwards, while also pressing the opening lever forward.
The jaw will maintain the open position when the lever is pressed all the way forward.
Snap hook
Quick link
The chain is an essential safety-enhancing feature. This photograph shows the safety chain
wrapped around the forklift carriage and proper attachment of the snap hook to the quick link. However, in
order to show the necessary connections, slack is left in the chain. To properly use the chain, wrap it around
the carriage a sufficient number of times to remove all slack.The chain will not prevent the drum lifter from
sliding off of the forks if it is improperly connected to the fork carriage
Fork carriage
Safety chain
with snap
hook
Unlock snapper pin and
then pull out the pin
Press upwards on upper jaw
and press opening lever
forward
Pintle jaws open
a
2
b

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Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 7 of 8
Inspections & Maintenance:
Proper use, maintenance, and storage are essential for this product to function properly.
oInspect the unit as described and at least as frequently as recommended.
oUse the product in accordance with the instructions in this manual.
oStore the HOOK-BASE and all towing and lifting attachments in a dry location.
Before each use, inspect the HOOK-BASE to confirm that it is in normal condition.
1. Safety chain and snap hook (attached to the free end of the safety chain): confirm that the spring latch (of the
hook) automatically closes firmly. Do not continue to use the HOOK-BASE if the tine locks, snap hook, chain,
or quick link are damaged or worn severely enough to prevent normal function.
2. Labeling: all labels should be readable and located as shown in the “Labeling Diagram” below. If a label is
unreadable or missing, contact Vestil to order a replacement.
At least 1 time per month, inspect:
1. Fasteners (hardware):
Bolts, nuts, washers, pins, cotter pins;
Chain and snap hook.
2. Fork pockets: confirm that each pocket is structurally sound and free of significant rust. Do not use the HOOK-
BASE if the fork pockets are structurally compromised.
3. Welds: confirm that all welds are intact. Only use this product if all welds are in normal, undamaged condition.
4. Towing attachments, fork pockets, and cross-members: confirm normal condition, i.e. no structural
deformation, warps, or cracks, etc.
5. Overall condition: the structure should be clean, square and rigid, and free of rust and corrosion. Remove dirt
and debris. Do not use the HOOK-BASE if the supporting frame is significantly rusted or corroded.
Labeling Diagram:
The product should always be labeled as shown in the diagram below. Replace all labels that are missing, damaged,
faded, or not easily readable.
A
B C
A: Label 287
B: Label 218
C: Label 658

Rev. 12/23/2016 HOOK-BASE, MANUAL
Copyright 2016 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 8 of 8
LIMITED WARRANTY
Vestil Manufacturing Corporation (“Vestil”) warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship
during the warranty period. Our warranty obligation is to provide a replacement for a defective original part if the part
is covered by the warranty, after we receive a proper request from the warrantee (you) for warranty service.
Who may request service?
Only a warrantee may request service. You are a warrantee if you purchased the product from Vestil or from an
authorized distributor AND Vestil has been fully paid.
What is an “original part”?
An original part is a part used to make the product as shipped to the warrantee.
What is a “proper request”?
A request for warranty service is proper if Vestil receives: 1) a photocopy of the Customer Invoice that displays the
shipping date; AND 2) a written request for warranty service including your name and phone number. Send requests
by any of the following methods:
Mail Fax Email
Vestil Manufacturing Corporation [phone] [email protected]
2999 North Wayne Street, PO Box 507 Phone
Angola, IN 46703 [phone]
In the written request, list the parts believed to be defective and include the address where replacements should be
delivered.
What is covered under the warranty?
After Vestil receives your request for warranty service, an authorized representative will contact you to determine
whether your claim is covered by the warranty. Before providing warranty service, Vestil may require you to send the
entire product, or just the defective part or parts, to its facility in Angola, IN. The warranty covers defects in the
following original dynamic components: motors, hydraulic pumps, electronic controllers, switches and cylinders. It
also covers defects in original parts that wear under normal usage conditions (“wearing parts”), such as bearings,
hoses, wheels, seals, brushes, and batteries.
How long is the warranty period?
The warranty period for original dynamic components is 90 days. For wearing parts, the warranty period is 90 days.
The warranty periods begin on the date when Vestil ships the product to the warrantee. If the product was purchased
from an authorized distributor, the periods begin when the distributor ships the product. Vestil may, at its sole
discretion, extend the warranty periods for products shipped from authorized distributors by up to 30 days to account
for shipping time.
If a defective part is covered by the warranty, what will Vestil do to correct the problem?
Vestil will provide an appropriate replacement for any covered part. An authorized representative of Vestil will contact
you to discuss your claim.
What is not covered by the warranty?
1.Labor;
2.Freight;
3.
Occurrence of any of the following, which automatically voids the warranty:
Product misuse;

Negligent operation or repair;
Corrosion or use in corrosive conditions;
Inadequate or improper maintenance;
Damage sustained during shipping;
Accidents involving the product;
Unauthorized modifications: DO NOT modify the product IN ANY WAY without first receiving written
authorization from Vestil. Modification(s) might make the product unsafe to use or might cause excessive
and/or abnormal wear.
Do any other warranties apply to the product?
Vestil Manufacturing Corp. makes no other express warranties. All implied warranties are disclaimed to the extent
allowed by law. Any implied warranty not disclaimed is limited in scope to the terms of this Limited Warranty.