(Frequently asked questions)

1. How does Protect-it MAXI™ work?

Protect-it MAXI™ combines clever design, Computer Aided Engineering and advanced thermoplastic materials to deliver a product that can absorb large impacts. Each product has an outer wall that is integrally moulded to a series of curved “spring like” energy absorbers at the front and sides to provide two levels of protection for columns.

• Under light to moderate impacts the outer wall deforms to resist the impact before returning to its original shape.

• Under higher impacts the outer wall deflects even more, contacting the energy absorbers and delivering increased impact absorption.

This staged response makes the product flexible enough to accommodate everyday knocks and bumps yet robust enough to withstand substantial forklift impacts.

2. What performance testing has been done?

The impact absorption technology used on Protect-it MAXI™ has been proven on other Protect-it™ products over many years throughout Europe, South Africa, Asia, Australia and Nth America.

We conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis on Protect-it MAXI™ during the product development process to replicate real life impact performance and assess the performance limits.

In summary;

With Protect-it MAXI™ installed on a 100UC_15 (4") column no column damage evident after a 2.7 ton forklift impact at 2 KPH (1.24 MPH)*.

With Protect-it MAXI™ installed on a 200UC_59 (8") no column damage evident after a 2.7 ton forklift impact at 6 KPH (3.73 MPH)*.

Without Protect-it MAXI™ installed, there would be permanent column damage. 

*Refer to the literature section of this website for a full technical report and real life test videos.

3. Is Protect-it MAXI™ cost effective? 

Protect-it MAXI™ is the most cost effective structural column protector in the world. This is because there are actually three costs to consider when purchasing a column protector:

• Initial purchase cost- Protect-it MAXI™ is one of lowest priced structural column protectors in the world.

• Installation cost- Installation takes minutes with no additional fasteners, so labour cost is negligible.

• Replacement cost is a fraction of our competitors. Impact damage typically occurs in a small area only. Protect-it MAXI™ is designed so that units can be placed individually and far more cost effectively than large two piece products offered by competitors.

4. When should I replace Protect-it MAXI™ ? 

The frequency of replacement will depend on your forklift drivers – always encourage them to drive responsibly!

All impact protection devices must deform in order to absorb impact energy. For light to medium impacts Protect-it MAXI™ returns to its original shape. In more serious impacts Protect-it MAXI™ (as with all well designed protection devices, plastic or metal) may deform irreversibly or even fracture to protect the column. When this happens, they should be replaced immediately.

5. Is plastic strong enough?

Yes! We use a special grade of HDPE combined with special additives to make it super tough. Our products have established a reputation throughout the world for impact strength in a wide range of extreme environments from Arctic winters to Australian summers. To maintain optimum impact performance, we recommend our products for indoor applications only.

6. How does Protect-it MAXI™ compare to other plastic guards? 

Most plastic competitor products are made from LDPE using the rotational moulding process. This material becomes brittle in below zero temperatures. Protect-it MAXI™ is injection moulded allowing us to use much tougher HDPE plastic materials with special additives and capable of performing in temperatures as low as -40’C.

7. What about safety inspections?

We recommend regular inspections and immediate replacement if permanent deformation or breakage is observed after an impact.

Removal of a single connection pin enables Protect-it MAXI™ to be removed from the column, allowing safety inspectors to conduct fast and effective visual inspections. Once this is done Protect-it MAXI™ can be re-installed in seconds by reversing the procedure. We advise that you check the safety standards in your region. 

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