Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to modifying conventional forklift trucks to reduce or eliminate damage to pallets. A strike plate of sufficient width is secured to the upper and lower carriage rails of a forklift between the two forks of the forklift, positioned on the carriage rails such that the strike plate engages a structural member of the pallet. Damage from overtravel of the forks into the pallet is prevented because the protective strike plate will cause the whole pallet to move before the forks have the chance to rip up the first couple of deck boards on the top of the pallet. The strike plate is attached to forklifts having an upper carriage rail and a lower carriage rail. A permanently affixed latch is located near the top of the strike plate to engage the upper carriage bar, and a latch piece separable from the strike plate is provided to affix the bottom of the strike plate to the lower carriage rail.