Forklift – The Real Heavy Lifter
Before the Forklift
With the forklift being a piece of machinery that is out of site for most people, you hardly give a thought to what we did BEFORE it came on the scene. But the forklift has become an essential and critical part of our modern day business model. Prior to the creation and evolution of the forklift just around 100 years ago, brute force did a lot of the heavy lifting. Even then the typical load was not anywhere close to what these machines move today. Ramps and pulleys played a roll back then, too. So did moving smaller loads with more repetitive movements. In other words, most likely a very strong man walked or rolled something up and down a ramp over and over and over again until the job was done.
Today's Forklift
But my how the forklift has changed and evolved. Today, there are many different kinds of lifts that you can find a forklift for almost any kind of job. Most companies of any large size use distribution centers. It's in the material handling in the warehouse that you see a forklift do its magic. Some can extend to extreme heights to remove a pallet loaded with some sort of material or product. Then at high speed the forklift can haul that product and drive it directly onto a truck for shipping.
What looks like a simple (and fun) driving machine, the forklift is actually a bit more involved that most people first think. Each forklift is rated for how heavy a load it can carry along with the most forward center of gravity. Outside those parameters, the forklift can tip over. The thinking that the forklift operator has to be mindful of is that the load and the forklift itself are actually one whole. To lift heavier loads higher, you can get a forklift that employs counterbalance principals. They use a weight on the opposite side of the load to counter the weight of the load itself.
Forklift Operation
Not just everyone can operate a forklift. This is a potentially dangerous and powerful machine. You don't just walk in off the street and jump on and go. In the USA operators are required to obtain a forklift license. Additionally OSHA certification on that particular forklift at a specific location is also required. Some companies will hire inexperienced forklift operators and train them. However, with the job market the way it is right now, companies are finding it easier to find and hire experienced forklift people.
If you are interested in learning to operate (note I didn't just say drive) a forklift, search online for training in your area. Many larger cities will have places that will train for a license and then safety certification.
Top 10 Forklift Accidents !
You can read more about this at Wikipedia when you click on FORKLIFT.