Being a certified heavy duty fork lift driver is surprisingly tough. Many times, these operators are tasked with loading and unloading up to 36,000 lbs at a time. And with extremely expensive cargo – including hyper expensive import cars – we all want to know the skills that go into getting that cargo from point A to B.
It’s good to know that with the developing technology of hydraulic steering and controls, manufacturers such as Cat and Komatsu continue to produce heavy duty fork lift trucks that can get the job done and still be agile and light in handling. Here we get to see a fork lift truck driver pick a coin up off the ground with a huge fork tine. If he can do it – it’s worth looking at what’s under the hood.
It may seem like that one fork lift driver had an easy time with the coin trick, but there is a surprising amount of time that companies dedicate to getting their fork lift truck drivers up to snuff. And the reason is simple: the better the operator and equipment, the fewer accidents.
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Fork lifts are a precipitously dangerous vehicle to operate because they require an intimate understanding of inertia, weight distribution, and maneuvering in order to be successf
Fork lifts are a precipitously dangerous vehicle to operate because they require an intimate understanding of inertia, weight distribution, and maneuvering in order to be successful. That’s why they have forklift rodeos and competitions – where companies put up their best forklift drivers to show off their skills. This is an important thing for companies looking to not only test the skills of their drivers but also train on the newest equipment. Many of these competitions also serve as unofficial trade shows – showcasing the latest from the likes of Nissan, Cat, Komatsu and other fork lift truck manufacturers.
Once their skills are tested and passed at competitions, it’s funny to see how they use their newfound techniques – sometimes in less than ideal ways. But it’s worth noting that for every fork lift truck driver with a streak of mischief, there’s a thousand who go out of their way every day to ensure that the distribution chain of cargo and logistics keeps moving.
Caterpillar is a well known, trusted brand in heavy duty machinery. That’s why their fork lift trucks have continually been pushed past their limits in a number of ways. With the advent of their 22,000 lb+ diesel pneumatic fork lift truck, Caterpillar really took it to a whole new level. It features a twin turbo charged diesel engine alongside agile hydrostatic steering for better control. Narrow mast channels offer a great window of vision and its low profile counterweight system keeps that cargo distributed evenly. All their high capacity fork lift trucks have a 174 hp at 2,200 rpm engine and a maximum travel speed of around 20 mph. That’s perfect for shipping docks where cargo loaders need to move with precision and care.
Komatsu Produces the Most Versatile Fork Lift Truck Yet
Komatsu’s EX50 isn’t anywhere near a typical fork lift truck. Designed for better fuel efficiency and productivity, it features an intricate disc brake system and hydraulic lift channels which give ultimate control to the operator. And with a 36,000 lb maximum capacity, Komatsu stands toe-to-toe with Cat in the heavy duty fork lift manufacturing category. Its FD160ET-8 model can lift at 65 feet per minute and lowers at a brisk 79 fpm. The only drawback is the max drawbar pull, loaded, is 21,170 lbs versus the Cat line which offers slightly more. But with a gradability of 22%, it can make its way up some surprisingly steep slopes and still keep its cargo intact. One of the reasons why Komatsu has been pulling ahead in the fork lift truck category has to do with its engines. Komatsu builds their own. And the Komatsu SAA6D107E-1 has a very respectable 164 hp in its twin turbo charged diesel engine. This really translates to its max torque – which is rated at conservatively 575 lb-ft.
When seaports and cargo facilities need heavy duty shipping containers moved with careful ease, they call upon Toyota’s 33,000 – 51,000 lb Large Capacity Pneumatic Tire fork lift truck. It’s an internal combustion diesel engine that’s turbo charged to get the job done. Featuring a Hino 7.68 liter 6 cylinder J08E-UM diesel engine, it’s able to push up to 168 hp at 2,300 hp. With a max lift speed of 59.1 fpm for the 51,000 lb behemoth and a whopping 80.7 fpm for the 33,000 lb lift truck, it’s no wonder that Toyota has made such a name for themselves in this industry. One of the best features, however, is the Operator Presence Sensing System (OPSS). It’s designed to let the operator know what’s in front of the load. This helps prevent a lot of workplace accidents and ensure that the cargo reaches its destination safely.
