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Believe it or not, forklifts can actually be used in other settings, as well as throughout a warehouse. A forklift is a diverse piece of equipment with a number of different capabilities, making it perfect for an array of different applications, both practical and not-so-practical, and we’re on hand to tell you what those uses are.
From competitions to the railroad, you’ll be surprised what people manage to use forklifts for, whether it be for fun or for battle. With a range of fork lengths and lift heights, it’s no wonder that they have been used for more than just transporting goods around a warehouse for the past 70 years.
For those who are unaware, a rodeo traditionally involves cattle herders and cowboys. Originating from Spain and Mexico, rodeo is a highly-competitive sport in those regions and it’s taken extremely seriously by its participants.
It started out with the use of cattle and then evolved to include horses and other livestock. It became a platform for cowboys to test their skills and the speed in which those talents could be shown off. Although the original game continues to be played the traditional way, with horses, a rodeo variant emerged that was somewhat different to the others.
The forklift rodeo was born and is played in the United States. Much like how cowboys were set tasks and challenges to showcase their impressive skills, the forklift rodeo operates in much the same way, although no animals are used in this version.
Forklift drivers will perform tricks and be set specific tasks in order to demonstrate their forklift operating skills to a number of judges. Some of the challenges that are set include: bowling, basketball, obstacle courses and more.
They continue to be played and enjoyed by many due to an increasing number of sponsorship deals from popular forklift companies. If you manage to win the rodeo, you’ll be rewarded with your very own forklift.
Although forklifts are largely used for completely legitimate reasons, there have been some instances where a forklift has been used to commit crime – like stealing ATM machines. In 2014, a forklift was used in the United States to lift an ATM machine out of the wall. Although the culprits were never found, they traced the forklift back to the construction site where it had been stolen from.
Since then, similar crimes involving the illegal use of a forklift have been on the rise, with police finding it difficult to prevent the crime. The most common, illegitimate use for a forklift is to take ATM machines out from the side of shops and banks in a bid to retrieve large amounts of cash. The arrest rates are also low as gloves are often worn to prevent leaving fingerprints at the scene of the crime. However, the police will likely reunite the forklift owner with their machine, unless it’s been damaged beyond repair, in which case, it’ll simply be scrapped.
Forklifts aren’t as modern as we might have thought, as the first known invention of a forklift was recorded over 100 years ago in the United States. Although they were invented in the 1920s, they weren’t widely used until the Second World War broke out, as businesses needed to meet a rapidly growing demand for weapons, food and material.
As the demand grew, so did the pressure on a number of workforces across a variety of industries, and so efficiency and productivity needed to be massively improved so as not to fall behind with production, distribution and transportation. Having acknowledged the fact that they didn’t have enough workers to transport goods on foot, an extensive fleet of forklifts were brought in to speed up the overall process.
One business in particular went from using 500 forklifts in 1939 to acquiring 23,000 by the time the war ended, equating to a 459% increase in machinery. Having recognised the vital role that material handling equipment was playing in the war, the American War Production Board granted impressive funds to the US military in order to buy and use more forklifts to help with the war effort.
Forklifts are able to benefit a number of businesses across an abundance of industries and sectors. If you’re looking to improve efficiency and productivity to help transport and distribute goods quickly and effectively, then a forklift truck may be just what you need.
There’s a wide variety to choose from – you can choose from a number of different forklifts depending on your needs, goals and budget. Electric and LP Gas forklifts are perfect for indoor and outdoor use, whereas a diesel alternative is ideal for use outdoors. There are even three-wheeled forklifts available for easy maneuverability if your aisles are particularly narrow.
Impressive loading and lifting capacities – forklifts are able to lift and carry a serious amount of weight. Whether you have large, bulky goods that need transporting or have copious amounts of stock that needs moving, a forklift is the right machine for you.
Straightforward to maintain – maintenance is essential to ensure the long life of your forklift, which is relatively easy to keep on top of with a standard forklift. Running costs are also low, especially with the electric alternative. They’re safe to operate with the right training – once a prospective operator has been adequately trained, a forklift is a safe, solid machine to operate in and around any warehouse. With high-visibility and easy maneuverability, even workers on the warehouse floor will be safe while the forklift is in operation.
Charnwood Lift Trucks have a number of different forklift types available for purchase or hire. No matter what your budget is, you can rest assured that we’ll have an option that’s right for you and your business. Whether you’re looking for the luxury of a brand new machine or would prefer the reliability of a robust, used alternative, we’ll have a solution that’ll effortlessly meet your needs.
We’re able to offer an abundance of new and used forklifts, all made by some of the most renowned manufacturers in the material handling industry, including:
Whether you’re looking to rent a forklift or buy a machine, our team of knowledgeable experts will be able to talk you through your options, enabling us to meet both your needs and your budget.
As well as CombiLift and Aisle-Master, we’re also able to provide high-quality equipment made to exceptional standards by some of the best material handling brands on the market, including:
For more information about the forklifts we’re able to provide, or to enquire about the other pieces of warehouse equipment we have available, including reach trucks, pallet trucks and more, get in touch with a member of our friendly, specialist team today – we’re always happy to help.
Charnwood Lift Truck Services are one of the leading Mitsubishi Forklift dealers operating in the Midlands.
If you have any questions about our products and services please contact us.
