Any forklift drivers on here?

I've just done both my forklift tickets (LF) AND (LO). The place I did my licenses through also do a half day course for high reach and double deep high reach. These courses are spruiked as upskill courses.

Worth the couple a hundred bucks to add them to my resume or not? Note I have zero experience on forklifts other then my exams.

I doubt it. I've got LF but never done any courses for high reach and double deep high reach. I've done plenty of hours work in that zone and never dropped a pallet. Never even heard of those courses, just learned on the job.

Nice to have those tickets on your CV but, can you demonstrate experience and competence. Not trying to rain on your parade but don't put yourself in a position to look like a twat on the job site.

I've seen a lot of people come through the system with all the tickets and quals to run the company but on the day, they cannot demonstrate any of the skills required.

Use your current tickets to develop skills and experience then move toward the higher risk jobs. Also these training companies will sell you anything and make you feel fantastic because it makes them money.

Good luck buddy, take care and be safe

Use the forks to unweight the front wheels a little and they do awesome burnouts.

That's the limit of my knowledge.

Did your course cover the multi lift?

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Mastbender said..
Did your course cover the multi lift?

That looks downright dangerous! Not ONE person there is wearing high vis.

I drive forks LOTS at fruit & veg market... You can spot a newbie in a matter of seconds (the thing that is a No No is steering with the right hand).Just get you ticket and use it, the more you drive the better you will get.Don't worry about the extra tickets but just be open to getting them if you need to.

Having a fork ticket is a stepping stone to the lifting industry ..better off going for Tele handler ..you need HR truck .. riggers basic then move into frannas then slewer cranes ... I only have LF and drive up to 30 ton fork on Darwin LNG legally ..good luck

I might add ...they teach to drive with forks low & level when empty ..its actually safer to drive with mast tilted back and forks on angle ...if you hit a gutter etc there is more chance of riding over object ..rather than coming to a screaming holt with bent forks and whip lash ...easy done on site in the dark ...

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GreenPat said..
I doubt it. I've got LF but never done any courses for high reach and double deep high reach. I've done plenty of hours work in that zone and never dropped a pallet. Never even heard of those courses, just learned on the job.

This^

ive not ever heard of these courses. Sounds like they're just trying to make an extra buck by convincing people it's some sort of higher learning.

practice and experience is far more relevant to an employer I would think.

Been driving forks for years and did high reach when I first got my fork ticket. Agree with above, sounds like its extra when it should be included. Agree with Gizmo too, drive with left and use controls with right.
Also experience with walkie/straddle helps too.
Saw a guy lose 4 fingers doing stupid **** like using a rope to pull skids out of a truck and balancing on the tines with hand on mast. just be safe, seriously!!

Were I did my Apprenticeship somebody had the brilliant idea to clutch start the forklift behind the truck down the road.
fork tipped over bloke got stuck truck kept going ground his hip off on the road.
Crippled for life but fxck that must have hurt .
Being responsible and safe is more important than tickets.

Very informative thread. I always though forklifts were those little pillows you have on the back seat of the car.

The place I got my fork ticket from happened to be out the front of where I worked.

One day day they got the "apprentice" to drive one of the big ones off the truck. He lost track of where the front wheels were sitting on the tray of the truck (it only just fitted), and instead of stopping and having a look/getting someone to guide him, he decided to proceed whilst swinging the back wheels to and fro quite furiously.

It it was almost spectacularly bad, and quite exciting to watch.

Haha. Had a laugh at some of the comments on here..

Yeah, I have heard/read experience is a big one. But how does a beginner get experience if everyone is only looking for people with experience?

Looking forward to my first doughies. While wearing a high vis offcourse ;)

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eatyourgreens said..
But how does a beginner get experience if everyone is only looking for people with experience?
Looking forward to my first doughies. While wearing a high vis offcourse ;)

Just when I was about to offer you a job....

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eatyourgreens said..
Haha. Had a laugh at some of the comments on here..

Yeah, I have heard/read experience is a big one. But how does a beginner get experience if everyone is only looking for people with experience?

Looking forward to my first doughies. While wearing a high vis offcourse ;)

Knucklehead

Are you for real?

All these experienced people offer advice and you come out with a comment like that?

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Subsonic said..
The place I got my fork ticket from happened to be out the front of where I worked.

One day day they got the "apprentice" to drive one of the big ones off the truck. He lost track of where the front wheels were sitting on the tray of the truck (it only just fitted), and instead of stopping and having a look/getting someone to guide him, he decided to proceed whilst swinging the back wheels to and fro quite furiously.

It it was almost spectacularly bad, and quite exciting to watch.

I should've said lost track of his back wheels

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shoodbegood said..

eatyourgreens said..
Haha. Had a laugh at some of the comments on here..

Yeah, I have heard/read experience is a big one. But how does a beginner get experience if everyone is only looking for people with experience?

Looking forward to my first doughies. While wearing a high vis offcourse ;)

Knucklehead

Are you for real?

All these experienced people offer advice and you come out with a comment like that?

Knucklehead? Ouch..

Do I really need to break my comment down?

People post funny comments, even videos.. I laugh at funny videos/comments.

People suggest experience is key.. I agree. I ask how to gain experience when everyone is looking for experienced guys only.

Burnouts get mentioned.. I suggest in a joking manner Im looking forward to burn outs..

Green thumbs were given for comments.


My question to you sir is whats up your ass?

Sorry, bit harsh eh?

I guess what's up my arse is I see dickheads doing stupid **** that put other people in danger, don't be one of them.