June 2009
Forklift Repair
I work in construction, and on my latest job I drive a rough terrain forklift. My most common task is to lift pallets full of tools and material to the second and third floors of the project. On occasion, however, I am called upon to lift pipe (in twenty-one foot sections). The width of a load of pipe makes it necessary to spread the forks out to their widest setting, which entails moving them past a supporting member by sliding them.
Apparently the crossbar (which supports the forks and load) on the forklift I drive is bent just enough to completely stop you from doing this. The first time I was asked to lift pipe I was going through the motions when my activities came to a screeching halt by all of this. I thought for a moment about all the tools I have in my truck (parked outside of the job, literally a mile away). I stopped wishing for a miracle and remembered my Surge (parked on my belt). I got it out and opened it up. I was happy to see that the pliers were just narrow enough to stick into the opening between the supporting member and the crossbar about a half inch. I pushed and pulled but I couldn't get it budged. So in a moment crossed with desperation and faith in 420HC steel, I stepped back, put my heel on the tool- at this point I felt terrible because I really do care for my tools - and pushed with all I had. An eight foot long, two inch solid forklift crossbar gave way to a four and a half inch long multi-tool. Pardon me, coming through.
Christopher N.
Sparks, NV
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.