Random question about forklifts.

[pinback]

Hey, can someone settle a bet for me here? I know your standard industrial forklift generally lasts about 15-20 years, but my theory is that if they are used in the manufacture of hot sauce, that their "shelf-life", if you will, would be notably less, given the fumes and vapors that the vinegar/chile based sauces might expose to the equipment.

If anyone has any info about this, I'd appreciate it.

[Jizaboz]

So far all I see is a Reddit comment claiming it here:

Search for "forklift".

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

Good eye, Pinner - when I worked at the tobasco factory, our forklifts lasted about 14 months. The average was brought down a bit by how many times guys tried to operate them with sauce in their eyes, but if you scrub that data it still ain't great.

[AArdvark]

Q: Does the manufacturer of forklifts matter when it comes to Tabasco fumes? As someone who makes forklift parts for a living, I think cheap shoddy forklifts would corrode faster then high-end forklifts. I'll hang up and listen now.

THE
1-800
AARDVARK

[Casual Observer]

According to Toyota's forklift page, these are the factors they say cause premature aging:
Cold temperatures
Lifting heaving stacks
Used for multiple shifts / day
Whether the forklift was well-maintained

Hot sauce not mentioned.

[Billy Mays]

Well yes, naturally a forklift's service life would be dramatically cut short if used in the manufacture of hot sauce since that is not one of its intended functions. Just using the forklift to move hot sauce around won't hurt it though.

[Tdarcos]

Just using the forklift to move hot sauce around won't hurt it though.

Moving around barrels of concentrated hot sauce that leak fumes. Let's not make this a 'Bob Hope joke about American hostages' issue.

If someone here thinks the forklift story -(that their forklifts used to store and age concentrate wear out 5 times as fast, 3 years over 15) is bogus, why don't you call the McIlhenny Company at 1-800-634-9599 and ask. (This is the number off their website.)

[pinback]

I'm just worried the FTC might come down on me if I pulled a stunt like that.

[Billy Mays]

Moving around barrels of concentrated hot sauce that leak fumes.

I am confident that that has never happened.

[Flack]

I just texted a friend of mine who works in a warehouse where forklifts are used to move food to get his opinion. (Disclaimer: not hot sauce; fish.) He said at his warehouse, the concern isn't about fumes getting into the forklift, but pieces of the forklift (specifically rust flakes and oil) getting into the fish. He said on his forklifts, all exposed parts (like joints and chains and stuff) are covered. They are also covered to prevent parts from constantly being rained on.

I googled "rust proof forklift" and found the following blog post that includes some of those same guards. So while this does not directly address hot sauce fumes, I suspect these same parts would keep harmful fumes out as well as keeping other stuff in. Link: http://www.aalhysterforklifts.com.au/in ... _solutions

Source: guy who moves fish with a forklift in Seattle.