Forklifts. Have you ever wondered what the largest forklift in the world is or what forklift has lifted the heaviest weight? Often, to find answers to these questions, we consult the Guinness Book of Records. However, this time you will have to look elsewhere, starting from the history of the Guinness Book of Records.
Forklifts. The Guinness Book of Records: A Brief History
The Guinness Book of Records was first published in 1955. You may be wondering who created the Guinness Book of Records. This is Sir Hugh Beaver, the then CEO of the Guinness brewery. His curiosity pushed him to answer questions such as what the fastest wild bird in Europe was, but he was unable to find it despite much research. He then decided to compile a book that contained incredible facts, which then became known as the Guinness Book of Records.
Today, the Guinness Book of Records is one of the most popular books in the world. Since its first edition, it has recorded a wide range of records, ranging from the fastest bird to the most sausages produced in 1 minute. Despite this, when it comes to forklift records, the Guinness Book of Records falls short. For this reason, someone dedicated themselves to finding and recording some “unofficial records” relating to forklifts.
The Largest Forklift in the World
Finding the largest forklift in the world was not easy. Initially, marina lifts were considered. They resemble traditional forklifts, but are designed to lift boats. One example is the Wiggins Marina Bull, capable of lifting boats up to 75 feet into the air and weighing up to 10,000 pounds.
One of the largest marina owners in the United States has asked Wiggins Marina to build a giant forklift capable of:
- Transport 50-foot vessels weighing up to 20 tons.
- Lift 10,000-pound boats up to 75 feet.
- Safely place boats in five-level marina racks.
Furthermore, the marina manager wanted two of these huge forklifts. When these vehicles were completed, they became the largest marina forklifts in the world, surpassing the previous world record set by Wiggins Marina in 2013. But it is only a matter of time before it is surpassed by an even bigger model … technological advances are constantly evolving. 😃
The most powerful forklift in the world
As for the world’s most powerful forklift, human strength seems to pale in comparison. The most powerful forklift in the world is the Kalmar DCG720-10LB. It can lift up to 72 tonnes, even on an 34 % inclined slope.
The world’s second most powerful forklift weighs nearly 100 tons and can lift up to 65 tons, or 130,000 pounds, equivalent to the weight of about 45 medium-sized cars stacked on top of each other on forks. Imagine a forklift with such a load!
Other Interesting and…unusual Records on Forklifts
Forklift records aren’t just about power and size. For example, in September 2018, a Missouri team set a world record for longest forklift pallet pass with 126 consecutive passes. This result was achieved by six operators who demonstrated extraordinary skill and endurance.
Precision is often overlooked when talking about forklifts, but just remember the Guinness world record for the most cocktail glasses stacked with a forklift to understand how versatile a forklift can be…and skilled the operator who makes it seem incredibly easy to stack delicate cocktail glasses!!
Despite all these impressive forklift records, it’s important to remember that award-winning operators achieve these results thanks to a deep understanding of how forklifts work…and always with a strong focus on safety.
Tamarri S.R.L, sicurezza e controllo. 😉
elevatori…e sempre con una grande attenzione alla sicurezza.
Tamarri S.R.L, sicurezza e controllo. 😉