heavy machinery and crane operation inquiry

Yeah I just went to a forklift class that lasted about 8 hours. I should be getting my ID card proving that I went to an OSHA approved class and trainer. It cost me about $100. Not bad. I could use this for my resume. What I learned from the class is that to drive a forklift back in the day only required a 20 minute video and then you're good to go. LOL. I liked the fact that I took this class and got on a forklift and got the feel of it. They come in different classes. They all feel awkward. I would have to get used to them. Anyway, the Deere (John Deere) company offers classes to operate an excavator machine. I think it's a 2 day course that cost $1500. I would have to travel to Arizona I think. I think the companies that manufacturer the equipment are the best and possibly the cheapest to learn and take a class on regarding the equipment they make.

 

Out of curiosity, how many "classes" of heavy machinery are out there? I could think of 3 so far:

- Forklift
- Excavator
- Cranes

Did I miss anything else? I drove by a construction site and saw a Fundex 3500. Not sure what it was for but it looks like it's for drilling through the ground. I guess that would belong to the "excavator" category. First time ever I have seen those.

 

blame OSHA. Usually they act on something if something bad had happened (i.e. an accident causing fatalities). In the class for forklift operation, we watched some videos of forklift truck accidents. Always wear a seat belt, don't jump out of the forklift truck when it feels like it's about to flip, etc. Human instinct makes you want to jump out of an overturning/flipping forklift (it's high, it looks slow but heavy it could crush you) so stay inside the truck, buckled up. It has caused some serious maiming and beheading. I didn't even know this was possible because forklift trucks look easy enough to drive like a toy and lift stuff up so people take it lightly when these forklift trucks are heavier than my 2001 Toyota Celica. I think forklift trucks weigh about 5000 pounds depending on size and brand, etc. and it's not meant to lift more weight than its own weight (don't lift more than 5000 pounds if the forklift truck is 5000 pounds). Some things I learned. People don't wear seat belts because forklift trucks are slow, it feels slow and heavy. I don't know why forklift manufacturers never made an enclosed forklift truck with airbags. LOL. It does have an overhead protection, but not on the left and right side of the driver. It makes you want to jump out with a no door vehicle, you know? They should barricade it with metal doors to prevent anyone from jumping out instinctively.

 

Does the Fundex 3500 belong to the mammoth category? It's used for making holes for plumbing pipes or what?