Forklift News - Forklift simulator showcases at museum

Jim Brindley receiving the Safetruck simulator from Emily Gregory, Mentor's marketing manager, in an official ceremony last month.

The Safetruck simulator has joined other forklift displays at the National Fork Truck Heritage Centre (NFTHC) based at the Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire.

The forklift museum’s founder, Jim Brindley, contacted UK nationwide forklift operator training provider Mentor Training Ltd to request the donation of its Safetruck simulator that it had used extensively and hired out to other companies.

Brindley tells Forkliftaction.com News he was inspired to approach Mentor for the interactive training tool because it is a piece of "hands-on forklift technology that could be safely handled" by the public without prior knowledge.

He says Mentor was happy to donate the simulator as it has been technologically superseded and is redundant.

"For the older trucks, the simulator may do quite well, but due to modern cab layouts and controls, it is outdated. An example is reach trucks where electric switches are now used for the operating hydraulic functions in preference to levers," Brindley explains.

Safetruck was manufactured by a Spanish company and adapted by Mentor for forklift training. Mentor launched the tool in the UK in 2004, calling it Britain’s first virtual reality training simulator for forklifts. It won the 2003 British Safety Industry Federation "Innovation Award" at the Health and Safety Exhibition.

The Safetruck uses virtual reality computer technology to mimic a counterbalance forklift’s cab and provides a range of realistic training routines that include a variety of operating exercises. Real-life loading and unloading, transportation and safe and unsafe situations are simulated. A monitor shows the truck from three different angles in virtual reality, giving the operator a full view of the operation.

"It’s another valuable piece of history saved for the future. It will also give our visitors an insight into the safety and technical standards needed by the forklift operators of today," Brindley says.

NFTHC has a unique collection of restored forklifts with names like Coventry Climax, Drewry and Steinbock, including a 1926 Yale forklift believed to be the world’s oldest "surviving" forklift.

Mentor Training is a leading UK provider of operator training for materials handling, workplace transport and plant equipment. Over 165 training professionals and support staff provide nationwide support for courses for forklifts, cranes, access platforms and heavy plant equipment.

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