Discussion:
Who is smarter a Forklift Mechanic or a Doctor?

An ol timer asked me this today and has had me thinkin all freakin day.

Forklift Mechanic- Many brands to work on, many makes and models within those brands to diagnose and repair. Along with all those brands think about all the different controll systems to diagnose and repair and do it accurately/effectively the first time. If we screw up, oh well, we work on it again until its right. If someone dedicates thier time and effort over 10 years of being a professional mechanic those individuals are not dumb people and are well educated within the industry.

Doctor- 1 model (human), two makes (male and female), electrical control system pretty much the same between the two and occationally some people got a few wires crossed. Even the plumbing internally is basically the same and if the first doctor cant figure it out thet send you to a specialist. If the doctor screws up four days later someone is having thier grave looked upon but others.

Just food for thought, hope this makes some of you laugh and feel free to leave a comment.
  • Posted 22 Jul 2011 08:04
  • By BenH
  • joined 17 Aug'09 - 27 messages
  • California, United States
Showing items 1 - 11 of 11 results.
one thing tech's and doc's have in common is this philosophy

'if you can't dazzle em with brilliance, then baffle them with bullsh*t'

works in both fields of service just one gets way overpaid for it! :oD
  • Posted 24 Apr 2015 21:54
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
We all have to agree on one fact. The biggest and most common problem that doctors and mechanics deal with are humans.

The machines are exactly what they are. Humans are the problem.
  • Posted 24 Apr 2015 04:47
  • By LaGrange
  • joined 15 Sep'13 - 301 messages
  • Missouri, United States
Let's see- Doctors- clean & warm working enviroment- chosen by what there specialty is, not by what they cost, free lunches & trips given by there vendors (drug companies).etc... Forklift mechanics- cold & dirty working enviroment, always hears about their cost , not a d**** thing for free. At least our patients don't talk back to us!
  • Posted 3 Mar 2012 08:44
  • By bbforks
  • joined 1 Mar'12 - 1,437 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
bbforks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
Customers love technology- until they have to pay to fix it!
birdman, that shows you are not doing "it" the right way (whatever 'it' is)
you are supposed to make 'it' look so easy that anyone could do it...
  • Posted 2 Mar 2012 21:45
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"
HA! Trick question my Friends!
It's like this: No one who is smart wants to become a Doctor because you are not really allowed to diagnois & treat---only to do what the insurance companies say they will pay for...
Take a look around you. At least in my neck of the woods there are no "younger folks" who are willing to get into this crazy forklift industry, it looks like all hard work and little reward.
  • Posted 2 Mar 2012 07:24
  • By TheBirdman
  • joined 20 May'11 - 47 messages
  • Oklahoma, United States
But, Doc, it your fault,,,
since you were one of those doing 'it' and driving the bus at the time the changes happened.
I also think we can honestly blame you for globalization, since you spent your life making it easier and cheaper to move large quantities of goods long distances at less expense.
  • Posted 26 Feb 2012 00:59
  • Modified 26 Feb 2012 06:23 by poster
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"
Who says a Lift truck mechanic, technician or ( Doctor) does not work fast?
The Doc is old and can still make rate at 125 %.
I can furnish testimonials if you desire.
Presumptions always lead to assumptions.
Possibly our new interns (not Doctors) do not work fast.
Possibly because they are on the Cell, Texting, looking for the next Taco stand, brothel or whatever one does when they are not applying themselves to their responsibilities and duties.
I do wish back in the day we had all of these communication services available.
Back then, in the old days, We were sent out to perform a task with little or no information and expected to complete the job, no email, no text, no Cell call to the office or Factory, it took a dime to call in and you better hope you got that dime back and we called in often.
We had to know what we were doing, if not we were required to study to learn, that is called reading or research possibly study, and it was on our own time. If we wished to advance beyond a garage man in the system.
I guess today the lift truck repair people are too busy to work to make a living!
What with Text, Cell and Bluetooth, Email, mobile video, etc.
Who has time to work? Did I miss anything?
But alas the days of old are long gone.
Privileges are now Entitlements.
Buck it up Interns, you have no Idea!
Iitch Gitch whine and cry, Tracking software, Time Studies, Efficiency and rating oh and GPS! OMG they know where I am!
These are not new technological developments , no not at all.
Just be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing. You will have no problems, I guarantee it!
Oh and remember that you are not non replaceable, the dealership will not fold if you have a tantrum or hold your breath and quit and go across the street to the competitor.
Oh and remember the customer called in to resolve a problem ,
Oh but I was born 20 years later.
Live Large and In Charge.
The Doc still lives and air is still free!
Doc
Regards,
  • Posted 23 Feb 2012 19:19
  • By Drlifttruck
  • joined 20 Nov'05 - 105 messages
  • Texas, United States
Lift Trucks all the same, just painted different colors.
Doc
Email: kulsh@forkliftservice.net
Obviously the mechanic, the mechanic is paid by the hour, There is no incentive to work fast, the doctor can't always spend time with the patient. One key difference for me is that doctors are responsible for care at all hours of the day and night. If your doctor doesn't see you when you need him/her you can die and bad things can happen. If your mechanic doesn't see you, perhaps something bad can/will happen, but you can always get another mechanic or if you get in trouble another forklift will be RENTED to you.
  • Posted 19 Feb 2012 16:37
  • Modified 19 Feb 2012 16:39 by poster
  • By TheDuke
  • joined 17 Jan'12 - 8 messages
  • Oklahoma, United States
The real difference between the forklift mechanic and the doctor comes down to this, the doctor buries his fatal errors, the forklift mechanic has to live with his.
  • Posted 19 Feb 2012 11:03
  • By meliftman
  • joined 31 Jan'12 - 209 messages
  • Alabama, United States
Liftman
Retired
Elberta, Al.
Yeah, but a doctor does it while the engine is still running, give that a try.
  • Posted 9 Jan 2012 12:01
  • By dan_l
  • joined 9 Jan'12 - 2 messages
  • Kansas, United States
Ben, do you the old joke about what is the differences between a doctor and a forklift mechanic?
.
.
.
.
.
.
the doctor washes his hands AFTER he goes to the bathroom
and
the forklift mechanic washes his hands BEFORE he goes to the bathroom
  • Posted 22 Jul 2011 20:20
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Toyota 8FD35U
Flesherton, Ontario, Canada
Used - Sale
Elwell-Parker ESI500-36
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
Used - Sale & Hire
Global Industry News
edition #1244 - 21 August 2025
In our feel good story for the week, we report on a donation from Wisconsin-headquartered Big Joe Forklifts to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering, after discovering the institution was still using one of its 1960s walkie stackers... Continue reading
Movers & Shakers
Jan Zuurbier Jan Zuurbier
Global CEO, Swisslog
Board member, UKMHA
Strategic advisor, Roboteon
CEO Americas, Hai Robotics
Global Industry News
edition #1244 - 21 August 2025
In our feel good story for the week, we report on a donation from Wisconsin-headquartered Big Joe Forklifts to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering, after discovering the institution was still using one of its 1960s walkie stackers... Continue reading
Toyota 8FD35U
Flesherton, Ontario, Canada
Used - Sale
Elwell-Parker ESI500-36
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
Used - Sale & Hire
Fact of the week
Portugal was the first country to implement a nationwide, automatic electronic toll collection system. This system allows vehicles to pass through toll booths without stopping, significantly improving traffic flow on highways.
Bobcat appoints new UK dealer Liverpool, United Kingdom
Fact of the week
Portugal was the first country to implement a nationwide, automatic electronic toll collection system. This system allows vehicles to pass through toll booths without stopping, significantly improving traffic flow on highways.