Guess I'm just a kid in the forklift tech department. Only got 27 years there. Was a truck and trailer mechanic before I got "smart" and changed to forklifts. Still not old timer with only 44 years total. Never worked at any other trade, just glad when they started calling us tech's not mech's, raised the pay level a little bit. Don't think I would enjoy anything else near as much. Never had a real title for my level of experience, was just told, you found it, you fix it. Worked with some great people who helped me out. Always been a road tech, got tired of the shop scene during truck years. Only worked for two brands, three dealers. Nissan first, Hyster, and Nissan again. Not the same Nissan dealer due to relocation to the Gulf Coast.
60 % of our tehcs are over 50

First forklift repair was 1967. Clutch job on yale in Navy. I must have liked it. Doing it ever since. Just don't know when to hang the wrenches up. 47 years really feels like eternity. Wish some younger folks would step in and help kick me out of the business.
25%+ of our company techs are over 60. Not a very bright outlook for retirement.
Lost count of Jesus clips. Must be a black hole in every White MA50. Many clips lost there.

"Hey Ed, I have one questions, in those 39 years, how many Jesus pins did you loose?"
John R, I think you mean "Jesus clips"?? Like a White MA50 used to install the accelerator pedal arm to the rod......Geez. That's some tough times?!!

fredjones, sorry i dont remember the name. Which department did you workat levertons ? regards Towmotor

Levvies

yes man transport cafe haydock ,who did you work for

I think we crossed paths in the new island cafe

fredjones, yes towmotor from ontario canada,coming up for a 41 year service,5 years for cat heavy equipment,before i saw the forks Lol

36yrs here
have worked for hyster, cat and yale
presently at hyster
yep... things have changed over the years
i suspect they will always be a changing
one thing i've learned over the years is stay adaptable and keep your customers first priority, it gives one a sense of achievement when they are always requesting you back for doing a good job for them.

kudo's to all the old timers... heheh

Day Elvis died first day at work as an apprentice , god trucks have changed. Every day learn a bit more wish I'd kept a diary

Day Elvis died first day at work as an apprentice , god trucks have changed. Every day learn a bit more wish I'd kept a diary

I did 35 years for forklift company previous to that I was getting called into industrial company's as a motor veh electrician to fix the odd lift truck before I decided to go full time.

Titus

Forty years this month. I'm convinced after all these years of twisting, turning and, standing on my head I could land a job in a circus as a contortionist.

I can remember doing service calls for Clark Clippers and my truck always had a supply of those disc waffers to fix carbon pile trucks.

Man, I feel like a baby at only 28 years!

38 years, told my son to do something other than forklifts.

Hey Ed, I have one questions, in those 39 years, how many Jesus pins did you loose?

I got 39 years, (was a Journeyman level tech in 1974) but I ain't all that convinced that it something to brag about...
almost kinda like I was too stubborn or much of a 'thick skull' to be a used car salesperson.

Sorry my fault ,longest serving technician for example tomotor from Canada.Personally 36 years on the job,just a baby!

So did I...
A bit more elaboration would be nice.
:o)