Wheel loaders are commonly equipped with fork and grapple attachments to move large wood utility poles and heavy pipe. However, this is just a secondary function of the machine, which is primarily used to handle dirt.

On the other hand, the Cary-Lift is a rough terrain forklift that is engineered specifically for dedicated applications like lifting and placing pipe or poles. Because the machine is purpose-built, it offers a number of design features that help accomplish loading tasks in a safer, more efficient manner.

When moving pipe through stockyards, drivers must navigate narrow aisleways — usually no more than 30 to 35 feet wide — and sometimes stack pipe as high as 12 feet. It’s a similar situation when handling wooden poles. Transporting either of these materials around a yard generally requires the machine to be driven while its load is lifted up in the air.

With a wheel loader, visibility is obstructed by lift arms that are located directly in front of the vehicle. By contrast, the Cary-Lift has no structural components obstructing the forward view, thanks to a unique overhead lift arm design where the arms are mounted behind the cab. This design provides a completely unobstructed forward view.

Stability is impacted by the operating conditions at a given location, along with the design of the machine itself. A wheel loader’s articulated steering is not conducive to carrying heavy loads and turning at the same time; in fact, it can lose up to 50 percent of its rated load capacity when going into a turn. Drivers often resort to multiple-point turns, moving forward and back as needed until the turn is complete.

Unfortunately, operators aren’t always aware that a loader’s physical dynamics change when turning. Failing to make proper adjustments to the speed, load or turning approach increases the chance of an accident. Many pipe yard workers are familiar with the sight of a loader tipped over on its side, a dangerous scenario not only to the operator, but also for bystanders.

Unlike forward reaching loaders with an articulating joint, the Cary-Lift’s solid steel frame allows it to take full loads into sharp turns without sacrificing any load capacity or stability. The Cary-Lift also has a short wheelbase to reduce its turning radius. Meanwhile, the machine’s lift arms have a wide stance to provide additional stability when carrying a load.

Working on a level drive aisle is one thing, but jobs in the field provide even more stability challenges. Traditional straight mast forklifts may suffice in some stockyards, but they aren’t capable of working on rough terrain. Using a 4-wheel drive machine like the Cary-Lift is a basic necessity when hauling or placing poles or pipe in these conditions.

Another Cary-Lift feature that enhances stability is hydraulic frame sway control, which essentially levels the vehicle and the lifting frame to a certain degree in either direction. This leveling action compensates for the irregularities of uneven terrain, helping to ensure operators are carrying a safe, stable load.

Overhead lifting cranes, like gantry cranes, are commonly used to remove pipe from gondola cars, but they require a worker to actually climb down inside and strap the pipe manually before it can be lifted out. This is an extremely hazardous situation – a strap could slip off the pipe, or other pipes may shift and roll, possibly causing a person to be trapped, or worse.

The Cary-Lift is an optimal solution for keeping people out of the gondola car. The machine’s overhead lift arms have the correct geometry to be able to tilt the forks down 90 degrees and scoop the pipe out. A car can be completely emptied by one operator without ever putting someone inside. On top of keeping people out of danger, this approach is also more efficient.

From oil and gas to utility construction to scrap yards, industries that rely on material handling equipment are highly cognizant of safety and put forth an exceptional effort to make jobsites safe. That said, the need for speed, efficiency and profits can sometimes overshadow safety concerns. Through our machine designs, Pettibone is doing its part to aid production companies by supplying equipment that fully delivers on productivity, while still ensuring that operational safety remains a priority.