Construction Machine Blog

Certified forklift drivers handle a variety of tasks, including stacking warehouse items and transporting products in shipping terminals. Many employers require that employees earn certification, which ensures they understand how to handle the equipment properly and how to maintain their forklift. But to become a certified forklift driver, you must complete the required education and receive certification from the organization that provided the training. Here’s a guide to becoming a certified forklift driver.

Check out apprenticeships with the International Union of Operating Engineers. If your application is approved to become a forklift driver, they will provide paid training, which may turn into full-time employment pending graduation of the apprenticeship.

Check out forklifting schools. Individuals interested in becoming certified forklift drivers can also enroll in a formal program. Golden Start Truck Driving (see Resources) offers a program that provides certification.

Check out the JobCorp (see Resources). They also provide certified forklift driver training programs. These programs are offered at a small cost; however, you must complete an application to apply. Find a facility in your area by calling 877-US-2Jobs.

Get certified with the Association for Operations Management. This organization offers a training program allowing graduates to become certified upon successful competition of the program.

Choose a program that covers how to maintain your forklift. Certified forklift drivers are expected to provide maintenance on their equipment. Choosing a program that concentrates heavily on this area will make you more marketable to potential employers.

A diaphragm valve, also called a membrane valve, is a specified valve which consists of a valve body with two or more ports, a diaphragm and a “saddle” or a seat to close the valve.

The invention of the diaphragm valve dates back to the ancient Roman and Greek times. It is originally carried out to control the water and temperature of the hot baths. At that moment, the crude leather diaphragm is a kind of primitive but effective control valves which was manually closed over a weir. But actually, the first modern valve was invented by Saunders, being named after Saunders in the early 1900s. It is developed with the implication of the idea of cutting the costly power losses due to faulty, leaking seats and stuffing boxes of the valves used to supply air and water in the underground mines. As times goes by, a variety of advanced plastic and elastomeric materials were used in the internal construction of the valve. Thus, it was becoming applicable for much more fields. Similarly, the new valves with high reliability and quality came into being and were accepted by more manufactures. During the process, some famous manufacturing companies have advanced with a moderate pace and are moving toward a bright future.

Nowadays, it is well know that the diaphragm valve is available for more fields for the advantages that it can be either manually or automated controlled by various types of actuators. It is originally used for non-hygienic applications for some limitations. And it has expanded its application for bio-pharmaceutical industry by using compliant materials that can withstand sanitizing and sterilizing methods. And generally speaking, the overall the diaphragm valve is classified into two main categories. The one seals over a “weir” and the other seals over a seat. The major different is that the previous kind has its two ports in line with each other on the opposite sides of the valve and the later one has the in/out ports located at a 90 degree angle from one another.

At last, taking a look at its proper materials is necessary. For the valve body, brass, steel and plastic is appreciated. And cast iron, ductile iron, carbon steel and stainless steel are common steel types. What else, for the body lining materials, it is generally determined by the temperature, pressure and chemical resistance. For example, the NR/Hard Rubber/Ebonite, BR/Soft rubber and EPDM are common rubber lined types.Furthermore, SI/Silicone rubber and such unlined or rubber lined type is proper to make the diaphragm.

A dump truck, also called a Mack truck is a commercial truck used for carrying materials used for construction. Dump trucks normally carry loose materials like sand, gravel or soil. There are many types of dump trucks but all of them have hydraulically operated containers that are used to “dump” their contents from behind. Most rental dump trucks, however, come with drivers, so most people don’t really worry about it. However, as easy as it may sound to just dump its load, you must have proper knowledge to operate this machine aside from driving it around.

1. Driving skills – First and foremost, to be able to drive a dump truck, you must have at least the basic driving skills. You must be aware of driver’s etiquette on the road and in parking, starting up the vehicle, aware of traffic regulations in the area that you are driving and of the speed limit. You must also know all the controls that your truck will have because it will vary per type of dump truck. Remember to keep the bed down before starting to drive the dump truck to avoid dangers on the road, on other people or yourself.
2. License – Like all vehicles, you must also have a license to drive a dump truck. Specifically, you must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This can be acquired through applying at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) who would process your acquiring of such a license. If you have not undergone any test for your license yet, prepare for necessary medical tests and other forms they may ask you to fill out.
3. Types – You must also be aware of the different types of trucks that are being used. Dump trucks have various types of equipment to support different types of loads. Larger dump trucks have the capacity to carry large amounts from place to place. These are often used as freightliner trucks to deliver various materials requested by clients. Articulated dump trucks are dump trucks which have a hinge between the cab and the dump bed. These permanent hinges are what differentiate articulated dump trucks from transfer dump trucks, whose dump boxes can be removed from the cab itself.
4. Equipment – You have to be aware of your truck equipment before you start driving. There are variations in the placing of the controls themselves. In most trucks, the handlebar that controls the hydraulics for the bed is found near the bed itself and not in the driver cab. Most other controls in the dump truck are what you find in normal trucks and other vehicles. There might be other switches or levers you have to be aware of, so make sure you acquaint yourself with them before starting to use a dump truck.
5. Education – The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools in the United States is a professional association of Heavy Equipment training schools. To be able to drive a dump truck, you need to be certified with a Class-A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). Associated Training Services, the oldest training school in the United States, offers 3-week short term courses in how to drive and operate a dump truck.

A person with a Class A CDL may get a job in one of the many construction companies. An operator normally gets $15 – 20 an hour. Class A certified drivers, however, can get as much as $30 per hour. Most jobs, however, also require the driver to be able to maintain the truck as well.