The Usefulness of Forklifts in Construction

There are many pieces of equipment and machinery with important roles on a job site. But none of them are as unassuming, yet as important, as the forklift. Forklifts are one of the most convenient machines on a construction site! Forklifts take a huge amount of manual labor off of crewmembers shoulders, and help get jobs done safely, quickly, and efficiently.

At Redstone, we utilize forklifts almost daily. By having crew members be forklift certified, we help ensure the safety of our crew, while often being able to cut manual labor in half by utilizing the forklift in our daily duties.

Over 300 workers and craftsmen across multiple locations at Redstone utilize forklifts to deliver the highest quality site prep, concrete, and asphalt services. Forklifts are a part of a group of the best equipment and technology in the business that we use to supply our customers with the efficient, expert-level services they require! For more information about the services we offer at Redstone Construction Group, visit our services page!

The Benefits of Forklifts

Safety

Utilizing forklifts on job sites allows for the equipment to do the heavy lifting. The forklift will help prevent injury due to straining or dropping material, and can prevent a crew from tiring out due to lifting heavy material over and over again. 

Convenience

Since forklifts take much of the weight of heavy lifting off of the crew, a single crewmember can operate a forklift while other crew members take on other tasks. Since forklifts are operated by a driver, they can be driven to and from locations on a job site, which helps expedite work timelines! Since forklifts take much of the heavy lifting off of the crew, the team is less likely to tire, further expediting construction timelines.

Types of Material a Forklift Can Lift and Transport

Brick, wood, shingles, tile, and metal are all material that a forklift can lift and transport for you. Generally, it is easier for a forklift to lift and transport material if it is condensed and packaged onto wooden pallets.

Wooden pallets allow for the forklift to fit it’s “arms” under the material, making for a safe and stable transfer of material to and from locations on a construction site.

Join a fast-growing industry where hard work pays off

The Drawbacks to Forklifts on Construction Sites

Forklifts have very few  negative aspects to them. However, like most machinery, weather will hinder a forklift’s ability to work efficiently and safely. If you are operating a forklift outside, extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat and cold, snow, rain, and ice can make it challenging for the operator to maneuver and drive the forklift safely.

You can outfit a forklift with accessories to handle certain weather conditions, like cab enclosures, snowplows, and tire chains. The safety of your crew is of utmost importance on a job site. If weather conditions make it dangerous to operate equipment and machinery, we recommend that you delay tasks until it is safe to operate your equipment again.

At Redstone Construction Group, we have proudly served Arkansas since 1973. We offer high quality site preparation, underground utilities, earthwork, concrete, and asphalt services for those in commercial and industrial space. We’re specialists in our field with a deep understanding of how to lay the groundwork for a successful project.

For more information about Redstone Construction Group, or to get a quote on a project, visit our about and contact pages!