Green forklifts use human power
We have brought you news of cars made from electric forklifts and hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts... and now we would like to present: human-powered forklifts! Yep, that's right, these forklifts were designed to use simple gearing to increase the capabilities of the human body in order to lift and move objects around a warehouse or the like. This certainly beats humming the mantra "lift with your legs, not with your back" and carrying heavy packages around with nothing more than a pair of work gloves and work boots.
The designs pictured above are not really capable of doing really heavy lifting. But, the concept is sound. Just think of what kind of power built the pyramids and ancient cities. That's right: good old human labor (maybe not with slave labor?). That underscores what we are capable of with our limited bodies, even before modern science steps in. If you wanted to, you could gear create a design geared down to the point that a human powered forklift could compete with electric and fossil-fueled versions... but it would be a slow process.
[Source: Treehugger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Galley 8:27AM (6/26/2007)
If you tried to lift something more than 200 pounds you would probably tip over since there's no counterweight.
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Tim 9:34AM (6/26/2007)
This is a joke, right?
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TIMMAH! 5:31PM (6/26/2007)
How the heck do you use the one sitting down? Do you have to scoot on it like a 3 year old on a trike without pedals?
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JamesWB 9:26AM (6/27/2007)
They can only lift 30kg. Total waste of money.
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