Bobcat Leads the Way with Safety

In recent years, a great deal has been done to successfully reduce the number of injuries associated with forklift truck activities, both within the warehouse and in the yard. While a major influence on these improving figures may be attributed to more rigorous driver training and better adherence to working practices, a significant factor is also the considerable effort made by forklift truck manufacturers to engineer safety into their products.

At Bobcat, the wellbeing of the driver and the safety of those sharing the same workspace are primary focuses for the company's design engineers. Their efforts and technical skills have resulted in several industry-leading safety developments in recent years — innovations that have earned Bobcat plaudits from the industry, including winning the Fork Lift Truck Association's Award for Safety Excellence over three consecutive years.

Bobcat’s material handling division — an important part of the global Doosan Group, a conglomerate with a 120-year history — has the extensive resources necessary to dedicate to the pursuit of excellence in product design, performance, ergonomics, energy, and, above all else, safety. This has been successfully translated into practical design innovations across Bobcat's range of over 100 models of counterbalance, reach, and warehouse trucks, with capacities spanning 1.3–25 tons and power sources including electric, gas, and diesel.

Good ergonomics not only improve operational performance but also play an important part in a driver's health and wellbeing. Back strain and muscular injuries account for a considerable number of sick days each year, but well-thought-out ergonomic design can help reduce personal injury and lost days.

Standard Bobcat forklift safety features include: excellent visibility through the mast and overhead guard; a low dashboard for a clear sight of the fork heels; a low and wide non-slip step with a clear floor plate and grab handle for safe cab access; a vertical exhaust; lower noise and vibration; and completely enclosed, oil-cooled disc brakes for more reliable braking in dusty and wet environments.

This advanced feature ensures that if an operator dismounts the truck without applying the handbrake fully, the machine will not roll away, even if the machine is left on a slope or ramp.

Every Bobcat forklift is fitted with Bobcat's in-cab Operator Safety System (OSS). The trucks are immobilized until a sensor in the seat detects the driver's weight and the seatbelt is fully secured, and white-noise reversing bleepers are also fitted for pedestrian safety.

"All the trucks have hydraulic accumulators fitted to reduce bumps and improve stability, making them perfect for the job of handling our products safely and with care", says Lee Allen, Works Manager. "The trucks are used seven days a week, and we required reliable machines that could handle high-intensity work. The Bobcat trucks have proven to be excellent".

Besides the mechanical aspects of personnel safety, diesel emissions are another important consideration when creating a healthy and safe working environment. The pursuit of cleaner, greener fuels has led Bobcat's engine partner, Doosan Infracore, to develop a world-leading solution.

Bobcat manufactures around 100,000 units each year that require a diesel engine. After extensive research and development, the company has designed the G2 range of eco-friendly, highly efficient, and compact diesel engines, which comply with Stage V emission levels without the need for a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). 

The G2 compact diesel engine range provides impressive power, high low-end torque, proven durability, and the lowest total cost of ownership of any diesel forklift engine.

Through the dedicated application of its design engineers, Bobcat has established an enviable reputation for safety, innovation, and the delivery of clean, powerful forklift trucks — vehicles with safety engineered in.