A Systematic Approach to Noise Reduction of Army Fork Lift Trucks

This report discusses work performed under government contract to study and reduce noise emission of Army 6000 lb capacity fork lift trucks.

Sound levels of stock fork lift trucks were studied in detail including operator exposure. Contributing noise sources were identified and studied, and several abatement techniques were established for each source.

A novel approach was used to analyze the interaction of various techniques, and a “kit” or combination of source abatement techniques was analyzed for its overall effect on sound level and cost. After a complete study, the lowest cost kit was selected and prototypes procurred for verification tests.