What simulators teach.How to choose one.
Forklift simulators let operators learn the controls and practise risky tasks in a virtual warehouse before they touch a real truck. This guide covers the formats, what simulation is good for and what it is not, and the questions worth asking any supplier, us included.
A forklift simulator recreates a truck, its controls and its working environment in real-time 3D. Trainees sit at controls like a truck’s, or wear a VR headset, and practise driving, lifting and placing loads in a virtual warehouse, yard or dock. The software runs the same exercise for every trainee and repeats it as often as needed.
Screen-based simulators put a seat, steering wheel, pedals and levers in front of one or more screens. VR simulators replace the screens with a headset, which gives a stronger sense of depth, of the truck’s height and of what is around it. Motion simulators add a platform that tilts and moves the seat.
Each step adds realism, cost and space. Which one fits depends on what your operators need to learn, how many you train, and where the simulator will live.
Learning the controls before the first shift, so time on the real truck starts further along.
Practising what is hard or unsafe to stage for real: working at height near the stability limit, close to people, or in a crowded dock.
Repeating a task until it is right, with no wear on a truck, no energy used and no damaged stock.
Giving every trainee the same exercises, so their progress can be compared fairly.
A simulator prepares operators; it does not replace practical training and assessment on the real truck, on the site where they will work. Use it so trainees arrive at the real machine better prepared, not to skip that step. Check which training and certification requirements apply to your operation.
Which trucks does it simulate: counterbalance forklifts, battery-operated pallet trucks (BOPT), stackers, reach trucks? Can it simulate the ones you use?
How close are the controls to your trucks’ controls, and can they be changed?
Which exercises and scenarios come with it, and can new ones be added for your tasks?
What does the instructor see and control, and what is recorded for each trainee?
Can it model your own warehouse, racks and docks?
What hardware and space does it need, and who sets it up?
What support, updates and instructor training come with it?
When your trucks, attachments or site differ from what an off-the-shelf simulator offers, or when the task is specific (a particular dock, a narrow aisle, an unusual load), a simulator can be built around your equipment and floor. Exlynks builds custom equipment, vehicle and task-specific simulators in Unity, modelled on your machines and your site.
Our Forklift Simulator, BOPT Simulator and Stacker Simulator are available now, as are boom lift and driving simulators. We can set up a demo, or scope a simulator built for your equipment.
To see the machine itself, try our guide How a forklift works and its interactive 3D teardown.
Forklift simulator training uses a real-time 3D recreation of a forklift, its controls and its working environment, so trainees can practise driving, lifting and placing loads safely before they use a real truck.
VR lets trainees practise in a convincing environment and repeat tasks safely, which helps them learn the controls and recognise hazards before using a real truck. Whether it is worth it depends on how many operators you train and what they need to learn; it works alongside practical training on the real truck, not instead of it.
Not necessarily. Motion adds realism, cost and space. Many training goals, such as learning the controls, the sequence of a task and safe habits, can be met with a screen-based or VR simulator.
Controls close to your trucks’ controls, exercises for the tasks your operators actually do, instructor tools and trainee records, and ideally the option to model your own site.
Yes. Exlynks builds custom equipment, vehicle and task-specific simulators in Unity, modelled on your machines and your site, alongside its Forklift, BOPT and Stacker simulators, which are available now.
Our Forklift, BOPT and Stacker simulators are available now, and we build simulators around your own equipment. Tell us what you train on.
We use Google Analytics cookies to count visits and see which pages are read. Nothing else. Privacy