Instigator / Pro
14
1731
rating
167
debates
73.05%
won
Topic
#5016

A forklift on a truck is better than a truck on a forklift.

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
6
0
Better sources
4
0
Better legibility
2
0
Better conduct
2
0

After 2 votes and with 14 points ahead, the winner is...

Intelligence_06
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
3
Time for argument
Two weeks
Max argument characters
10,001
Voting period
Two months
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
0
1500
rating
2
debates
50.0%
won
Description

Definitions up to interpretation and are up to contention even after the debate starts. Have fun.

Round 1
Pro
#1
Forfeited
Con
#2
Forfeited
Round 2
Pro
#3
It ain't easy applying to 20 colleges whilst keeping my activity on this site so I took a break. Now I am sorta back.

Define 'better'

We all know "Better" is just the comparative form of "good". What is good? To simplify, more benefits, or less costs. Damaging hardware would be costly for obvious reasons, for by damaging equipment, you are rendering what is usable unusable, thus what could provide value could not provide any value/benefits anymore.

Less Damage

Let's see the average mass of a forklift.
About 2,000kg.

Let's see the average mass of a truck.
Remember, a 2-ton rating is only for a 4~5-seater pickup truck or equivalent, and Semi-trucks are much heavier. Based on these statistics, it is safe to assume that the average truck is immensely heavier than the average forklift.

Now let's see the average capacity of a forklift.
Keep in mind, the 158,000 lb capacity forklift generally looks something like this and is nowhere as common as the ones seen in warehouses. We should assume that the average capacity of a forklift is about 5000~10,000 pounds, or 4.5 tons max.

What about trucks?
Trucks with gross weight 15,000 lbs and more are much more common than forklifts. In fact, for lighter forklifts, an F-150 would suffice in containing it for its full capacity is 3,750 lbs.

  • Conclusions
    • Based on the weights and payload capacities of trucks and forklifts, a truck on a forklift is much more likely to break the forklift than the inverse. Therefore, a forklift on a truck, on average, is the less damaging choice and thus more beneficial and better.

Con
#4
Forfeited
Round 3
Pro
#5
I guess I retain my arguments since my opponents cannot and will not be able to validly respond to any of my arguments.
Con
#6
Forfeited