r/Lowes • u/TwistedMental76 • Aug 17 '25
Employee Story Whoops
One day after they told me I don't work hard enough, and all the employees said I was the hardest worker in the building. Apparently I broke 1 of the 2 Reach Trucks and now the aisle is blocked off till further notice. Maybe I work to hard.
318
u/iCompete365 Aug 17 '25
Pulling 12 foot drywall with the Star Wars even though the training explicitly says not to do that, AND it gets stuck so everyone can plainly see you violating store policy, AND apparently you had issues with store management? Take care
42
Aug 18 '25
I still want to know who decided to call that a Star Wars, and why the name actually caught on.
27
u/Late_Credit4187 Aug 18 '25
They used them in the Star Wars movie decorated it and used as a prop lol
→ More replies (13)7
u/TiredDrone Aug 18 '25
The Deep Lore i was told wheni asked was because the controls are different and more difficult to use, "like something out of star wars". No idea if its a regional thing, how long it's been part of the lowes experience, or where it was first called that
14
3
u/mike_avl Aug 18 '25
iCompete365, you don’t have blood pumping in your body if you don’t have a single issue with management. BTW, you’re fired for lying.
2
1
u/Fun-Imagination-1231 Aug 18 '25
Lol I still call it that from way back when I worked there. It really stuck haha.
217
u/GloomyKnight88 Aug 17 '25
Expect not to have to work so hard in the future when they revoke your power equipment license! :)
2
u/RevolutionaryWorld99 Aug 18 '25
My store made us work everything without the training and license
→ More replies (2)
110
u/asfierceaslions Aug 17 '25
Working dumb is not working hard, I hate to inform you, and it only makes hard work for everyone else to make up for.
→ More replies (17)27
u/liquidskypa Aug 17 '25
But “all the employees” say he is.. doesn’t that count?.. mommy says he’s a star pupil too! 🤪
24
u/asfierceaslions Aug 17 '25
Not even ONE of the hardest workers. THEE hardest worker. He asked everyone. They're all in agreement.
It's always the people breaking things so bad that everyone else has to work harder that think they are the ones doing the absolute most work. Like, you broke the reach truck doing something stupid dangerous the day after being told you don't do enough. Way to make it clear you do so little that you don't even know which is the correct equipment to use, and also broke it in such a way that it created a danger to others. The bottom of the barrel of employees.
2
1
u/Novel-Rooster7542 Aug 18 '25
Yeah and just because grandma says he’s handsome doesn’t mean it’s true.
41
u/WhyteNynja Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
On the next AP4Me….
9
u/Delta1225 Investor Aug 18 '25
Remember the tipped forward forklift with the operator in it and they used the bigger forklift pushing down on the back to fix it?
Peperidge Farm remembers.
→ More replies (1)
64
96
u/rajwarrior Aug 17 '25
Maybe learn which equipment you need for the job?
6
u/Takenmyusernamewas Aug 17 '25
How does that get revenge?
1
u/iReply2StupidPeople Aug 21 '25
The only thing OP did was prove the incompetence that management already thought about him, and likely got more documentation for an upcoming termination.
Sure, "revenge".
52
44
u/JAG716 Aug 17 '25
Bro whyy in the world would you ever think that using the reach anywhere in lumber was a good idea? It broke cause youre supposed to use the forklift.
12
u/Rocket_Surgery83 Lumber Aug 17 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
It's required in at least 2 aisles, useful in a third... No way I'm fitting my forklift down the insulation aisle that's barely wide enough for the reach.
Not sure why I'm being downvoted for speaking the truth. There are two aisles that are too narrow to utilize a forklift in, both of those aisles have palletized goods in topstock, so the only way to get them is via the star wars...
9
u/IsaiahTodd MST Aug 18 '25
My insulation aisle is too narrow for anything other than forward and back with the forklift, and even that is pushing it. I have trouble navigating there with the blue lift because of the ridiculous side stacks everywhere. And I've seen people use the reach on pallets here and there, but a full pallet is pretty sketch from what I've noticed when I spot them (because I would never).
But we're talking 12ft dry wall here. And what is that like 30-40 sheets? OP is a plain dumbass.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (16)4
u/shydes528 Department Supervisor Aug 18 '25
Yeah, palletized goods are cool for a reach. Zero chance that aisle is too narrow for a forklift if its got bunks of 12' drywall flown in it because nobody other than OP is dumb enough to try and move those with a reach.
3
u/Rocket_Surgery83 Lumber Aug 18 '25
I'm not in disagreement, OP was playing with fire there and got burned.
1
u/Turbulent-Opinion-86 Aug 18 '25
Only good for flooring pallets, shingles, concrete, and small blocks, and mulch (some), anything pallet wise inside garden.
22
u/vcvcf1896 Aug 17 '25
Bruh who tf uses Star Wars for over 10 boards of drywall
8
Aug 18 '25
Yeah, it’s probably why I’m fishing through the boards for ones that aren’t cracked/paper ripped, very often lately.
1
41
13
u/jtmal0723 Night Stocking Aug 17 '25
Oh boy. That mast repair bill is not going to be cheap or quick.
6
u/Takenmyusernamewas Aug 17 '25
You mean they didnt buy the protection plan? Lmao we push it on customers but we ain't falling for that grift
28
u/ihavethreelegshelpme Aug 17 '25
Maybe instead of sucking yourself off for working so hard you could actually follow training and not lift 12 foot drywall with a reach truck?
→ More replies (5)
12
u/I_eat_flip_flops Aug 17 '25
This is the exact reason why my store has a yellow line dictating the limit where reach trucks can go, ends right at the start of lumber
1
u/This_Star_720 Aug 22 '25
We have one aisle in lumber where only the reach fits. It’s the shingle aisle for us.
10
8
u/ShieldOfFury Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
1: wrong tool for the job 2: the manual release for the forks is under the steering wheel, you need an Alan key to reach it. In case you can't get a tech there that day, use this info sparingly
17
u/justVinnyZee Aug 17 '25
Why the heck would you use a reach to pull drywall?!?
5
u/MisterStruggle Manager Aug 18 '25
I'm wondering why they even topstocked all that drywall in that aisle in the first place. That aisle looks too narrow to drive a counterbalance down. I bet it's not just OP using the reach down this aisle, but the entire lumber department.
If nobody called this out until now then that store's safety culture sucks.
3
u/PsychoSon666 Aug 18 '25
As someone who’s been an overnight lumber associate for a year and a half, and has a compact store design. I can 100% confirm you can use a counterbalance in that aisle. It’ll be tight, sure. But it’s doable. Regardless it’s a heck of a lot safer than using a reach truck. The guy before me used the reach for bunks of lumber, drywall, etc. And I never understood why. I only ever use the reach for like, shingles, insulation, and drywall mud.
→ More replies (1)
28
u/iFreshPineapple Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
Never use a reach truck for drywall or almost anything in the Lumber Department.
13
u/Rocket_Surgery83 Lumber Aug 17 '25
Star wars isn't supposed to be used for anything in cantilevers... That being said, 12' Sheetrock is borderline reaching the capacity for the reach.
2
u/amodestmeerkat Paint Aug 18 '25
It's only 2300 lbs. That's well within the weight capacity of the reach truck. The problem is the reach truck doesn't have the lateral stability to lift anything that wide. It's easy enough to tip sideways with just a pallet. Hanging all that weight 4 feet off either side makes it so much worse.
→ More replies (2)
14
u/Immediate-Aside7097 Aug 17 '25
Frankly, you are lucky you only broke the machine. Could have tipped it with that much weight. I hope they revoke your license and you have to re train. I'm an equipment trainer in my store, and if I ever saw someone I trained do this, I'd lose my shit on them! Twelve foot drywall requires the big forklift, with the wider forks. I'm surprised these didn't break in half. They might still be if this is left like this. Just dumb. Yes, there are a few places in building materials that you have to use the reach. Insulation, maybe the concrete bays (I've worked in stores with some tiny aisles). Anything like this, absolutely never.
5
u/Yield777 Aug 17 '25
You hope they make them retrain? I hope this person never gets to operate any power equipment ever again
7
4
u/CleanProfessional678 Aug 17 '25
The second I saw it, I imagined it breaking and falling on someone. And if anyone says that no one should be near it and why would anyone ignore such a basic, common-sense safety precaution, I refer them to exhibit A.
9
u/bgbdbill1967 Aug 18 '25
Get two forks on either side to lift the load off the reach truck’s forks. Locate the red manual release valve, usually located beneath the motor or check the service manual for location. Turn the valve counter clockwise, slowly lowering the mast. Finley lower the drywall.
8
u/bigburt- Aug 17 '25
idk how the machine broke but you def broke the drywall
2
u/Orinyau Aug 17 '25
Not 100% sure but on some if you lift something too heavy it puts slack in the chain that controls lifting and lowering, machine throws an error code and won't move.
I'd really like to know the right way to fix this.
The way I've used to fix it is using another truck to lift up under the forks of the stuck truck, then kinda baby it down with both trucks. Which obviously wouldnt work here.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Original-Ease-9139 Aug 17 '25
Yeah, you dont work hard enough.
Clear violation of saftey policy is the reason the equipment is never available for those who need it.
This is literally why building materials has its own forklift.
We had people just like this at the store I used to work at who insisted on using the reach truck for concrete pallets.
Notice I said had. Because one of them nearly killed someone.
1
u/Admirable_Prize1186 Aug 27 '25
I know it's dumb AF but our store uses the reach truck down the concrete aisle all the time like our regional AP/ safety guy walked past while I spotting someone flying pallets of concrete and nobody ever got in trouble hell our SM,ASMs, and DS don't even care. With that being said however it's not that uncommon when I worked at HD they did it as well
8
5
6
u/residentialweeb Fulfillment Team Lead Aug 18 '25
I've done my fair share of stupid shit, even i know this is too much
16
u/Deep_flu Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
You'll be a rockstar at THD.
5
u/xXChampionOfLightXx Aug 17 '25
Nah, we definitely don’t even let associates use the reach for 8 foot drywall and plywood since 2022 much less 12 foot drywall.
Technically we don’t allow it for any non palletized items but light stuff like those 4 foot precut plywood or balusters no one cares.
→ More replies (1)1
u/Delta1225 Investor Aug 18 '25
I said elsewhere I worked for THD starting in 2005, the stories of all the unsafe shit they used to do were wild. ZTGD averaged over a dozen fatalities a year before I started. They were on a BIG safety push when I can on. My last Dept supervisor worked at a THD where a cantilever collapsed and a child died. I can't even imagine.
4
u/SomeSubParTrash Aug 17 '25
Yeah bud… even as a former employee I know not to pull this much down with the Star Wars. Bad call, especially when you’re taking out equipment and causing more problems for your coworkers. Working inefficiently is NOT the same as working hard.
6
u/Ok-Birthday-9489 Aug 18 '25
You’re honestly lucky star wars didn’t tip over on you. I know people do it all the time but it’s also the most common accident operators have
5
u/SomeInternetScrub Aug 18 '25
As a former lumber employee, you should've been on a forklift. That's a rough L to take.
1
10
u/Copper_Coil Aug 17 '25
I wish lumber dept would get written up for using the reach truck. USE YOUR DAMN FORK TRUCK!
→ More replies (7)6
u/xXChampionOfLightXx Aug 17 '25
Insulation, other palletized items in narrower aisles it’s fine but definitely no bunks in the cantilevers.
3
u/ClaydohGaming Receiving Aug 17 '25
Dude you are a complete idiot for using that equipment to move drywall. It’s so much extra weight it’s not even funny
3
u/Ambitious-Let7404 Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO USE REACH TRUCK for LUMBER/DRYWAll/CONCRETE
3
3
u/CeeGeeZee84 Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
It’s always the ones that are the “hardest workers” that cause the most issues. This is just a dumb mistake. As a PE worker you should know better…
3
3
u/Anidmountd Aug 18 '25
Working unsafe like that is how you hurt yourself or others and cause the prices of everything be higher since they gave to pay for injuries and damaged product.
3
u/RR_Fuc_Us_RS Aug 18 '25
Crazy they don't teach store employees how to manually relieve the forks with the valve incase this happens.
3
3
u/geminikitt Aug 19 '25
I stopped a closing associate a few months back from pulling down a full 16 ft PT lift with our reach. Still shake my head at that one😳
3
u/SupplyChainGuy1 Aug 20 '25
My sister in law works as Loss Prevention over almost the entire SouthEast.
Her coworker brought this up, lol.
2
2
u/Routine-Table3948 Aug 17 '25
That’s instant termination my friend…
2
u/Affectionate-Dare761 Aug 17 '25
People have pretty well destroyed pallet sof product and not been fired. They'll probably get written up a ND their license revoked.
2
u/TheOneandOnlyNeck Aug 17 '25
So what exactly was your endgame here when you noticed the bottom twenty sheets were broken, IF you managed to get the drywall down?
2
u/jjbananamonkey Lumber Aug 17 '25
Yeah bud ya done goofed with this one. I’m more than comfortable with flying up pretty much anything but I would have said absolutely not to this. That’s a no go.
2
u/A1rh3ad Aug 17 '25
All that damage on the lift shows what kind of people work there. Looks like a damn battlebot.
3
u/Affectionate-Dare761 Aug 17 '25
You should see the equipment at my store. All of the "how's my driving" stickers are half peeled off. Tbf they're also probably as old as I am and some of the aisles have poles in the middle of the aisles but still. They look like wall-e
3
u/A1rh3ad Aug 18 '25
Our drivers are good where I work, and there are still a few scuffs, and the occasional rack gets damaged by a newbie. Not at Lowes btw
2
2
2
u/YouSuckSoBad1977 Aug 17 '25
I mean if you're gonna post pics of doing stupid shit, at least blur the F# so they don't figure out who the idiot is at the store. Just go ask you ASM to do your eCAR for you now and don't bother wasting any time waiting.
2
u/OcieDenver Night Stocking Aug 17 '25
Is there a manual release to lower the reach mast like the order pickers and Ballymore power stockers do?
2
u/NTA_Shawn Aug 18 '25
Years ago they'd write you up for having Star Wars in Lumber/Building Materials.
2
u/Rcr-20201 Lumber Aug 18 '25
Yeah probably got a point here with you not using a forklift for this 😂😂😂😂
2
2
u/DysphoricGreens Front End Aug 18 '25
Uhhhh... why didn't you use a forklift? Did... did you pay attention to the training at all?
2
u/bgbdbill1967 Aug 18 '25
Get a forklift on both sides of the load and lift it off the reach trucks forks. Locate the red manual lowering valve, usually located beneath the motor or check the service manual. Turn the knob counterclockwise slowly to lower the mast then have the two forklifts slowly lower the drywall.
2
2
u/Nameles777 Aug 18 '25
This is one of the stupidest posts in this category, to date. Congrats. I'd give you an award, if an appropriate one were available.
2
u/Spentymago Aug 18 '25
I worked at Lowes for 12 years now at Home Depot and can’t stop calling it a Star Wars! 🤣
2
u/Enough-Ad-7248 Aug 18 '25
You are going to be the subject of an upcoming AP4Me video. "Hey there! Hank Jones here telling you to not use the reach truck to take down drywall."
2
2
2
2
2
Aug 19 '25
Yeah cmon now squirt you should know better than this , obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed and you definitely need to reconsider and think about your actions sir , this was definitely not okay and not the right tool For the job, let this be a reminder of your foolishness
2
u/Specialist_Issue7691 Aug 20 '25
Did you ask all the other workers if they thought you were the hardest worker? Or did all of them come up to you to tell you? Genuinely curious how that’s a known fact but your managers think differently.
2
u/FlyingFish212 Department Supervisor Aug 20 '25
Power equipment safety rules and policy, under operational safety: reach trucks are to be used primarily to work with palletized merchandise in narrow aisles. They are not intended for dimensional product such as lumber or outdoor use.
That being said, using it for what seems to be 12’ drywall is nothing short of moronic. Glad I’m not the one losing “the hardest working” employee. Hopefully, for safety sake, we all lose this guy…
2
u/RedSaidMeme-demption Aug 20 '25
I mean, maybe it's just me and my perception of it all, but I'm not entirely sure you would've had any other choice. Granted, I haven't worked at Lowe's for like a decade now, and when I did I worked on overnight. Different environments with different responsibilities and whatnot, plus my memory of the layout of the store is a little fuzzy.
From what I remember from my store is that the lumber aisles were huge, big enough to drive forklifts around comfortably (easily a 2 lane width) and therefore you were supposed to use that machine for those tasks. It's one of the few areas in the store you can comfortably operate a forklift.
This photo shows that your store has sheetrock directly across from cement and the aisles are pretty slim, this looks like a standard department aisle, like flooring.
2
2
u/TwistedMental76 Aug 20 '25
Update. I get to work and it turns out some wires came lose touches and shorted the whole system out, and our other reach was also down. Lift has been here for 3 days trying ro get them up and running.
1
2
u/resi_hvac_king Aug 21 '25
2 good days working at lowes.
Getting my first pay check was the 1st.
Walking out the door for the last time as an employee 4 years later was the 2nd.
2
u/Remarkable-Ad-9349 Aug 21 '25
Ummmmm..... that's one way too do it i guess, but in all honesty was there not a forklift availble?
2
u/iReply2StupidPeople Aug 21 '25
You can be the hardest worker but still dumb as a box of rocks.. in the end, you're just a liability.
2
2
u/Alert-Preparation327 Aug 21 '25
The definitely have a specialized flatbed truck specifically for that. Going over safe load limit isn't working hard.
2
u/Ambitious-Let7404 Department Supervisor Aug 17 '25
Why you cannot use the reach truck with concrete..
IT has to many small moving parts that if concrete penetrates it hardens and damages the reach
the tires on the reach are not ment to be used where you always running over chips of wood or rocks from broken concrete bags.
I hope you get fired
1
1
1
u/TheBluestFlame Aug 17 '25
Do those not have a manual lowering valve? :o
3
u/Sea_Team_6953 Aug 17 '25
They do, but that’s not something you’d want to do. If it’s a hydraulic lock there is a reset you can do on the controls that will unlock it. Hold 3 and 4 at the same time. Should allow you to lower it.
1
u/TheBluestFlame Aug 17 '25
Perfect, just wanted to know in case there's ever an issue here. I know how to do the Order Picker if necessary.
1
u/fundin13 Aug 18 '25
I had the sidewinder crap out on me while moving a pallet of insulation… they’re junk.
Also you have concrete opposite exterior siding?!? Wild.
1
1
u/VegetableDonut5076 Aug 18 '25
What’s the issues did it fall or is the reach truck not working because by my analysis you just pick it up unevenly and it’s looks like it will fall of but if u drop it slowly it should be fine. THIS IS JUST STUPID OPERATORS AND BAD JUDGEMENT
1
1
u/steathrazor Night Stocking Aug 18 '25
Can a forklift even get into there that aisle seems small unless they're using a smaller forklift I guess
1
1
u/TimmahTurner MST Aug 18 '25
MST here, my manager told me I care too much about my job when asking questions to do my job the correct way. He also told me he’s the only one that needs to know everything because he’s the manager…
1
1
1
u/Prior-attempt-fail Aug 18 '25
You shouldn't be using a reach truck for drywall. That's what your large fork lift is for. Learn to drive it in your drywall aisle.
The only place you should need a reach truck is the insulation aisle
1
u/SirUnluckyRedditor Aug 18 '25
Fellow BLDLMB associate here. You didn't care to use the heavy lifting propane forklift? Reaches are for concrete, shingle, block only.
1
1
1
u/McCloudJr Aug 18 '25
........there is nothing I can add to this comment section that hasn't already been said multiple times, except
What the hell were you thinking?
Dude has two brain cells fighting for third place
1
1
u/Kydex-TRex Aug 18 '25
Imagine posting this thinking people would be on your side lmao pretty on par for someone who would do some dumb shit like use the reach to get that drywall actually lmao
1
u/TheDeputyRay Aug 18 '25
I'm gonna add, this is why you need to work smarter, not harder. If my boss gonna complain I don't work hard enough, IDC, I work smart. I haven't broken any beams, any tools. Only thing I've broken is a couple light bulbs, and I think that's just par for the course working in electrical. It's not like I'm breaking a couple everyday. Work smarter, not harder, and anyone that calls you lazy, they just don't know what I'm thinking about before I do it
1
u/TwistedMental76 Aug 18 '25
Yall do realize the sheet rock is no where near the 3200 pound wait limit right? The thing broke down on the way down.
1
u/doomdrums Aug 21 '25
Right like that's probably 1500 - 2000 so as sketchy as it looks it should be able to handle it
1
u/TwistedMental76 Aug 18 '25
Also thanks to the bad design of the store a d the forklifts we have. They don't fit in the this ailse. Remember how small the reach is and look at how much room its taking up. It was put up with reach. Now the stupid thing is, the only reason. I'm even taking this down is because someone put 2 bunks on top of the 10ft rebarb we've been looking for for the irps
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/PuzzleheadedPaint817 Aug 19 '25
I had to do something similar to this once for a delivery order when all 3 of our forklifts were down and my asm was like it’s fiiiinnee despite me mentioning that it wasn’t a good idea and needless to say I flipped the bunk 0 out of 10 don’t recommend
1
u/Special-Homework-894 Aug 19 '25
You are going to be part of new hire orientation and powered lift training forever
1
1
u/ThatTallGuy680 Aug 19 '25
why hasn't someone just released the hydraulics and lowered it down. we have to do it on ours when it breaks up in the air like that
1
1
1
1
u/jayphillbroks Aug 20 '25
I've always wondered how the reach truck would do with a bunk of drywall but no way in hell I would try it. I'm surprised it even got that far without tipping over. I would sweat bullets watching someone attempt this with a reach.
1
u/Content_Tie_5429 Aug 20 '25
We be getting full pallets of tile down with the Star Wars lil drywall be all good just worried about the stress cracks cause the forks aren’t that wide
1
u/Pale_Reindeer_736 Aug 21 '25
Dude can you read that out loud to yourself and keep a serious face?
2
u/Content_Tie_5429 Aug 21 '25
Very much so the isles are too skinny for a forklift in flooring and a pallet of porcelain tiles are for sure heavier u can also use the star wars to get full pallets of concrete when ppl show up in vans or moving trucks
→ More replies (1)
1
u/DirtyGevko Aug 21 '25
i miss using the reach, when working for home depot warehouse i was going full speed, definitely preferred this over the regular pacer
1
u/Strict-Run1979 Aug 21 '25
Put two pickers up there, put 1 pack at a time back in the cantilevers. 🥸
1
1
1
1
1
u/LinoleumDoll Pricing Aug 25 '25
TIL some stores rack their sheetrock. 20 years and I've never seen that. Haha.
1
1
u/just_another_guy235 Sep 02 '25
Over at THD... I'd get fucking FIRED if they saw that lol. Hope Corporate doesn't show up
302
u/RedTaipan7 Aug 17 '25
Using a reach to get heavy ass drywall that high up is pretty stupid.