Magnetic Field From Forklift?

[MusicKat]

I am about to transport several pallets of analog master tapes across the country and unload them into a climate controlled storage facility. My question is this: Is there any potential danger from these pallets being effected by the magnetic field from the motor(s) in the forklift? I do not want to do anything that would put these masters at risk, but it would sure save time and make for a neater job if we could use the forklift.
Thanks for all your input!

- MusicKat

[netrom]

Originally Posted by MusicKat

I am about to transport several pallets of analog master tapes across the country and unload them into a climate controlled storage facility. My question is this: Is there any potential danger from these pallets being effected by the magnetic field from the motor(s) in the forklift? I do not want to do anything that would put these masters at risk, but it would sure save time and make for a neater job if we could use the forklift.
Thanks for all your input!

- MusicKat

Hm. Hard to say. You need to measure the magnetic field which the engine generate (does the fork lift run on battery/petrol?) before someone can give you an answer. The forks themselves are controlled by hydraulics, so I guess they'll not pose a risk. It depends how shielded the engine is. Anyway, tape should never be exposed to a strong magnetic field, but it does not matter if it's a weak magnetic field (remember that the earth itself generates a magnetic field, but is's to weak to pose any risk).

[travisbrown]

Or just phone a magnetic media company/distributor, or an archiving company and ask them if there is anything you should be concerned about or protective measures you should take.

Thousands of pounds of computer data storage is transported around the country every day, so there are companies that know how to handle such media.

I'm guessing that it's not going to be an issue. I've seen guys with pacemakers driving electric forklifts, and the time on the forklift is going to be minimal, but check first.

[Paul Hammond]

Thats a good question. Based on my experience's with different types of forklifts I would have to say first, if there is any question whatsoever, don't risk it. Certain forklifts are operated on large DC batteries and have reverse
DC braking circuits built into the wheels. Most of the lifts themselves are hydraulic which would tend to not generate magnet fields but maybe electrostatic. I know that there are lift trucks that are specifically designed to have extremely low EMF field interference so they can be used for transporting highly sensitive materials for government/military applications, though I can't tell you which brand or model. You could use an old fashioned hydraulic pallet jack to move them with no risk, except to maybe the back of the person pulling them! I have heard first hand stories of master tapes having erasure bumps in them from being partially degaussed from being set next to the electric conduit on a passenger train floor. Best of luck!

[travisbrown]

I was 16 years old assisting for my first gig at Little Mountain Sound and unknowingly put a loaded 2" reel down on a roadcase full of guitar cabinets for the next session.

The berating from the engineer that followed wasn't fun.

Luckily nothing apparent happened.

[MusicKat]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will take Paul Hammonds advice and not risk it at this point until I have more complete information - Cheers! - MusicKat

[melodic_disaster]

If you are that worried, why not use magenetic shielding foil and the like? you can shield from emf's if you are tranferring beatles masters.

othrwise, you might be overthinking it. if tape was that delicate it never would have made it past the fairchild unit.

[Kiwiburger]

Yeah - use a totally enclosed steel box, it will function as a faraday cage.

Forklifts could easily be electric, with strong magnetic fields. And so many other potential minefields - like security sensors, roller doors, conveyors - or just a big shipment of cheap speakers or fridge magnets. Who knows? It's your risk ...

I would probably wrap them in a cheap steel mesh too - because that box is going to be opened and scanned by somebody. Better they can see it's mag tape without actually having to unwrap them.

And you've got digital copies in multiple formats and locations?

[Kiwiburger]

Tape erasing/de-gauzing is remarkably simple to achieve ... and airline security has reached psychotically de-ranged levels of stupidity. Corporate greed, bureauocratic bungling coupled with a political need to establish a climate of fear has removed common sense from this equation ...

[MusicKat]

Thanks again for all of your help. If I may follow up with one more question?
The tractor trailer will be crossing the border and will be "x- rayed" by a machine
where you drive the whole unit into a garage like structure. I have questioned the border officials and they claim that since 9 / 11, they do this with every tractor trailer unit, and that it is not really x - rays, but some type of gamma ray. Again, they insist that there will be no ill effect to the magnetic tapes. Any ideas on this? I am not sure they are easily talked out of not x raying the trailer, even if I accompany it.