A forklift truck includes two driven front wheels, a lifting device, and at least one elevatable component. The glide is formed of a hollow, resilient ball and includes a plurality of leg attachment holes therethrough. Several embodiments of the apparatus are described; they all employ the racetrack-shaped blending vessel, which is highly effective in promoting mixing. Methods for amplifying a target nucleic acid while reducing undesired amplification products are disclosed, as are methods for reducing non-specific fluorescence. Further, the method and apparatus are adaptable for use in the laboratory or the field. The sensor output signals representing crankshaft position are digitized and specific timing positions are derived.