Forklift Controls
In any warehouse environment, among the most common machines is a forklift or lift truck. These versatile machinery consist of a vehicle along with two split forks at the front that are capable of transporting and carrying heavy things.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting things into up high, hard to reach places. Forklifts are still really dangerous machinery and must be utilized in a safe manner at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's guidebook and be familiar with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of every particular control and what specific feature it functions. The majority of lift trucks have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, you push the lever forward. To move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is another lever which controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability allows for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow objects to fall off while driving. Moreover, it helps items slide off in a more balanced way when unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks would tilt back, when pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Some kinds of forklifts are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is located just to the right of the operator's seat.
Inexperienced drivers must take advantage of qualified coworkers who could go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this when the forklift is turned off and not operational. Ask the qualified professional if you have any questions about how something functions.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is usually the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that to be able to make the equipment go, you use the gas. And if you would like to make it stop, you simply release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of lift trucks. There are several kinds of hydrostatic forklifts which are equipped with battery powered engines which turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.