Forklift Controls
Amongst the most common pieces of equipment you will see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around equipment consist of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front that can transport and lift heavy items.
Forklifts could maneuver in small spaces and could lift objects into up high, hard to reach places. Forklifts are still really dangerous machinery and have to be used safely all the time, after correct training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, make time to read the owner's guidebook and be familiar with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each particular control and what specific feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers which 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 be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
The forklift's second lever is utilized to tilt the forks allowing for better weight distribution across the forklift. This tilting action helps to keep objects stable and won't allow things to fall off while driving. Furthermore, it helps things slide off while unloading in a more balanced method.
To be able to tilt the forks back, you pull the lever back and to be able to tilt the forks forward, you simply push the lever forward. Several types of forklifts are outfitted with a third lever that controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is situated just to the right of the operator's seat.
Before using the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a trained coworker. Be sure to do this while the forklift is off and not operational. Ask the trained professional if you have any questions about how anything works.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best method to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that in order to make the machinery go, you utilize the gas. And if you would like to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these types of lift trucks. There are several hydrostatic models that are complete with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.