Forklift Controls
Among the most common pieces of equipment you will see in any warehouse is a forklift. These versatile equipment are comprised of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front which could transport and carry bulky objects.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and can lift items into hard to reach, up high places. Lift trucks are still extremely dangerous machinery and need to be used in a safe manner at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, make time to read the owner's handbook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of every specific control and what particular feature it functions. The majority of lift trucks have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is a second lever which controls the tilt of the forks. This tilting capability allows for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep items steady and won't allow items to fall off while driving. Moreover, it helps things slide off in a more balanced way while unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, when pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Some forklift models are outfitted with a third lever which controls the fork width. Each and every one of these levers is situated just to the right of the driver's seat.
Inexperienced drivers should take advantage of qualified coworkers who can go over the controls with them. Be certain to do this while the forklift is off and not operational. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions regarding how something functions.
Watch how the coworker shows the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that in order to make the equipment go, you utilize the gas. And if you want to make it stop, you simply release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these types of forklifts. There are some types of hydrostatic forklifts which are outfitted with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.