Forklift Controls
In any warehouse environment, amongst the most common equipments is a forklift or lift truck. These versatile machines consist of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which can transport and carry heavy things.
Forklifts can maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting objects into hard to reach, up high places. Lift trucks are still very dangerous equipment and should be utilized in a safe way at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
Take the time to read the owners manual after acquiring a new forklift to help you get familiar with the controls. The instruction manual will feature the particular location of every control and the functions it has. Most forklifts 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 simply pull back on the lever.
There is another lever which controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability enables for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep things steady and won't allow items to fall off when driving. Furthermore, it helps items slide off when unloading in a more balanced method.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, when pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Several kinds of forklifts are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is situated just to the right of the driver's seat.
Prior to using the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a qualified coworker. Be sure to do this when the forklift is turned off and not in use. Ask the trained professional if you have any questions regarding how something works.
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 utilize the gas. And if you would like to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of lift trucks. There are several hydrostatic models that are outfitted with battery powered engines which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.