The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are essential equipment that are used to transport and raise bulky loads and various materials. This particular material handling machine is used daily in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from a building supply company, in warehouses, at airports and in storage units and department stores. When operating a forklift, it is important to be completely aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
The first step is to power up the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you would utilize to transport a thing from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it must be positioned.
Secondly, move the forks down and up utilizing the first lever. Pull the lever towards you to move the fork up. To be able to move the fork down, push the lever away from you. Unless you are unloading or loading an object, the forks must ideally be kept near the ground.
Before picking up loads, use the other two levers and practice first. The second lever is responsible for tilting the forks forwards and backwards. In order to tilt the forks forwards, push the lever away from you. In order to tilt the forks back, pull the levers towards your body. These forks can tilt between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the movement of the forks from left to right. This is something which you should get used to. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you want the forks positioned.
When you are sure that you already know what you are supposed to be do, approach the load you would like to pick up slowly. In order to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide under the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards your body. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to slowly tilt the forks backwards.
When driving around corners go slow and get into the habit of honking the horn on the steering wheel to be able to alert others of the approaching equipment. Slowly approach the place where you will be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is similar to stopping a motor vehicle. Slowly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.