Forklift Controls
In any warehouse environment, among the most common machines is a forklift or lift truck. These all-around machinery consist of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front which can haul and lift bulky things.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting items into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still extremely dangerous equipment and must be used safely all the time, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, make time to read the owner's handbook and be familiar with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of each specific control and what specific feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, you push the lever forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is another lever that controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability enables for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep objects steady and won't allow items to fall off while driving. Furthermore, it helps items slide off while unloading in a more balanced way.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, while pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Several kinds 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 driver's seat.
Prior to using the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a trained colleague. Be certain to do this while the forklift is off and not in use. Ask the qualified professional if you have any questions regarding how anything functions.
Observation is normally the best method to learn new forklift skills. So take time to observe a coworker showing the function of every control. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that to be able to make the machinery go, you use 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 that are equipped with battery powered engines that turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.