Forklift Controls
Amongst the most common types of machinery you will see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around machinery consist of a vehicle together with two split forks at the front that could haul and lift heavy objects.
Forklifts can maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting objects into hard to reach, up high places. Lift trucks are still extremely dangerous machinery and must be used in a safe manner all the time, after correct training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's manual and be familiar with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each specific control and what particular feature it functions. The majority of lift trucks have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, the lever should be pushed forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is another lever which controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability allows for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow objects to fall off when driving. Additionally, it helps objects slide off in a more balanced method while unloading.
To be able to tilt the forks back, you pull the lever back and to be able to tilt the forks forward, you just push the lever forward. Various types of forklifts are outfitted with a third lever that controls the width of the forks. Every one of these levers is situated just to the right of the driver'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 in use. Ask the qualified professional if you have any questions about how something functions.
Observation is normally the best way to learn new forklift skills. So make time to observe a coworker showing the function of each control. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that to be able to make the machinery go, you use 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 forklifts. There are some hydrostatic models which are equipped with battery powered engines which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.