Forklift Controls
One of the most common types of equipment you will see in any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around machinery consist of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front which can haul and lift heavy objects.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and can lift items into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still extremely dangerous equipment and need to be utilized in a safe manner at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a lift truck, make time to read the owner's guidebook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each specific control and what specific feature it functions. Most forklifts have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
The forklift's second lever is utilized to tilt the forks allowing for better weight distribution across the forklift. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow items to fall off when driving. In addition, it helps items slide off while 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. Some forklift models are equipped with a third lever that controls the width of the forks. Each and every one of these levers is located just to the right of the operator's seat.
Inexperienced drivers must 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 anything works.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best method to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that in order to make the machinery go, you use the gas. And if you would like 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 which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.