Forklift Controls
One of the most common types of equipment you will see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around equipment consist of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which could haul and lift heavy things.
Forklifts could maneuver in small spaces and could lift things into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still very dangerous equipment and should be operated 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 handbook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each particular control and what particular feature it functions. Nearly all forklifts 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 simply pull back on the lever.
The forklift's second lever is utilized to tilt the forks allowing for better distribution of weight across the forklift. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow things to fall off when driving. Furthermore, it helps objects slide off in a more balanced way when unloading.
To be able to tilt the forks back, you pull the lever back and in order to tilt the forks forward, you just push the lever forward. Some forklift models are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Every one of these levers is situated just to the right of the operator's seat.
Prior to utilizing 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 off and not in use. Ask the qualified expert if you have any questions about how anything functions.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is often the best method to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that in order to make the machine go, you utilize 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 lift trucks. There are some types of hydrostatic forklifts that are outfitted with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.