How to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are important equipment that are used to transport and lift bulky loads and various supplies. This material handling equipment is used on a daily basis in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from in warehouses, a building supply business, in storage units and department stores and at airports. When utilizing a forklift, it is really essential to be fully aware of your surroundings in order to be safe.
First, you must turn the key to start the forklift. Become familiar with the levers located at the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you will utilize to transport an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the thing to where it should be positioned.
The next step is to utilize the first lever to move the forks up and down. 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 close to the ground.
Before picking up loads, utilize 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 are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the movement of the forks from left to right. This is something that you should get used to. From side to side, they can move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move towards where you would like the forks placed.
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. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide beneath the load. Carefully lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to slightly tilt the forks backwards.
You must go slow when you drive around corners. Make sure that you honk the horn found on the steering wheel to be able to alert other individuals of the approaching machinery. Carefully approach the place where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is like stopping a car. Slowly step on the brake. It is located on the left of the accelerator.