Forklift Controls
One of the most common kinds of machinery you would see in any warehouse is a forklift. These versatile machinery consist of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front which could haul and carry bulky items.
The standard lift truck is designed to work and move in small spaces and can lift items to and from high up places. Forklifts are still very dangerous machinery and must be utilized in a safe way at all times, after correct training and certification has taken place.
When new to a lift truck, take time to read the owner's handbook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of every specific control and what specific 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 move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is another lever that controls the tilt of the forks. This tilting capability allows for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep things steady and won't allow objects to fall off while driving. Additionally, it helps objects slide off in a more balanced method when unloading.
In order to tilt the forks back, you pull the lever back and to be able to tilt the forks forward, you simply push the lever forward. Various forklift models are outfitted with a third lever that controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Inexperienced operators must take advantage of experienced coworkers who could go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this while the forklift is off and not being utilized. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions about how anything functions.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is usually the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that in order to make the machine 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 kinds of forklifts. There are some hydrostatic models that are outfitted with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.