Forklift Controls
In any warehouse setting, among the most common machinery is a forklift or lift truck. These versatile machinery consist of a vehicle with two split forks at the front that are capable of moving and carrying heavy objects.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting items into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still very dangerous equipment and need to be operated safely all the time, after proper training and certification has taken place.
Make the time to read the owners guidebook after acquiring a new forklift to help you get familiar with the controls. The guidebook will feature the specific location of every control and the functions it has. 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, you push the lever forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is another lever that controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability enables for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep objects stable and won't allow things to fall off when driving. Moreover, it helps things 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 simply push the lever forward. Several kinds of forklifts are equipped with a third lever that controls the fork width. Each one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Before 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 turned off and not in use. Ask the qualified professional if you have any questions about how anything functions.
Observation is often the best way to learn new forklift skills. So take time to observe a coworker demonstrating the function of every control. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that in order to make the machine go, you use the gas. And if you want to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these types of forklifts. There are some types of hydrostatic forklifts that are complete with battery powered engines which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.