Forklift Controls
Inside any warehouse environment, among the most common machines is a lift truck or forklift. These all-around machines are comprised of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which can move and carry heavy items.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and can lift objects into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still very dangerous equipment and have to be used in a safe way at all times, after correct training and certification has taken place.
Make the time to read the owners instruction manual after acquiring a new forklift to help you familiarize yourself with the controls. The handbook would feature the specific location of every control and the functions it has. Most forklifts have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, you push the lever forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is a second lever that controls the tilt of the forks. 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. Additionally, it helps things slide off while unloading in a more balanced method.
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. Several types of forklifts are outfitted with a third lever which controls the fork width. Every one of these levers is located 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 certain to do this while the forklift is off and not in use. Ask the qualified expert if you have any questions about how something works.
Watch how the coworker shows the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that to be able to make the equipment go, you utilize the gas. And if you would like to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of lift trucks. There are several hydrostatic models which are outfitted with battery powered engines that turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.