How to Properly Use a Forklift
Lift trucks are lifting machinery which could transport cargo. They are usually used in various industries to move heavy materials. They can be found at airports, building supply companies and warehouses. Any individual operating a forklift needs to be trained to utilize the equipment carefully. It is vital to be completely aware of one's environment while operating a forklift. Forklifts are designed to run on propane, gasoline, diesel or batteries. Regular forklifts are popular in various commercial applications and are truly not hard to operate with proper training. The following steps outline the fundamentals of using a forklift:
1 Familiarize yourself with the levers which would be used to maneuver the load and to move the item from one place to another. The levers could be found to the right of the steering wheel.
2 The first lever controls the down and up movement of the blades. Pulling the lever towards you moves the blades up, and pushing the lever away from you moves them down. Blades should be kept close to the ground except when loading or unloading.
3 The other two levers control the tilt and the right/left movement of the tines. The forks are designed to tilt between 15 and 30 degrees. It is better that you practice prior to picking up a load. Utilizing the second lever, pull it towards your body to tilt the blades back, and push it away from your body to tilt the tines forward.
4 The third lever is moved side to side to control the movement of the forks from left to right. Just move the lever towards where you want the blades to move: right to move the forks right and left in order to move the tines left.
5 Always approach a cargo cautiously. Lower the forks and drive forward cautiously until the blades slide under the load. Then lift the forks a few centimeters by pulling the lever towards you. If the cargo is top-heavy, you should tilt the blades backwards a small amount for balance.
6 Alert other individuals and employees when the forklift is approaching by honking and take safety precautions by taking corners slowly and honking. Approach the place where you will be working cautiously. Manipulate the levers to maneuver the cargo to where it is going. When the cargo is placed, reverse gears and back away cautiously.
7 Lift trucks stop in much the same way as other types of vehicles. The brake is located to the left side of the accelerator. Once stopped, shift the gear into "park."