Forklift Controls
In any warehouse setting, amongst the most common equipments is a forklift or lift truck. These all-around machinery are comprised of a vehicle with two split forks at the front which are capable of hauling and lifting bulky items.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and capable of lifting things into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still very dangerous machines and should be used in a safe manner at all times, after correct training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's instruction manual and be familiar with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of every specific control and what specific feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is another lever which controls the tilt of the forks. This tilting capability enables for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow items to fall off when driving. Additionally, it helps things slide off in a more balanced method while unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, while pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Several types of forklifts are outfitted with a third lever that controls the fork width. Every one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Inexperienced drivers should take advantage of qualified coworkers who can go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this while the forklift is turned off and not being utilized. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions about how something functions.
Observation is usually the best method to learn new forklift skills. So take time to observe a coworker demonstrating the function of every control. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that to be able to make the machine go, you use 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 types of hydrostatic forklifts that are complete with battery powered engines that turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.