The Safe and Proper Way to Utilize a Forklift
Forklifts are important machinery which are used to transport and raise heavy loads and various supplies. This material handling equipment is utilized every day in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from a building supply company, in warehouses, within storage units and department stores and at airports. When utilizing a forklift, it is important to be fully aware of your surroundings in order to be safe.
The first step is to power up the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers located at the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you will be using to move an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the thing to where it should be placed.
The next step is to utilize the first lever to move the forks up and down. Pull the lever towards you to move the fork up. In order to move the fork down, push the lever away from your body. Unless you are unloading or loading an object, the forks should ideally be kept near the ground.
Prior to picking up loads, use the other two levers and practice first. The second lever is responsible for tilting the forks forwards and backwards. In order to tilt the forks forwards, push the lever away from you. In order to tilt the forks back, pull the levers towards your body. These forks can tilt between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the fork's movement from left to right. This is something which you must get used to. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move towards where you would like the forks placed.
When you are familiar, carefully approach the load you wish to pick up. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide underneath the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards your body. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to tilt the forks backwards slightly.
When driving around corners go slow and get into the habit of honking the horn on the steering wheel in order to alert others of the approaching machinery. Slowly approach the place where you will be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is similar to stopping a car. Slightly step on the brake. It is located on the left of the accelerator.