Forklift Controls
In any warehouse setting, among the most common equipments is a lift truck or forklift. These versatile machinery are comprised of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front that are capable of transporting and lifting heavy things.
The standard forklift is built to work and move in small spaces and could carry items to and from high up places. Lift trucks are still really dangerous equipment and need to be operated safely at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
Make the time to read the owners instruction manual after acquiring a new forklift to help you get familiar with the controls. The manual would feature the specific location of each control and the functions it has. The majority of forklifts have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is a second lever that controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability allows for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep things steady and won't allow things to fall off while driving. Moreover, it helps objects slide off in a more balanced way when unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks would tilt back, when pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Some types of forklifts are equipped with a third lever that controls the width of the forks. Every one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Inexperienced drivers should take advantage of experienced 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 qualified professional if you have any questions about how anything functions.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that in order to make the equipment 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 kinds of forklifts. There are some kinds of hydrostatic forklifts which are equipped with battery powered engines that turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.