How to Use a Forklift
Important equipment utilized to transport and lift different kinds of materials and heavy loads are forklifts. This material handling machinery 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 operating a forklift, it is important to be fully aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
The first step is to start the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers located at the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you would utilize to move a thing from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it should be placed.
Secondly, move the forks up and down using the first lever. Pull the lever towards you in order to move the fork up. To be able to move the fork down, push the lever away from your body. Unless you are unloading or loading an item, the forks should ideally be kept close to the ground.
Next, practice utilizing the other two levers before picking up a load. The second lever is utilized for tilting the forks forwards and backwards. In order to tilt the forks forwards, push the lever away from your body. In order to tilt the forks back, pull the levers towards you. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the movement of the forks from right to left. This is something that you should get used to. From side to side, they can move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you want the forks positioned.
When you are certain that you already know what you are supposed to be do, approach the load you would like to pick up slowly. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from you. Carefully drive forward until the forks slide underneath the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to slowly tilt the forks backwards.
You should go slow when you drive around corners. Make sure that you honk the horn found on the steering wheel in order to alert other individuals of the approaching machinery. Slowly approach the area where you will be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is like stopping a motor vehicle. Slowly step on the brake. It is situated on the left of the accelerator.