Forklift Controls
Amongst the most common pieces of machines you would see in any warehouse is a forklift. These versatile machinery consist of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which could move and carry bulky objects.
Forklifts are able to maneuver in small spaces and can lift objects into hard to reach, up high places. Forklifts are still really dangerous machines and must be operated safely at all times, after correct training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's handbook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of every specific control and what particular feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, the lever should be pushed forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is another lever that controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability enables for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep things stable and won't allow objects to fall off while driving. In addition, it helps items slide off while unloading in a more balanced method.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, while pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Various forklift models are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Every one of these levers is situated just to the right of the driver's seat.
Prior to utilizing the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a trained coworker. Be sure to do this while the forklift is off and not operational. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions regarding how anything works.
Observation is often the best method to learn new forklift skills. So make time to observe a coworker showing the function of every control. On hydrostatic forklifts, notice that to be able to make the machinery 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 types of forklifts. There are some types of hydrostatic forklifts that are complete with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.