Forklift Controls
In any warehouse environment, one of the most common equipments is a forklift or lift truck. These all-around equipment are comprised of a vehicle along with two pronged forks at the front which could move and carry heavy things.
The regular lift truck is designed to function and move in small spaces and can lift objects to and from high up places. Forklifts are still really dangerous machinery and have to be operated safely at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a lift truck, take time to read the owner's manual and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each specific control and what particular 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, you push the lever forward. To move the forks upwards, you simply pull back on the lever.
There is a second lever which 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 things to fall off while driving. In addition, it helps items slide off in a more balanced method when unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, while pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Several forklift models are equipped with a third lever that controls the fork width. Each one of these levers is located 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 turned off and not being utilized. Ask the qualified expert if you have any questions about how anything works.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is usually the best way to learn a new skill. 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 simply release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of lift trucks. There are several hydrostatic models which are complete with battery powered engines that shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.