The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Important equipment used to transport and lift various types of materials and bulky loads are forklifts. This material handling machine is utilized every day in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from a building supply business, inside warehouses, in department stores and storage units and at airports. When operating a forklift, it is important to be completely aware of your surroundings in order to be safe.
The first step is to start the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you would be using to transport an object from one place to another and also to maneuver the item to where it must be placed.
The next step is to use the first lever to move the forks up and down. Pull the lever towards you to be able to move the fork up. In order to move the fork down, push the lever away from your body. Unless you are loading or unloading an object, the forks must ideally be kept close to the ground.
Then, practice using 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 your body. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is used to control the fork's movement 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 towards where you would like the forks placed.
Once you are familiar, carefully approach the load you wish to pick up. In order 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 you. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to slowly tilt the forks backwards.
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 equipment. Carefully approach the place 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.