The Proper and Safe Way to Use a Forklift
Important machines used to move and lift various types of supplies and heavy loads are forklifts. This material handling machinery is utilized daily in our society. Forklifts are found all around from inside warehouses, a building supply business, within storage units and department stores and at airports. When using a forklift, it is important to be completely aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
First, you must turn the key to start the forklift. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you will be using to transport an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the item to where it must be placed.
The second step is to utilize the first lever to move the forks down and up. Pull the lever towards you 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 object, the forks should ideally be kept close to the ground.
Prior to picking up loads, utilize the other two levers and practice first. The second lever is utilized for tilting the forks forwards and backwards. In order to tilt the forks forwards, push the lever away from you. 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 utilized to control the fork's movement from right to left. This is something which you should get used to. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move towards where you want the forks placed.
When you are familiar, slowly approach the load you want to pick up. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from you. Carefully drive forward until the forks slide beneath the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards your body. If the load feels top heavy, be certain 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 machinery. Slowly approach the place where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
When you know how to stop a motor vehicle then you know how to stop a forklift. Slowly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.