How to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are important equipment which are used to transport and lift heavy loads and different materials. This material handling machine is utilized daily in our society. Forklifts are found all around from a building supply company, inside warehouses, at airports and in storage units and department stores. When using a forklift, it is very important to be completely aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
The first step is to power up the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you will use to move an object from one place to another and also to maneuver the item to where it has to be placed.
Secondly, move the forks up and down using the first lever. 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 loading or unloading an item, the forks should ideally be kept near the ground.
Then, practice utilizing the other two levers prior to picking up a load. The second lever is responsible 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 you. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The next thing to get used of is using the 3rd lever to control the forks movement from the right to left. From side to side, they can move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you would like the forks positioned.
When you are certain that you already know what you are supposed to be do, approach the load you want to pick up slowly. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide under the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to tilt the forks backwards slowly.
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. Carefully 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 situated on the left of the accelerator.