The Safe and Proper Way to Utilize a Forklift
Important machines used to transport and raise various kinds of materials and bulky loads are forklifts. This material handling equipment is utilized on a daily basis in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from a building supply business, in warehouses, at airports and within storage units and department stores. When utilizing a forklift, it is essential to be completely aware of your surroundings so as 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 will use to move a thing from one place to another and also to maneuver the object 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 in order 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 object, the forks must ideally be kept close to the ground.
Next, 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 you. In order to tilt the forks back, pull the levers towards you. These forks could tilt between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is used to control the fork's movement from left to right. This is something that 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 positioned.
When you are familiar, carefully approach the load you wish to pick up. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from you. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide beneath the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be sure to slightly tilt the forks backwards.
When driving around corners go slow and get into the habit of honking the horn on the steering wheel to be able to alert others of the approaching machine. Slowly approach the area where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
When you know how to stop a car then you know how to stop a forklift. Slowly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.