How to Utilize a Forklift
Forklifts are important machines which are used to transport and raise bulky loads and various materials. This particular material handling equipment is utilized every day in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from in warehouses, a building supply business, at airports and in storage units and department stores. When utilizing a forklift, it is important to be fully aware of your surroundings in order to be safe.
The first step is to power up the forklift by turning the key. Become familiar with the levers located at the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you will utilize to transport an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the item to where it needs to be placed.
The next step is to utilize the first lever to move the forks down and up. Pull the lever towards you 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 item, the forks should ideally be kept near the ground.
Then, practice using the other two levers prior to picking up a load. The second lever is used 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 movement of the forks from the right to left. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you want the forks positioned.
Once you are familiar, slowly approach the load you want to pick up. In order to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Carefully drive forward 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 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 machine. 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 found to the left of the accelerator.