The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Important machinery utilized to transport and raise different types of materials and bulky loads are forklifts. This particular material handling machine is used every day in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from inside warehouses, a building supply business, at airports and within storage units and department stores. When operating a forklift, it is very important to be completely aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
First, you must turn the key to power up the forklift. 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 thing to where it must be positioned.
Secondly, move the forks up and down utilizing the first lever. Pull the lever towards you to be able 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 near the ground.
Before picking up loads, use 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 you. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the movement of the forks from left to right. 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 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 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 will be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is similar to stopping a motor vehicle. Slightly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.