The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are essential equipment which are used to transport and lift heavy loads and various supplies. This material handling machine is used every day in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from a building supply business, in warehouses, at airports and within department stores and storage units. When using a forklift, it is important to be fully 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 would be using to transport an object from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it must be placed.
Secondly, move the forks up and down utilizing the first lever. Pull the lever towards you to move the fork up. In order to move the fork down, push the lever away from you. Unless you are loading or unloading an item, the forks must ideally be kept near the ground.
Prior to picking up loads, use the other two levers and practice first. The second lever is used for tilting the forks backwards and forwards. 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 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.
When you are sure that you already know what you are supposed to be do, approach the load you want to pick up carefully. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from you. Carefully drive forward until the forks slide underneath the load. Carefully 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 to be able to alert others of the approaching machine. Carefully approach the area where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is similar to stopping a car. Slowly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.