The Proper and Safe Way to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are important machinery that are utilized to transport and lift heavy loads and various materials. This particular material handling machinery is used daily in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from a building supply business, inside warehouses, within storage units and department stores and at airports. When operating a forklift, it is very important to be completely aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
First, you should turn the key to start the forklift. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you would be using to move an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it should be placed.
Secondly, move the forks down and up 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 your body. Unless you are unloading or loading 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 responsible 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 you. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is used to control the movement of the forks from left to right. This is something which you must 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.
When you are familiar, slowly approach the load you wish to pick up. 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 your body. If the load feels top heavy, be certain to slowly tilt the forks backwards.
You should go slow when you drive around corners. Make certain that you honk the horn located on the steering wheel so as to alert other people of the approaching machine. Carefully approach the place where you will 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 situated on the left of the accelerator.