How to Use a Forklift
Essential machines utilized to move and raise various types of materials and heavy loads are forklifts. This particular material handling machine is utilized every day in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from in warehouses, a building supply business, in storage units and department stores and at airports. When using a forklift, it is important to be completely aware of your surroundings in order 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 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 up and down utilizing the first lever. Pull the lever towards you in order 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.
Prior to picking up loads, use the other two levers and practice first. 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 third lever is used to control the movement of the forks from right to left. This is something which you should get used to. From side to side, they can move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move towards where you want the forks positioned.
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 your body. Carefully drive forward until the forks slide beneath the load. Carefully lift the load by pulling the lever towards your body. 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 place where you will be unloading. Use 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 situated on the left of the accelerator.