Forklift Controls
One of the most common pieces of machines you would see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around machines are comprised of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which are capable of hauling and lifting heavy things.
Forklifts can maneuver in small spaces and can lift items into hard to reach, up high places. Lift trucks are still extremely dangerous equipment and need to be utilized safely all the time, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's manual and be familiar with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of each specific control and what particular feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
The forklift's second lever is used to tilt the forks allowing for better distribution of weight across the forklift. This tilting action helps to keep things steady and won't allow objects to fall off when driving. In addition, it helps items slide off while unloading in a more balanced way.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks would tilt back, when pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Various forklift models are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Inexperienced drivers must take advantage of qualified coworkers who could go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this when the forklift is turned off and not being utilized. Ask the qualified expert if you have any questions about how anything works.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is often the best method to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that to be able to make the equipment go, you utilize the gas. And if you want to make it stop, you simply release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of forklifts. There are several kinds of hydrostatic forklifts which are equipped with battery powered engines that turn off when the gas pedal is released. They start up when the gas pedal is pushed again.