Forklift Controls
One of the most common kinds of equipment you will see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These versatile equipment are comprised of a vehicle together with two split forks at the front which can transport and lift heavy things.
The regular forklift is designed to work and move in small spaces and can carry things to and from high up places. Lift trucks are still extremely dangerous machinery and should be operated in a safe way at all times, after correct training and certification has taken place.
Make the time to read the owners guidebook after acquiring a new forklift to help you familiarize yourself with the controls. The handbook would feature the specific location of each control and the functions it has. Most lift trucks have two levers that control the forks. The first lever controls the height of the fork. In order to make the forks go down, you push the lever forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
There is another lever which controls the forks tilt. This tilting capability enables for better weight distribution. This tilting action helps to keep objects stable and won't allow things to fall off while driving. Furthermore, it helps things slide off while unloading in a more balanced way.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks will tilt back, while pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Some types of forklifts are equipped with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Every one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Before using the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a trained colleague. Be certain to do this when the forklift is off and not operational. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions regarding how anything works.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that in order to make the equipment go, you utilize the gas. And if you would like to make it stop, you simply release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these types of forklifts. There are some hydrostatic models that 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.