The Proper and Safe Way to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are essential equipment which are utilized to transport and lift bulky loads and various supplies. This material handling equipment is utilized on a daily basis in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from a building supply business, in warehouses, at airports and in storage units and department stores. When using a forklift, it is 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 use to transport a thing from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it needs to be placed.
Secondly, move the forks down and up utilizing the first lever. Pull the lever towards you to be able 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 object, 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 utilized 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 your body. These forks can tilt between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the fork's movement from right to left. This is something which you should get used to. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you would like the forks placed.
When you are sure that you already know what you are supposed to be do, approach the load you want to pick up slowly. In order to lower the forks, push the first lever away from you. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide under the load. Carefully lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be certain to tilt the forks backwards slightly.
You must go slow when you drive around corners. Make sure that you honk the horn located on the steering wheel in order to alert other individuals of the approaching equipment. Carefully approach the area where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
When you know how to stop a motor vehicle then you know how to stop a forklift. Slightly step on the brake. It is found to the left of the accelerator.