The Proper and Safe Way to Utilize a Forklift
Forklifts are important machines which are utilized to move and lift heavy loads and various materials. This material handling equipment is used daily in our society. Forklifts are found all over from a building supply business, inside warehouses, at airports and within department stores and storage units. When utilizing a forklift, it is really essential to be fully 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 will be using to transport a thing from one place to another and also to maneuver the object to where it has to be positioned.
The next step is to utilize the first lever to move the forks down and up. Pull the lever towards you to move the fork up. In order to move the fork down, push the lever away from you. Unless you are loading or unloading an item, the forks must ideally be kept near the ground.
Before picking up loads, utilize 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 your body. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The next thing to get used of is using the 3rd lever to control the forks movement from the left to right. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you want the forks positioned.
Once you are familiar, carefully approach the load you want to pick up. In order to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide underneath the load. Slightly lift the load by pulling the lever towards you. If the load feels top heavy, be certain 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 in order to alert others of the approaching machine. Slowly approach the area where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is similar to stopping a motor vehicle. Slowly step on the brake. It is located on the left of the accelerator.