Forklift Controls
One of the most common types of equipment you would see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These all-around machines consist of a vehicle with two split forks at the front that could haul and lift bulky objects.
Forklifts could maneuver in small spaces and could lift things into hard to reach, up high places. Lift trucks are still really dangerous equipment and have to be operated safely all the time, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, take time to read the owner's guidebook and familiarize yourself with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of every specific control and what particular feature it functions. Nearly all 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 tilt of the forks. This tilting capability allows for better distribution of weight. This tilting action helps to keep items stable and won't allow things to fall off when driving. Additionally, it helps things slide off while unloading in a more balanced way.
In order to tilt the forks back, you pull the lever back and to be able to tilt the forks forward, you simply push the lever forward. Several 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 operator's seat.
Inexperienced drivers must take advantage of qualified coworkers who can go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this when the forklift is turned off and not operational. Ask the qualified expert if you have any questions regarding how something works.
Observation is often the best method to learn new forklift skills. So make time to observe a coworker showing the function of every control. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that to be able to make the machinery 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 types of lift trucks. There are several hydrostatic models which are equipped with battery powered engines which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.