Forklift Controls
In any warehouse setting, among the most common machinery is a lift truck or forklift. These versatile machines consist of a vehicle together with two split forks at the front which are capable of transporting and carrying bulky things.
The standard lift truck is built to function and move in small spaces and could carry items to and from high up places. Lift trucks are still very dangerous machines and should be operated safely at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a lift truck, make time to read the owner's handbook and be familiar with the controls. Be certain to take note of the location of every particular 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 simply 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 objects stable and won't allow objects to fall off when driving. Additionally, it helps things slide off when unloading in a more balanced method.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks would tilt back, when pushing the lever forward will tilt the forks forward. Some forklift models are outfitted with a third lever which controls the width of the forks. Each one of these levers is situated just to the right of the operator's seat.
Inexperienced operators must take advantage of experienced coworkers who could go over the controls with them. Be sure to do this while the forklift is turned off and not in use. Ask the trained expert if you have any questions about how something functions.
Watch how the coworker shows 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 machine go, you use the gas. And if you want to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of lift trucks. There are some hydrostatic models that 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.