The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Forklifts are essential machinery that are utilized to transport and lift bulky loads and different supplies. This particular material handling machine is used every day in our society. Forklifts are found everywhere from a building supply company, inside warehouses, in storage units and department stores and at airports. When using a forklift, it is really important to be fully aware of your surroundings so as to be safe.
First, you must 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 will utilize to move an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the thing to where it must be placed.
Secondly, move the forks down and up using the first lever. Pull the lever towards you in order to move the fork up. To be able to move the fork down, push the lever away from you. Unless you are loading or unloading an item, the forks should ideally be kept near the ground.
Prior to picking up loads, use 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 your body. 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 utilizing the 3rd lever to control the forks movement from the right to left. From side to side, they can move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move towards where you would like the forks placed.
When you are familiar, carefully approach the load you want to pick up. 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 slowly tilt the forks backwards.
When driving around corners go slow and get into the habit of honking the horn on the steering wheel to be able to alert others of the approaching equipment. Carefully approach the place where you would be unloading. Utilize the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
Stopping the forklift is like stopping a motor vehicle. Slowly step on the brake. It is situated on the left of the accelerator.