How to Properly Use a Forklift
Lift trucks are material handling machines which can transport cargo. Normally, these machines are used in some industries to move heavy supplies in various settings like supply companies, warehouses and airports. Anyone operating a lift truck has to be trained to utilize the machinery cautiously. It is essential to be fully aware of one's surroundings when operating a forklift. Forklifts are designed to run on propane, gasoline, batteries or diesel. Typical forklifts are popular in a wide array of commercial applications and are not hard to use with correct training. The following steps outline the basics of utilizing a lift truck:
1 Get familiar with all the levers that are utilized to transport and maneuver the load from place to another location. The levers can be found to the right side of the steering wheel.
2 The first lever controls the up and down movement of the forks. Pulling the lever towards your body moves the tines up, and pushing the lever away from your body moves them down. Blades must be kept near the ground except when loading or unloading.
3 The other two levers control the tilt as well as the left/right movement of the forks. The blades are designed to tilt between 15 and 30 degrees. It is better that you practice prior to picking up a load. Utilizing the second lever, push it away from you to tilt the tines forward, and pull it towards you to tilt the forks back.
4 Lever number 4 is utilized to control the forks side to side movement from left to right. Just move the lever in the direction of where you would like the tines to move: left in order to move the forks left, and right to move the forks right.
5 Carefully approach the cargo. Lower the tines and carefully drive forward until the forks slide under the load. After that lift the tines a few centimeters by pulling the lever towards you. If the cargo is top-heavy, you should tilt the tines backwards a small amount for balance.
6 Alert other people and employees when the lift truck is approaching by honking and take safety precautions by slowly taking corners and honking. Approach the area where you would be working carefully. Control the levers to maneuver the load to where it is going. When the cargo is placed, reverse gears and cautiously back away.
7 A lift truck stops the same way as an automobile. The brake is found to the accelerator's left side. Once stopped, put the gear into "park."