Forklift Controls
One of the most common types of machines you would see inside any warehouse is a forklift. These versatile machinery consist of a vehicle with two pronged forks at the front which can move and lift heavy things.
The regular lift truck is designed to work and move in small spaces and is able to lift items to and from high up places. Lift trucks are still really dangerous machinery and must be operated safely at all times, after proper training and certification has taken place.
When new to a forklift, make time to read the owner's instruction manual and be familiar with the controls. Be sure to take note of the location of each particular control and what specific feature it functions. Nearly all lift trucks have two levers which control the forks. The first lever controls the fork height. In order to make the forks go down, the lever must be pushed forward. To be able to move the forks upwards, you just pull back on the lever.
The forklift's second lever is utilized to tilt the forks allowing for better distribution of weight across the forklift. This tilting action helps to keep items stable and won't allow objects to fall off while driving. Additionally, it helps items slide off in a more balanced method when unloading.
By pulling the second lever back, the forks would tilt back, while pushing the lever forward would tilt the forks forward. Some kinds of forklifts are outfitted with a third lever that controls the fork width. Each one of these levers is located just to the right of the driver's seat.
Prior to using the forklift, sit inside of it and go over what the controls do with a qualified colleague. Be sure to do this when the forklift is turned off and not being used. Ask the qualified professional if you have any questions about how anything functions.
Watch how the coworker demonstrates the function of each of the controls. Observation is normally the best way to learn a new skill. On hydrostatic lift trucks, notice that to be able to make the machine go, you utilize the gas. And if you want to make it stop, you just release the gas pedal. There is no brake on these kinds of forklifts. There are some types of hydrostatic forklifts which are outfitted with battery powered engines which shut off when the gas pedal is released. They start up once the gas pedal is pushed again.