The Safe and Proper Way to Use a Forklift
Essential machines utilized to move and raise different types of supplies and heavy loads are forklifts. This particular material handling machine is utilized on a daily basis in our society. Forklifts are found anywhere from in warehouses, a building supply company, at airports and in storage units and department stores. When using a forklift, it is very important to be completely aware of your surroundings in order to be safe.
First, you should turn the key to power up the forklift. Become familiar with the levers found to the right of the steering wheel. These levers are what you would be using to move an item from one place to another and also to maneuver the item to where it must be placed.
Secondly, move the forks up and down using the first lever. Pull the lever towards you to be able to move the fork up. In order to move the fork down, push the lever away from your body. Unless you are unloading or loading an item, the forks should ideally be kept near the ground.
Prior to picking up loads, utilize the other two levers and practice first. The second lever is responsible for tilting the forks backwards and forwards. In order to tilt the forks forwards, push the lever away from you. In order to tilt the forks back, pull the levers towards you. These forks are capable of tilting between 15 and 30 degrees.
The third lever is utilized to control the movement of the forks from left to right. This is something that you must get used to. From side to side, they could move between 6 and 12 inches. The levers move in the direction of where you want the forks placed.
Once you are familiar, slowly approach the load you want to pick up. To be able to lower the forks, push the first lever away from your body. Drive forward carefully until the forks slide underneath the load. Carefully lift the load by pulling the lever towards your body. If the load feels top heavy, be certain to slowly tilt the forks backwards.
You must go slow when you drive around corners. Make certain that you honk the horn situated on the steering wheel in order to alert other people of the approaching machine. Carefully approach the area where you would be unloading. Use the levers to maneuver the load to your final destination.
When you know how to stop a car then you know how to stop a forklift. Slightly step on the brake. It is located on the left of the accelerator.