How to Operate a Forklift

Forklifts don’t go very fast. In fact, the fastest forklifts are allowed to go is only eight miles per hour. Most travel about half that fast on the job. However, forklifts are heavy machines. Plus, they’re designed to carry a lot of weight from one place to another. In serious accidents, they can cause severe injuries and even fatalities to forklift workers. That’s why it is so important to have forklift training and certification before operating a forklift. Part of that training involves knowing what all the forklift controls are for and how to use them.

Forklift controls can vary depending on the type of truck. That’s why OSHA requires workers to get trained on the specific model they will operate. It’s also a good idea to study the owner’s manual before operating a forklift. This will help to understand where the controls are located and how each one on the forklift control panel works.

Basic Forklift Controls

Most forklifts have the following types of controls:

– Hydraulic lift knobs. These knobs control how the forks are used when lifting, lowering and carrying loads. One knob lifts the forks up or down. Another one tilts the forks up or down at a slight angle. This is used to load the pallets more securely. The third knob is used to move the load from side to side. Some forklifts come with a knob that allows the operator to vary the width of the forks.

Some forklift hydraulics are controlled with levers that manipulate the hydraulic valves. Others use electronic actuators that are controlled with smaller levers. These smaller levers give forklift designers more leeway in creating ergonomic designs. Regardless of how the hydraulics are controlled, always inspect the controls before starting a job.

– Mast tilt. In addition to raising and lowering the forks, hydraulics also allow the operator to tilt the mast. This can prevent loads from slipping off the forks by compensating for their tendency to angle the forks downward. Tilt can also help when operating a forklift on ground that isn’t level.

– Directional controls. Unlike cars, forklifts only have three gears: forward, reverse and neutral. These controls can be mounted on the steering column or operated by foot. Foot control is done by shifting the accelerator pedal from side to side.

– Accelerator pedal. This performs the same function as the gas pedal on a car. Press down and the speed and acceleration increase. Take the pressure off and they decrease.

– Brake pedal. This, too, works just like a car. Press down to slow or stop the forklift. Lifting your foot off the pedal allows the truck to begin moving again.

– Clutch pedal. Some internal combustion (fossil fuel) forklifts come with a clutch pedal, which is part of the forklift speed control system. This pedal allows the operator to accelerate more by shifting into a higher gear. These forklifts are typically used in outdoor work sites with rough or difficult terrain.

– Inching pedal. You won’t find this pedal in a car. In a forklift, it is used to make very slow, small movements to position the truck for lifting. It is also used to maneuver safely in narrow aisles and tight spaces. The pedal is usually operated by the left foot.

– Parking brake. As the name implies, the parking brake holds the forklift in place when it is not being driven. When parking the truck on an incline, always engage the parking brake and block the wheel.

Differences with Hydrostatic Forklifts

Hydrostatic forklifts offer a good example of why workers need to get trained on the type of truck they will use. This forklift does not use a mechanical powertrain to power the wheels. Instead, the engine circulates hydraulic fluid to provide the power. This allows for smoother acceleration and more precise movement. It also allows the engine to operate at lower RPMs, thereby saving on fuel costs and reducing wear and tear.

Accelerating a hydrostatic forklift is achieved by pushing down on the pedal. The more you press down, the faster the forklift goes. Stopping the truck only requires releasing the accelerator pedal. Unlike other forklifts, the hydrostatic model has no brake pedal.

Some hydrostatic forklifts also have a different forklift speed control system. This consists of two accelerator pedals that act like directional controls. One pedal moves the truck forward. The other one moves it in reverse. The operator uses only one foot, shifting from one pedal to the other as needed.

Know Your Forklift Instruments

In addition to controls, forklifts also have many instruments on the dashboard. These use warning alights and gauges to provide important information about the status of forklift components.

– Instrument panel. The panel contains graphic displays that signal safe or unsafe operating conditions.

– Oil pressure gauge. Indicates the oil pressure inside the engine. Some forklifts have an oil pressure warning light to indicate that immediate action is required.

– Temperature gauge/light. This works like the temperature gauge on a car dashboard. Some forklifts use a “C” for cold and “H” for hot. Others use the color green to indicate safe operating temperature and red for overheating.

– Transmission temperature. This indicates when the temperature inside the transmission is too high.

-Fuel gauge. Shows the amount of fuel left in gasoline, diesel, or propane forklift tanks

– Hour meter. This digital meter records the number of hours the truck has been used. Many companies schedule maintenance by hours of use, so always record the hours in your daily inspection log.

– Battery discharge indicator. Indicates when the battery on electric forklifts is low. This can be displayed in the form of a warning light, percentage indicator, or needle in the warning zone.

Read the operator’s manual to learn about these instruments. Never operate your forklift if a warning light or gauge indicates an unsafe condition.

Standup Forklift Controls

Operating a standup forklift is very different than standard sit-down models. The controls are different, as is the way workers pick and move loads. A control handle and gas pedal is used to move the truck forward and backward. Moving the handle forward propels the forklift forward. Pulling back on the handle moves it in reverse. Stopping the forklift requires taking your foot off the pedal and moving the handle back to the neutral position. A controlling handle is used to turn the truck.

Buttons on the handle control the fork. The top button extends the forks into the load to be lifted. The button on the left raises the load. The button on the right lowers the load. The bottom button withdraws the forks. If you’re used to working on sit-down forklifts, take time to get familiar with standup forklift controls before operating the truck.

Don’t Put Off Forklift Training

Forklift manufacturers work hard to build trucks that are safe to operate. Yet, nothing reduces accidents and injuries on the job like training and certification. That’s why OSHA requires anyone who operates a truck to have forklift certification.  It makes the workplace safer. It can also prevent you from paying costly penalties due to accidents caused by uncertified workers.

At Forkiftcertification.com, we make it quick and easy to get every forklift operator on your team trained, certified and ready to go. Call us today at (888) 278-8896 for forklift training that is fast, affordable and guaranteed!