attempting to operate the forklift on your own. Basiceducation in safe operation and load-handlingtechniques is absolutely necessary to prepare you forproper operation and enables you to anticipate theunexpected.NOTE: A forklift is only as safe as its operator.Only authorized, properly trained licensed personnelare permitted to operate it.Pallets and BoxesMost of the loads that you will handle are on palletsor in boxes. A standard pallet is 40 inches by 48 inches,as shown in figure 8-20. Mount-out boxes are in alldifferent sizes; however, they have stringers like pallets.LIFTING.— The technique for lifting a pallet is asfollows:1. Position the forklift squarely in front of the loadand raise the forks to the proper level, halfway betweenthe top and bottom boards of the pallet.2. Slowly insert the forks into the pallet until theload rests against the fork faces. If the mast is not in avertical position, the forks may hang up in the palletwhen they are inserted.NOTE: If the pallet or load is against a wall orobstruction and the forks are longer than the pallet, youwill have to pick up the pallet and back up the forkliftuntil there is enough room to reposition the forksentirely under the pallet.3. Lift the load just enough to clear the floor (orstack beneath the load being removed). Then tilt themast or forks back enough to cradle the load. The loadshould always be carried as low as possible formaximum stability and vision.Figure 8-20.—40– by 48-inch pallet.WARNINGOverloading a forklift is strictly pro-hibited. The forklift can safely lift and carryno more than its rated capacity. Among thedangers of overloading are injury to theoperator, damage to the cargo, and damage tothe pump and lift mechanism. Additionally,overloading causes wear on the tires, engine,or electric motor.Also, a forklift will tipforward if the load on the forks exceeds thelift capacity of the forklift. The manufacturerhas established the forklift rating (expressedin pounds of load on the fork) and theallowable distance in inches from the heel ofthe forks to the center of gravity of the load.This distance is known as the load center.CARRYING.— Carrying material with a forklift tomove it from one location to another requires skill andconcentration. The techniques for carrying loads with aforklift are as follows:1. Tilt the mast as far back as the load will permitwhen carrying a load, and raise the load only highenough to clear obstructions. Always change speedgradually, as sudden starts and stops will cause the loadto shift. Gradual starts and stops also prevent rapid wearof equipment components.2. Always know the ground clearance of yourforklift truck and the surface you are traveling on.NOTE: If the load is so bulky that your vision isobstructed, drive in reverse. Extra care must be takenwhen driving in reverse, because the operator does nothave a constant view of the load; therefore, a backingguide is usually needed.3. You should ascend and descend a grade with theload pointing upgrade when operating a loaded forklifton an incline (fig. 8-21). Normally, direction of travelshould be determined by what direction the operator cansee best. This is why forklifts are built with reverse aswell as forward travel. But, on grades of 10 percent ormore, both forklift and load stability demand that theload be kept upgrade.4. Handle each load within the rated capacity of theforklift. The rated capacity is the weight the forkliftcan handle safely. The forklift data plate rating indicatesthe maximum safe load that can be lifted. Thismaximum rating should never be exceeded; however,there are conditions requiring a load less than the ratedcapacity. The data plate rating does apply for weak8-10
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