If your business needs a second hand or used rough terrain forklift for sale, it is of utmost importance to know how to operate it accordingly, but fret not. In this article, we’ll help you discover everything you need to know prior to getting inside this versatile and reliable heavy-duty machine!
Operating a rough terrain forklift, whether it is brand new, second hand and for sale, is not like operating a counterbalance forklift. There are several differences between these two types of machinery, and it is important to be aware of them before you operate any kind of forklift.
A rough terrain forklift has bigger wheels and tires, giving it the ability to traverse off-road conditions such as gravel or potholes with relative ease. It also has larger boxes for storage purposes so more material can be stored on the forks at one time. This type of lift is often preferred in some industries due to its ability to transport excessively large, heavy objects over different surfaces easily while others prefer using a different type of machine.
The basic rules and regulations for operating a rough terrain forklift are as follows:
1) Only pull an empty pallet on the forks, not the entire unit. The whole point of using a rough terrain forklift is to use its superior abilities to transport heavier objects than other machines. Limiting your load only to what it can handle will be much less stressful on your machinery and won’t cause unnecessary strain or friction on specific components such as gears. If you overload your lift, it will become unsafe and inefficient at transporting loads.
2) Do not carry passengers. A rough terrain forklift is designed for loading and unloading objects, not for hauling around people like a counterbalance machine would do. Use one of those machines if you need someone else to drive it. Otherwise, you risk somebody falling off or getting injured by the forklift’s moving parts.
3) Follow all workplace safety regulations. While most of this is common sense, there are some guidelines in place for a reason. These rules are designed to keep everyone safe while operating these types of equipment. Avoid any violations that may be serious enough to cause injury or damage. Nobody wants an accident on their hands, especially involving heavy machinery where injuries can be severe.
Here’s a forklifts information sheet for owners and operators to manage risk when operating one in the workplace.
4) Read the entire owner’s manual before operation. All operators should read over instructions thoroughly before using any kind of machinery in order to have a better idea of how it should be used. This will prevent any accidents or injuries from happening as well as causing less hassle for anyone describing the operation to you.
5) Use all safety systems before operating. Forklifts are equipped with redundant protection devices such as brakes, kill switches, and/or rollover protection bars so be sure to activate them before operating your machine. Brakes serve to stop the vehicle completely while kill switches simply shut off the engine if needed. The rollover bar is designed specifically to keep the lift’s body from tipping past a certain point to avoid injury. Be careful these aren’t activated accidentally by other workers who may use the lift before you do.
6) Pay attention. Anything can happen when you are working with equipment so have everything in order before starting. Make sure no one is in the way or that items are out of place before using anything then stay focused while using a brand new or used rough terrain forklift for sale.
No matter where you’re working, always be on the lookout for anything nearby that could pose a threat such as moving vehicles or nearby workers who need your attention. When in doubt, do not hesitate to ask them to move away from the area until you are finished using the forklift.
7) Watch your load at all times. Whether you’re lifting an object or driving around, always keep a close eye on what is being transported. This will allow you to make any adjustments needed, avoid collisions, and ensure efficiency. It may take some time for everyone to get used to the sight but eventually you’ll know how much space is needed between your load and other objects, which will come in handy especially when transporting different materials over short distances.
8) Lock out the forks when moving them up or down. This will keep them in place while not in use to avoid any accidents. Since the attachments are closest to the ground, there is more of a chance something could get stuck underneath if you’re not careful. It may sound silly, but it will definitely prevent any unnecessary trouble from occurring.
9) Use an “outrigger” before loading heavy objects onto your machine. The outriggers are designed to provide stability for both lifting and transporting items so that no one is at risk of injury or damage being caused by tipping over unexpectedly. Also, always adjust these devices before operating so they can be used precisely how they were intended. If these are damaged, do not attempt to use them until they are properly repaired.
10) The number one rule: Expect the unexpected. Nothing is ever predictable so be prepared to deal with anything that may come up unexpectedly at any time.
Operating a rough terrain forklift is not difficult but it does require some knowledge, skill, and experience before being able to operate one safely. The key is knowing the dos and donts of operating this type of machine as well as following all safety procedures before starting. Even though almost everyone has operated some kind of machinery at least once in their lives, this doesn’t mean they automatically know what they’re doing, especially when it comes to high-risk tasks such as these.
If you have any other questions about how to operate a rough terrain forklift, feel free to contact us today. We provide professional forklift operators for fast, affordable results.