• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Forklift driving skills

aighead

aighead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
3,419
Location
Dayton, OH
Hmm, is this inside, like warehouse, forklifting, or outside forklifting? I know in the warehouse I was in charge of for a bit we'd train in-house. I think, regardless, toss some pallets on the ground and just practice getting in them, lifting them safely and moving them around, empty pallets add a bit of challenge because they are light and you'll move them easily unless you do it just right. Also, it's good to get used to being extremely close to things without hitting them. The back wheel steering takes a bit of getting used to so maybe just drive around too. Forklift driving (I have a lot of experience on small forklifts) is a lot of fun, can be quite stressful, and makes you think. It never hurts to toss a long load on the forks to see how to negotiate your way around things as well. Take your time as you learn, you'll be surprised how quickly it can be picked up but slow and steady will keep you and others safe, as long as you are paying lots of attention.
 
O

Old Doug

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
5,574
Location
Mo
crane operator said:
I like to raise the mast up while inside a van trailer. And then drive. Or back up. Either way I get the afternoon off to go take whiz quiz.
Click to expand...
About every company i worked for you had to go through a forklift school. The last one there was a guy that had failed the whiz test but they hired him back 6 months later. They had set up a obstacle course to drive through then to back through . This guy had the lift about wide open and never hit a thing. We were all amazed. The next random he got picked and failed.
 
_Weldman_

_Weldman_

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2018
Messages
8,688
Location
.
I was so good at it at one time by the time the tines got halfway into the pallet around few mph's I slam it into reverse with inertia still pushing forward getting tines all the way in spinning tires backwards, lifting it up and off I went. Or I never stopped, just scooped up the pallet and make a run for it. Was like ice skating with it, yeah I was that guy drifting the forklift around corners and such on wet days.
 
aighead

aighead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
3,419
Location
Dayton, OH
A word of warning if I didn't mention it above and after reading all the other comments...

Its easy to get very complacent after driving a forklift for a short period of time. Things like crane op and Spud mention while, fun, funny, and possible can also kill people, including you. After only operating for a month or so I felt great on a forklift but I was fortunate to keep that in mind and remember to slow down and pay attention. It takes very little time to eff up bad and ruin or break a lot of stuff. This is especially, especially true in a warehouse environment. Go look up some warehouse collapse videos if you doubt what I say.

We had a guy that had his mast up literally 1 inch too high as he went through a doorway, that was meant for the mast to be down all the way, and he ended up knocking about 50' of wall out of whack where it could have literally collapsed on people working nearby. It can get very ugly very quickly.
 
D

Dentistry At Sheppard

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2022
Messages
10
Location
North York, Ontario
aighead said:
A word of warning if I didn't mention it above and after reading all the other comments...

Its easy to get very complacent after driving a forklift for a short period of time. Things like crane op and Spud mention while, fun, funny, and possible can also kill people, including you. After only operating for a month or so I felt great on a forklift but I was fortunate to keep that in mind and remember to slow down and pay attention. It takes very little time to eff up bad and ruin or break a lot of stuff. This is especially, especially true in a warehouse environment. Go look up some warehouse collapse videos if you doubt what I say.

We had a guy that had his mast up literally 1 inch too high as he went through a doorway, that was meant for the mast to be down all the way, and he ended up knocking about 50' of wall out of whack where it could have literally collapsed on people working nearby. It can get very ugly very quickly.
Click to expand...


Ok! I really like this concept of taking it slow. It is a compulsory trait for usual beginner drivers (or machine operators) everywhere. Thanks a tonne for sharing your experiences!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top