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a vertical position when picking up or lowering
a load. It is tilted back toward the operator when
transporting a load to give it greater stability.
When using the forklift truck there are some
safety precautions listed below that you must
follow:
Pallet
Prominently stencil the load capacity on
the forklift to remind operators not to
overload.
Do not bump or push stacks to straighten
them.
Do not load while the forklift is moving.
Tilt mast back when transporting a load.
Drive forward when transporting a load
up a ramp and in reverse when going
down.
When parking and leaving a truck, be sure
the motor is turned off and the parking
brake is set.
Trucks
Pallet trucks serve a useful purpose in picking
up and transporting palletized loads. They are
especially good where space is limited and where
handling operations are too small for forklift
trucks.
The pallet truck frame consists of a fork that
fits between the top and the bottom decks of a
Figure 4-6.—Battery-power pallet truck.
pallet and supports the load on the entire
wheelbase. Pallet trucks may be self-propelled
using a battery-electric motor or may be manually
propelled. The lift mechanism is hydraulic and
may be either electric powered or manual. The
use of the pallet truck is limited since it requires
a smooth deck because of the small wheels and
it does not have the lift capability of the
forklift for stacking operations. A battery-electric
powered pallet truck is shown in figure 4-6.
Hand Trucks
Hand trucks are perhaps the most versatile of
all materials-handling equipment. They may have
either two or four wheels. The two-wheel type is
shown in figure 4-7. They range in size and weight
from 45 to 155 pounds with carrying capacities
up to 2,000 pounds.
To operate a hand truck after it is loaded, you
place a foot on the axle and pull down on the
handles. Most of the weight is then balanced on
the wheels and axle and you can push the load
easily. The hand truck may also be used as a pry
or lever. By pushing the lip under a heavy object,
it is possible to raise it several inches off the deck.
Conveyors
Conveyors are used for moving supplies in a
fixed line of travel. Two basic types of conveyors
have been adopted as standard for the military
department. The first is the gravity-type roller or
Figure 4-7.—Two-wheeled warehouse hand truck.
4-9
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