The laws and forklift industry stress that the hydraulics should not be used unless the forklift is stationery, and whether that means that the truck is in neutral or the parking brake applied, or both, is up to the trainer, company or whomever.

Although I would prefer to see both engaged, I know that in reality, it is not going to happen. Operators do not want to engage in increased effort to apply the parking brake when utilizing the control levers, and I will not be there to babysit them the days following.

I do insist that at least they use their fingers on their left hand to shift the tranny into neutral pior to operating the control levers, especially when they are being tested by me, or lose posnts in the process.

At least that partially immobilizes the forklift, and then I trust that they will continue this practice long after I leave.