Got to laugh about wally **** never heard that one before.
Is it slang?
I allways thought it was steering assister....

"You must allways keep a firm grip of the wally ****" lol have to use that one.

The seat and steering wheel on most lift trucks are offset left of center, correct?
The control levers are mounted on the right, leaving the steering wheel on the left, correct?
This offset allows for operator to rotate to the right when backing and keep body parts inside overhead guard supports, correct?
This is not "Rocket science", Let us use common sense.
It would seem to me that the "left" hand is going to be the likely choice to turn the wheel.
It's obvious that in certain situations, using the right hand on the wheel will be necessary, but for normal average operation, left on wheel and right on controls except when backing.
To me it's no more difficult to turn the wheel CW or CCW with the left hand especially if a wheel "****" is installed.

I think a big stick (make that a rubber hose since it will not leave a mark) will solve the trainers obsession with right hand left hand.
Here is what you do, when he takes his left hand off the wally **** hit it as you should never drive a forklift with no hands on the steering wheel.
When he removes his right hand from the wally **** hit it as you should never drive a forklift with no hands.
when your trainer smartens up and decides to do the switch with both hands on the wally **** go ahead and give both his hands a smack as it is not safe to drive a forklift with two hands on that little silver free wheeling wally **** at the same time.

Legal disclaimer -- NO TRAINERS WERE INJURED DURING THIS PRACTICAL TRAINING SCENARIO as this was only a tongue in cheek response to an ill thought out idiosinkracy of a person being paid to train lift truck operators.

Also, if you maintain one hand of the control lever, then it prevents the operator from wrapping his hand around the rear overhead guard post when reversing, and ensures that all body parts remain inside the cab at all times when travelling.

I'm with you and the other replies, as far as I know it's always left hand in forward travel so you can keep a hand on the hydraulis levers. With the right hand gives you no control over hydraulic functions. He may argue you shouldn't lift or lower the forks whilst travelling but surely they should be covered.

I cant see the sence it that bobby think it would make the steering of the truck more complicated think you will have to put him straight bud...

One of our instructors is obsessed with which hand steers the truck.
He reckons if your turning right you MUST steer with the right hand & turning left you MUST steer with the left hand.

Ive been in contact with RTITB ITSSAR & AITT regarding this & as yet im still awaiting a response.

ZZJASEZZ im with you on this,right hand only required when reversing.

As far as my collegue is concerned his way is the absolute correct way......i disagree.

only time you need to use the right hand is when your travelling in reverse doing a turn to the left.

Usually, we ask our students to keep the left hand on the steering wheel and the right on a control lever, usually the first immediate to the operator's right. One hand should always be in close proximity to the control lever in case the forks must be raised (approaching a bump, ramp, etc.) or lowered (entering a building from outside) leaving the left hand for steering the truck.