The forklift is an important piece of machinery in most businesses that operate distribution centers, warehouses, industrial and storage handling plants. This great equipment, the lift truck is made of numerous components, including the important carriage, the engine, the power source and the wheels. Lift trucks normally have different types of attachments as well. The following are several of the most important forklift components.
Engine of the Lift Truck - At the rear of the machinery, the lift truck has its power source. The different types of engine on the lift truck would need varying power sources. Like for example, a forklift with an IC engine could have any of the following as its source of power: diesel, gasoline, LP gas or CNG gas. Electric motor lift trucks receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - the base of the forklift truck and the most important of all the forklift parts is the frame of the truck. This forms the core of the machine. All other components of a lift truck are attached to the base, like the overhead guard, counterweight, mast, wheels and axles. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks could also be part of the frame assembly.
Counterweight Forklift Components - While carrying heavy loads, the counterweight allows the machinery to be balanced. This particular component is cast iron and comes connected to the rear of the forklift. The counterbalance balances the truck frame in order to prevent it from tipping over when a load is being lifted or carried on the front. In an electric lift truck, the heavy lead-acid battery gives balance and can work as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - this area is where the operator sits and drives the machinery. Some forklifts have a cab area which is open to the air and several have closed cabs. There are really numerous parts located in the cab for operating the forks. The cab contains such important parts like the levers, switches, steering wheel, operator controls, pedals and seats. The dashboard has operator readouts.