Lift trucks are important pieces of machinery used widely in business, especially within distribution centers, warehouses, storage handling and industrial plants. A lift truck is constructed of hundreds of components, including the cab, the carriage, the power source, the engine and the wheels. Forklifts generally have a range of attachments too. The following are several of the most important lift truck parts.
Forklift Engine - At the rear of the machine, the forklift has its power source. The different kinds of engine on the lift truck will require varying power sources. For example, a lift truck with an IC engine can have as its power source any of the following: diesel, gasoline, CNG gas or LP gas. Electric motor lift trucks receive their power from fuel cells or a battery.
Frame of The Truck - The truck frame is the base of the forklift and the most important of all the lift truck parts. This forms the core of the equipment. All other forklift components are connected to the base, like for instance the wheels, axles, mast overhead guard and counterweight. Fuel and hydraulic fluid tanks may be part of the frame assembly too.
Counterweight Forklift Components - the counterweight is what enables the machinery to be balanced while lifting heavy loads. This component is made of heavy cast iron and is connected to the backend of the lift truck. The counterbalance balances the truck frame so as to prevent it from tipping over when a load is being carried or lifted on the front. In an electric lift truck, the heavy lead-acid battery gives balance and may function as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - The cab is also known as the operator compartment. Forklifts will sometimes have closed cabs whilst others will be open to the air. There are really a lot of components situated within the cab for operating the forks. The cab has such important parts like the operator controls, steering wheel, seats, pedals, levers and switches. The dashboard contains operator readouts.