The forklift is an important piece of equipment in most businesses that operate warehouses, distribution centers, industrial and storage handling plants. This wonder equipment, the lift truck is made of various parts, such as the important carriage, the engine, the power source and the wheels. Lift trucks generally have various kinds of attachments as well. The following are a few of the most essential forklift components.
Engine of the Lift Truck - the lift truck is made with a power source at the rear of the machinery. Various types of forklift truck have different types of engine that require varying power sources. Like for example, a forklift with an IC engine could have as its power source any of the following: LP gas, CNG gas, gasoline or diesel. Electric motor forklifts receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - the base of the forklift truck and the most essential of all the lift truck components is the truck frame. This forms the core of the equipment. All other lift truck parts are connected to the base, like for example the counterweight, overhead guard, wheels, axles and mast. Fuel and hydraulic fluid tanks can also be part of the frame assembly.
Counterweight Forklift Parts - the counterweight is what enables the equipment to be balanced while lifting heavy loads. This component is made of heavy cast iron and is connected to the rear-end of the lift truck. The counterbalance balances the truck frame to prevent it from tipping over when a load is being carried or lifted on the front. The heavy lead-acid battery in an electric forklift provides balance and can work as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - The cab is also referred to as the operator compartment. Forklifts would sometimes have closed cabs whilst others would be open to the air. There are lots of components situated within the cab for operating the forks. The cab has such important components as the switches, levers, steering wheel, operator controls, pedals and seats. The dashboard contains operator readouts.