Lift trucks are important pieces of equipment utilized commonly in business, especially in warehouses, distribution centers, industrial and storage handling facilities. A lift truck is constructed of hundreds of parts, including the carriage, the cab, the power source, the engine and the wheels. Lift trucks generally have different types of attachments as well. The following are a few of the most essential parts of a forklift.
Engine of the Forklift - the forklift truck is made with a power source at the rear of the machine. Different kinds of lift trucks have different types of engine which require varying power sources. For instance, a forklift with an internal combustion engine could have as its power source any of the following: CNG gas, LP gas, diesel or gasoline. Electric motor forklifts receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - The frame of the truck is the base of the lift truck and the most vital of all the forklift parts. This forms the core of the machine. All other forklift components are attached to the base, like for instance the mast, wheels, axles counterweight and overhead guard. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks could be part of the frame assembly too.
Counterweight Forklift Components - the counterweight is what allows the machine to be balanced while lifting heavy loads. This component is made of heavy cast iron and is attached to the backend of the lift truck. The counterbalance balances the frame of the truck 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 provides balance and can work as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - The cab is also known as the operator compartment. Lift trucks would sometimes have closed cabs while others will be open to the air. There are numerous components situated within the cab for operating the forks. The cab contains such important parts as the levers, switches, steering wheel, operator controls, seats and pedals. The dashboard has operator readouts.