The lift truck is an essential piece of machinery in most companies which operate warehouses, distribution centers, industrial and storage handling plants. This great machine, the lift truck is made of numerous components, such as the important carriage, the engine, the power source and the wheels. Lift trucks usually have various kinds of attachments too. The following are several of the most essential lift truck components.
Lift Truck Engine - At the rear of the equipment, the lift truck has its power source. The various kinds of engine on the forklift will require varying power sources. Like for example, a forklift with an IC engine can have any of the following as its source of power: diesel, gasoline, CNG gas or LP gas. Electric motor lift trucks receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - The truck frame is the base of the lift truck and the most important of all the forklift components. This forms the core of the machinery. All other components of a lift truck are attached to the base, like for example the counterweight, overhead guard, axles, mast and wheels. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks can be part of the frame assembly as well.
Counterweight Forklift Parts - While lifting heavy cargo, the counterweight allows the equipment to be balanced. This particular component is cast iron and comes connected to the back of the forklift. The counterbalance balances the truck frame in order 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 would be open to the air. There are really numerous parts located in the cab for operating the forks. The cab has such important components as the switches, levers, operator controls, steering wheel, pedals and seats. The dashboard contains operator readouts.