Lift trucks are important pieces of machinery used commonly in business, particularly within distribution centers, warehouses, industrial and storage handling facilities. A forklift truck is made of hundreds of parts, including the carriage, the cab, the power source, the engine and the wheels. Forklifts generally have various kinds of attachments as well. The following are some of the most important components of a lift truck.
Forklift Engine - the lift truck is designed with a power source at the back of the machinery. Various kinds of forklift truck have various kinds of engine that require varying power sources. Like for instance, a forklift with an IC engine could have any of the following as its power source: gasoline, diesel, CNG gas or LP gas. Electric motor lift trucks receive their power from fuel cells or a battery.
Truck Frame - the base of the forklift truck and the most important of all the lift truck components is the frame of the truck. This forms the core of the equipment. All other parts of a forklift are connected to the base, like the axles, mast, wheels overhead guard and counterweight. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks can also be part of the frame assembly.
Counterweight Lift Truck Components - the counterweight is what allows the machinery to be balanced while lifting heavy cargo. This component is made of heavy cast iron and is attached to the backend of the forklift truck. The counterbalance balances the frame of the truck to prevent it from tipping over when a load is being carried or lifted on the front. In an electric forklift, 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 whilst others will be open to the air. There are a lot of parts located in the cab for operating the forks. The cab has such essential components as the operator controls, steering wheel, pedals, seats, switches and levers. The dashboard has operator readouts.