Lift trucks are important pieces of machines utilized widely in business, especially in warehouses, distribution centers, storage handling and industrial facilities. A lift truck is made of hundreds of parts, including the carriage, the cab, the power source, the engine and the wheels. Lift trucks normally have a range of attachments also. The following are several of the most essential components of a lift truck.
Engine of the Lift Truck - the forklift truck is made with a power source at the rear of the machine. Different kinds of lift trucks have various kinds of engine which require varying power sources. For instance, a forklift with an internal combustion engine can have as its power source any of the following: gasoline, diesel, CNG gas or LP gas. Electric motor lift trucks receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - The frame of the truck is the base of the forklift and the most essential of all the lift truck parts. This forms the core of the machinery. All other components of a lift truck are connected to the base, like the counterweight, overhead guard, wheels, axles and mast. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks could also be part of the frame assembly.
Counterweight Forklift Components - the counterweight is what allows the machinery to be balanced while carrying heavy loads. This component is made of heavy cast iron and is attached to the backend of the forklift truck. The counterbalance balances the truck frame 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 gives balance and may work as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - this part is where the operator sits and drives the equipment. Several forklifts have a cab area that is open to the air and several have closed cabs. There are really many components situated in the cab for operating the forks. The cab contains such essential parts as the switches, levers, operator controls, steering wheel, pedals and seats. The dashboard contains operator readouts.