Lift trucks are important pieces of equipment used widely in business, particularly in distribution centers, warehouses, industrial and storage handling plants. A forklift 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 too. The following are a few of the most important parts of a lift truck.
Lift Truck Engine - the lift truck is designed with a power source at the back of the machinery. Different types of lift trucks have various types of engine which require varying power sources. For instance, a lift truck 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 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 forklift components. This forms the core of the machine. All other parts of a lift truck are connected to the base, including the overhead guard, counterweight, wheels, axles and mast. Hydraulic fluid and fuel tanks can also be part of the frame assembly.
Counterweight Forklift Components - While lifting heavy cargo, the counterweight allows the equipment to be balanced. This particular component is cast iron and comes connected to the rear of the forklift. 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 could function as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - this area is where the operator sits and drives the equipment. Several lift trucks have a cab area which is open to the air and some have closed cabs. There are a lot of parts situated within the cab for operating the forks. The cab has such important parts as the steering wheel, operator controls, seats, pedals, switches and levers. The dashboard contains operator readouts.