Forklift trucks are essential pieces of machinery used commonly in business, especially within distribution centers, warehouses, industrial and storage handling plants. A lift truck is made of hundreds of components, like the cab, the carriage, the power source, the wheels and the engine. Lift trucks generally have various kinds of attachments also. The following are a few of the most essential lift truck parts.
Lift Truck Engine - the lift truck is made with a power source at the rear of the equipment. Different types of lift trucks have different types of engine that require varying power sources. Like for instance, a lift truck with an IC engine could have any of the following as its power source: LP gas, CNG gas, diesel or gasoline. Electric motor forklifts receive their power from a battery or fuel cells.
Truck Frame - the base of the lift truck and the most essential of all the forklift components is the truck frame. This forms the equipment's core. All other parts of a forklift are attached to the base, like for example the overhead guard, counterweight, axles, mast and wheels. Fuel and hydraulic fluid 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 part is made of heavy cast iron and is connected to the backend of the forklift 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 gives balance and could function as part of the counterweight.
The Cab Area - this part is where the operator sits and drives the machinery. Several lift trucks have a cab area which is open to the air and some have closed cabs. There are numerous components situated within the cab for operating the forks. The cab contains such essential parts like the levers, switches, operator controls, steering wheel, pedals and seats. The dashboard has operator readouts.