Forklift Machine

Counterbalance forklifts operate much like a crane does. The name comes from the weight on the back end of the vehicle that acts as a counterweight for any loads picked up with the front forks. This balancing method allows the machine to pick up and move heavier loads than if the weight wasn’t there.

A side loader forklift is different from other forklifts because the forks are at the side of the cab, not the front. These machines are perfect for narrow aisles or for lifting loads that aren’t as straightforward as a pallet.

The most standard type of forklift that most people think about, the warehouse forklift resembled a John Deere Gator cab with a hydraulic forklift on the front. They are mainly used for lifting and moving pallets of materials within a warehouse setting.

An industrial forklift is also called a large-capacity forklift. The payloads and lifting capacity of an industrial forklift is much higher than a warehouse forklift. They can lift more weight much higher than other forklifts. For this reason, the industrial forklift is often described as a mix between a telehandler and a warehouse forklift.

The mast, sometimes referred to as the ‘upright’, is the vertical support that raises and lowers the load. Hydraulic pistons help move the carriage which is connected to the mast. The mast is located in the front of the forklift and directly in the operator’s line of vision.

The carriage is a support structure where the forks attach or mount. It is a platform in front of the mast used to mount objects to be controlled by the mast. This includes anything that comes in direct contact with the load, including the forks and the back rest.

The back rest protects the mast cylinder’s hoses and prevents items from falling through the mast and hitting the operator. It is attached to the carriage and prevents the load from shifting backwards.

The forks are used to make direct contact with a load for transport. They are attached to the carriage and are designed to carry a load from the bottom. Forks come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of loads.

The lift cylinder powers the raising or lowering of the carriage and the forks. The lift cylinder is often hydraulically powered and only pushed in one direction.

The space in the lift where the operator sits. This can be enclosed or open depending on the needed application.

The overhead guard is the forklift’s framework or roof. The overhead guard is a critical safety feature because it protects the operator in case something falls onto the cab.

The tilt cylinder is similar to the lift cylinder, however it controls the tilt movement of the carriage and the angle of the forks relative to the ground. Simply put, the tilt cylinder controls the amount by which the forklift may tilt beyond the vertical position, forward, or backward.

The drive wheels are typically the wheels located in the front. These are responsible for moving the machine.

The steering wheels are located in the back of the lift and are usually smaller than the drive wheels. They help steer which direction the forklift goes.

This is the weight installed onto the equipment to help offset the load. This helps keep the machine stable while lifting and traveling. Forklifts are designed with maximum carrying capacities using the counterweight for balance, so it is important you never exceed that capacity.

The rating plate contains information about the maximum load capacity a forklift can carry. Make sure you know your equipment’s load capacity to ensure safe operation.