Lift Truck Components in More Detail
There are numerous components that make up a forklift. The lift truck's major parts consist of the frame of the truck, the engine components, the tilt cylinders, the overhead guard and the wheels. Moreover, a lift truck consists of a range of attachments. All the components that make up a forklift are of equal importance as they work together to make the operation of the machine possible. The next paragraphs describe in detail several of the lift truck components.
The Overhead Guard - The overhead guard is actually the lift truck's metal roof, which sits atop the operator cab. It's job is to protect the operator whilst they are utilizing the machinery. The overhead guard ensures that nothing falling from above onto the truck would damage the controls in the cab or harm the operator. The overhead guard is integral to the frame assembly on several units.
The Mast - Mounted either to the front axle or the forklift frame, the mast is the vertical forklift component made of interlocking rails. The mast allows the forks to move up and down while providing lateral stability. The interlocking rails may either have bushings or bushings as guides. There are a couple of ways the mast may be operated: hydraulically by one or more hydraulic cylinders or chain operated with motive power provided by a hydraulic motor.
Forklift Carriage - The carriage is the component which the forks and other types of attachments are mounted to. Actually, the carriage is directly attached to the hydraulic cylinder and is attached by chains. In order to allow the forks to be lowered and raised, the carriage can have either rollers or bushings to guide it in the interlocking mast rails.
Load Back Rest - a back rest is a metal rack which prevents a load from falling backwards when the carriage is lifted to its full height. The back rest is either welded or bolted on to the carriage.
Lift Truck Attachments - There are various types of attachments which can be fixed directly to the lift truck's carriage. Forks are the most common kind of attachment. Furthermore, there are L-shaped members, rollers, rotators, roll clamps, pole handlers and so on. These various types of attachments are really helpful for moving various types of loads.