Forklift Components in More Detail
There are numerous parts which make up a lift truck. The forklifts main components consist of the frame of the truck, the engine parts, the overhead guard, the tilt cylinders and the wheels. In addition, a forklift consists of different types of attachments. All the components that make up a forklift are of equal importance because they work together to make the functions of the equipment possible. The subsequent paragraphs describe a few of the lift truck parts in detail.
The Overhead Guard - The overhead guard is really the forklifts metal roof, which sits atop the operator cab. It's job is to protect the operator whilst they are using the machine. The overhead guard ensures that nothing falling from above onto the truck will injure the driver or damage the controls in the cab. The overhead guard is essential to the frame assembly on several models.
The Mast - the mast is a vertical assembly made of interlocking rails and mounted either to the front axle or the forklift frame. The mast provides lateral stability and allows the forks to move up and down. The interlocking rails may either have rollers or bushings as guides. There are two ways the mast could be operated: chain operated with motive power provided by a hydraulic motor or hydraulically by one or more hydraulic cylinders.
Lift Truck Carriage - the forks and various other kinds of attachments are mounted to the carriage. The carriage is connected to the mast directly to the hydraulic cylinder or it is connected by chains. To allow the forks to be raised and lowered, the carriage could have either rollers or bushings to guide it in the interlocking mast rails.
Load Back Rest - When the carriage is lifted to full height, there is a back rest made of metal which keeps a load from falling backwards. The back rest is either bolted or welded on to the carriage.
Lift Truck Attachments - a range of attachments may be fixed to the front of the forklift truck. The most common attachment is forks. Additionally, there are rollers, rotators, L-shaped members, pole handlers, roll clamps and so forth. These different kinds of attachments are really handy for moving various kinds of loads.