Lift Truck Components in More Detail
A lift truck is made of numerous components. The key components that make up a forklift truck are the truck frame, the engine components, the overhead guard, the wheels and the tilt cylinders. In addition, a lift truck consists of various kinds of attachments. All the parts which make up a lift truck are of equal importance because they work together to make the operation of the machinery possible. The next paragraphs describe a few of the forklift parts in detail.
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 while they are using the equipment. The overhead guard makes sure that nothing falling from above onto the truck would damage the controls inside the cab or injure the driver. 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 forklift frame or the front axle. The mast provides lateral stability and enables the forks to move upwards and downwards. The interlocking rails can either have bushings or bushings as guides. There are two ways the mast can be operated: hydraulically by one or more hydraulic cylinders or chain operated with motive power provided by a hydraulic motor.
Lift Truck Carriage - The carriage is the component which the forks and different other kinds of attachments are mounted to. The carriage is in fact directly connected to the hydraulic cylinder and is attached by chains. To be able to allow the forks to be lowered and raised, the carriage could have either bushings or rollers 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 while 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 attachments which could be fixed directly to the lift truck's carriage. Forks are the most common kind of attachment. Furthermore, there are L-shaped members, rotators, rollers, pole handlers, roll clamps and and all that. These different attachments are very useful for transporting various types of loads.