The Key Components of a Forklift

The Key Components of a Forklift

February 7, 2022  |  Forklift, Tips and Tools
Forklifts are small industrial vehicles that are heavily used in warehouses and large storage facilities to lift, move, and transport heavy or bulky cargo. A unique power-operated fork platform is attached at the front of the vehicle that can be used to raise or lower cargo.

Forklifts are small industrial vehicles that are heavily used in warehouses and large storage facilities to lift, move, and transport heavy or bulky cargo. A unique power-operated fork platform is attached at the front of the vehicle that can be used to raise or lower cargo. 
 

There are over 1.5 million certified forklift operators in the United States, and nearly everyone in the developed world relies on forklifts to support trade and commerce. Despite this many people do not know the key components that make up a standard forklift.  

There are several different varieties of forklifts, but the main components are always the same.  

In this post, we will go over the key components that make up a forklift and the purpose of each one.   

What Parts Make up a Forklift? 

There are five key components that appear in every variety of forklifts. 

  1. Truck frame 

    The truck frame is the main body of the forklift. The frame is the base of the machine. All key components are attached to the truck’s frame, and the frame supports the weight of the forklift itself and any cargo.  

  1. Counterweight 

    The counterweight is a cast-iron weight attached to the rear portion of the forklift. It is designed to counterbalance the load carried by the fork. Electric forklifts have the counterweights attached directly to the battery.  

    It is of utmost importance that the counterweight is never tampered with. Adding or removing mass from the counterweight can lead to an overturned forklift which can result in serious injury or death.  

  1. The power source 

    The power source is the component that drives the motion of the forklift.  

    There are two main types of forklifts: those powered by a combustion engine and those powered by an electric battery.  

    Those trucks running on combustion engines utilize LPG, CNG, diesel, or natural gas as fuel.  

    Electric vehicles use fuel cells or lead-acid batteries.  

  1. Carriage 

    The carriage is the base of the forklift. Fixed directly to mast rails, the carriage controls the upward and downward motion of the lift. The carriage will often use rollers for leverage.  

    The carriage is what many consider to be the primary characteristic of the forklift, the component responsible for providing lift to the fork. 
     

  1. Mast 

    As the carriage, the mast is responsible for the controlled motion of cargo.      

 

Consisting of a series of interlocking rails, the mast controls horizontal movement while the carriage controls vertical movement.  

Simple Components Working Together 

Forklifts are relatively simple machines that utilize five main components to lift and transport cargo.  

Millions of people use forklifts every day to fulfill their duties and millions more count on forklifts to help transport goods around the world.  

Despite this, most people do not know the key components of a forklift or the danger they pose to untrained drivers. Forklifts contribute to upwards of 30,000 serious injuries annually, largely due to driver error.  

Because of this, anyone working with or near forklifts must understand the components that make them work and the safety issues they can pose.  

If your business is looking for the best, safest forklifts around, then look no further than Beamers Piggyback. We are the only certified Princeton dealer in Southwest Ohio, and we will go the extra mile to make sure your forklifts work for you.