Learn about Forklifts

Click here to find Forklifts Manufacturers | Discuss Forklifts & Other Topics

Used in an extensive number of industrial and construction applications, forklifts are devices with two or more prongs that can be raised and lowered to move a load. Generally, forklifts operate using hydraulics and are part of industrial vehicles called forklift trucks. Forklift trucks typically run on gas or electric power, and incorporate a heavy weight at one end to counterbalance heavy loads.

Forklifts consist of a number of components, including a mast, a carriage, forks (or prongs), and, in the case of forklift trucks, a cab. The cab in a forklift is the location where the operator sits, and it contains the device controls. The carriage is a frame that moves along the mast, which is the metal scaffold that raises and lowers the lift forks. Pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical power can be used to move forklift loads, although most devices rely on hydraulic systems. These systems use fluid, pressurized by the lift motor, to power the movement of the forks.

An average forklift can move up to five tons at a time, although the shape and consistency of the load can affect the lift’s performance, and many lifts have lower capacities. Heavy duty units can move even larger loads, and some use specialized arms to grab or otherwise secure transported objects. Some units have additional transport functions, such as tilting and clamping. The weight of any questionable load should be measured before being moved to ensure that it will not overburden the forklift, and forklifts should never be used on loads exceeding their carrying capacity.

Based on their type, forklifts are categorized from Class I-V, with each class representing a type of lift. A three-wheeled, electric powered forklift, for example, falls into Class I, while a gas-driven forklift truck with air-filled tires and a seated cab for the operator is rated as a Class V forklift.