Forklifts are industrial trucks used to lift and move heavy products, items and packaged pallets. Fork lifts, also known as forklift trucks, have a power operated forked platform attached to the front of the vehicle, designed to be inserted under loads to lift and move them. Fork lifts are used in almost every industry which handles heavy items or large quantities, such as in warehousing and distribution.
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Hydraulic systems are used for lifting power in most forklifts, although some companies have developed electric actuator controlled lifts. The lifting platforms are typically attached to the front of the forklift, except in the case of sideloaders in which the lifting mechanism extends from the side rather than the front or back. They are used in heavy duty applications and those in which there is not much space to maneuver. For extremely heavy loads, reinforced stabilizing bars can be used to provide extra support for the safe raising and lowering of loads. Reach trucks are equipped with hydraulic lifting systems capable of raising their platforms to reach pallets and items on high warehouse shelves. Other forklifts are designed to maneuver safely down very narrow aisles. Straddle trucks are a type of forklift which have wider bases in order to lift a heavy load higher than normal forklifts can, while turret forklift trucks can rotate a high load up to a 90 degree angle. Platform trucks are a material handling vehicle composed of a simple wheeled flat bed with either a bar handle for manual transportation or a motor, steering wheel and seat. Although not technically lift trucks, platform trucks are used in applications similar to forklift trucks to handle material transportation.
A few common forklift features include tilting and rotating frames and wheels to increase the vehicles' overall maneuverability and efficiency. The forks themselves are adjustable in relation to their intended use. For example, pallet truck forks have specific dimensions which fit a variety of standard pallet designs, or reach trucks can be designed with double extended forks for deep reaching applications. Fork lifts are constructed with either internal combustion engines or electric motors. With new stricter emission standards in facilities, electric forklifts are frequently chosen over fuel or gas powered vehicles. Wheels may be fitted with stabilizing outriggers and the tires themselves may be either solid cushion tires or pneumatic tires. The forklifts may have safety rails installed around the lifting fork to minimize the risk of a load sliding or falling off, or an overhead guard to protect from falling objects. Safety features, such as flashing lights or audible sirens, are common features which help keep co-workers aware of the vehicles' movement and presence in order to avoid injury and product loss. Safety around load handling equipment is an imperative element of a manufacturing or construction facility. Negligence could result in serious accidents or equipment damage from collisions or forklifts tipping over.
Manufacturers divide their products into specific classes of design and capacity. These classes primarily depend on the type of engine and tires that are used. Cushion or solid tires do not need air inflation, and, as a result, puncture less easily and require less monitoring and significantly less maintenance than pneumatic tires. They are used commonly for forklifts in outdoor applications where the terrain is typically rougher, but can also be used indoors. On the other hand, pneumatic tires give load vibration padding and allow for increased traction and a more comfortable ride for the operator. Another factor in the classification of forklifts is the nature of counterbalance in the vehicle. Counterbalancing uses specifically placed weights to prevent the lift from toppling over under the weight of a load. This method is far more convenient than the other alternative of placing supports under the loads. Important factors to consider when exploring forklifts options are vertical lift travel and lift capacity. Vertical lift travel is the height to which a forklift or reach truck can extend, while lift capacity refers to the largest weight capable of being handled by the lift. Vehicle performance is directly affected by these factors and will determine the added value of a forklift truck to a specific application.
Forklift Types
Forklift Terms
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) standard of safety for low-lift and high-lift trucks, approved
by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
- The distribution
of the load to the wheel axles in a weighed down or unloaded condition.
- Measurement between the inside of the baselegs, from
the narrowest point.
- A compilation of several orders zoned for optimum pick rate,
which are sorted at a centralized location.
- The term given
to a vehicle, which is equipped for forward and reverse travel.
- A support structure for forks or attachments, generally roller
mounted, which travels vertically within the mast of a fork truck.
- Used to hold or transport items selected to fill an order condition,
often customized to meet particular needs.
- Hydraulic operated blade attachment that is fitted to
forklift trucks and allows handling of cartons without the use of pallets.
- One or more boards comprising the top or bottom exterior of a
pallet.
- Protects the
driver of a forklift truck from weather conditions when outdoors or in
a cooler or freezer or falling elements
indoors.
- Total stop time spent at pick front.
- Horizontal projections suspended from the carriage to support
loads.
- The distance, horizontally, from the fork face
and fork heel intersection, to the center of gravity of the load.
- The distance, vertically, from the carrying surface
of the fork to the center of gravity of the load.
- Referring to reach and straddle trucks, those wheels that
are located in the baselegs.
- The velocity
in FPM of the lowering load carriage in its operating range, for loaded
and empty conditions.
- The device or container objects are deposited in or on by the
one who picks.
- Half the diameter of a circle made by the outermost
projection of the truck.
- A carrying structure to support loads with stringers and decks with
openings to allow pick up by a fork truck.
- The process of locating, counting and retrieving an item for transportation
to another area or for customer retrieval.
- Part of a larger side guidance system used for forklift
trucks. It also absorbs vehicle weights.
- A steering
option resulting in the vehicle turning to the right when steering wheel
is turned counterclockwise and the operator
is facing opposite the direction of the forks.
- A very common lift
truck attachment. The sideshift device allows the fork carriage to slide
left and right to allow more precise placement of a cargo.
- A pallet having no bottom deck.
- Continuous, longitudinal, solid or notched beam section of
the pallet used to support deck components, often recognized by location
as the outside or center stringer.
- A
list of truck models that is used by insurance companies to determine
the rates for coverage. The
Underwriter's Laboratories is an independent testing agency.
- The measurement
of the effect the truck axle loading has on the floor it operates on.
The two types of it are: Force (concentrated
reaction per tire, in pounds, exerted by wheel on the floor) and P.S.I.
(the wheel loading, in pounds, divided by the wheel contact area in square
inches).
