In today's manufacturing and construction industries, the lift truck is a vital tool. The companies which use forklifts will know their significance, their functional needs, and the safety concerns involved in lift truck applications. Forklifts are a great investment that will increase workplace productivity and efficiency.
Significance
The forklift provides an efficient and effective way to transport goods and products. These modern equipment move a wide variety of heavy goods in all kinds of environments. Forklifts are utilized to transport objects which are heavy and bulky that would otherwise have to be moved by hand in smaller units.
Function
Forklifts can reach racks as high as 9 to 12 meters. This enables efficient use of maximum storage capacity in a retail store or warehouse. The forks move up and down by a telescopic hydraulic cylinder on the lift truck mast. Different sets of hydraulic cylinders are used to tilt the mast and shift it to the side, for positioning. A telescopic hydraulic cylinder is an attachment which allows an even higher lift utilizing a hydraulic cylinder system which works much like a telescope. Every section slides inside the other like sections of a telescope.
Features
Separate levers control the down and up, tilt, and side shift. To raise the forks, the operator pulls back on the up and down lever. To lower the forks, the driver pushes the lever forward. Tilt the load back by pulling back the lever, push it forward to tilt the load forward. The side shift lever controls the left and right movement of the forks. Not like automobiles, forklifts steer from the rear tires. This permits the lift truck to turn in a very small radius. The forward and reverse controls of the transmission are found on the steering column.