There are thousands of forklift parts that make up a forklift truck including the truck frame, the engine parts, the overhead guard, the tilt cylinders, the wheels, the attachments, etc. All are equally important and all forklift parts work together in harmony to make the running of the forklift truck smooth and effortless. Here is a look at some of the forklift parts described in more detail.
The Overhead Guard – this is the roof of the forklift truck of the cab area where the operator of the machine sits and drives the truck. The overhead guard is a metal roof that protects the operator in case anything falls on to the forklift truck from above. On some forklifts, the overhead guard is an integrated part of the frame assembly.
The Mast – the mast is the vertical assembly that allows the forks to be lifted up and down. It is made up of interlocking rails that also provide lateral stability. The interlocking rails may either have rollers or bushings as guides. The mast is either hydraulically operated by one or more hydraulic cylinders or it may be chain operated with a hydraulic motor providing motive power. It may be mounted to the front axle or the frame of the forklift.
Forklift Carriage – the carriage is what the forks or any other attachments are mounted to. The forks are mounted into the carriage that is attached to the mast by either chains or attached directly to the hydraulic cylinder, this allows the forks to be raised and lowered. Like the mast, the carriage may have either rollers or bushings to guide it in the interlocking mast rails.
Load Back Rest – these forklift parts are a type of metal rack that is bolted or welded on to the carriage to prevent the load from falling backwards when the carriage is lifted to its full height.
Forklift Attachments – these attachments are fixed to the front of the forklift truck. Most often you see forks but other attachments are used depending on the type of load the truck is moving for example there are L-shaped members, rollers, rotators, pole handlers, roll clamps, etc.