What is a forklift? and where it is used?

A forklift is a small industrial vehicle with a power-operated forked platform connected at the front that can be moved up and down for insertion beneath a load to lift or transport it. Forklifts are used in various sectors, including warehouses and other big storage sites.

Electric batteries or combustion engines power forklifts. Some forklifts allow drivers to sit while running and controlling the machine, while others require them to stand. It is widely employed in transportation resources and products throughout the industry.

A forklift is made up of the various components needed to handle tasks efficiently. From the truck frame, power source to counterweight is critical to the efficient operation of a forklift.

Frame

The frame is the most important component that forms the base of the machine. All key components of a forklift, including wheels, counterweights and masts, are mounted on the truck frame.

Counterweight

The counterweight is a cast iron counterweight mounted on the rear of the forklift. The purpose of the counterweight is to balance the load being lifted. On electric forklifts, the counterweight is attached to the lead-acid battery.

Energy Source

The power source of the forklift consists of an internal combustion engine. The engine can run on LPG, CNG, diesel and natural gas. Electric forklifts get their power from fuel cells or lead-acid batteries.

Transportation

The carriage serves as the base of the forklift. The brackets are attached to the mast rails and can be easily moved up and down.

The Mast

A mast is a vertical member that lifts and holds down loads. The mast assembly consists of interlocking rails that provide horizontal control. Like the carriage, the mast may be equipped with rollers.

Industrial Uses of Forklifts

Forklifts have revolutionized the warehousing and transportation industry. Forklifts were first invented in the early 20th century and are now an essential part of the modern industrial world. Forklifts are named for the forked forks that lift the load.

Forklifts are mainly used for:

#1. Construction site

Industrial forklifts are very useful equipment on construction sites as they can be used to move bulky construction materials over long distances over rough terrain. It combines and balances the functions of lifting tool and vehicle. Forklifts can remove pallets of bricks, building materials and steel joists from delivery trucks and transport them to construction sites. Most shipping companies now carry truck-mounted forklifts for easy unloading of construction products.

#2. Warehouse

Forklifts are most commonly used in warehouses and are mainly used for loading and unloading trucks and moving goods. There are many types of forklifts, ranging from foot-operated machines to heavy-duty driver-operated trucks.

Forklifts vary in size from 1 ton capacity for general warehouse to 50 ton capacity for work transporting containers. A plate on a forklift determines the maximum weight it can lift. The forklift operator can raise and lower the forks, use the sideshifter to move the load and tilt the mast so the load does not slip off the forks.

Pallet jacks are used to load and unload goods delivered on pallets, such as cartons and canned goods.

#3. Recycling business

Forklifts are also used in recycling operations to unload recycling trucks or containers and transport their contents to sorting areas. Forklifts can efficiently load and unload straight-line trucks, tractor trailers, elevators and rail vehicles. Cage attachments are useful for transporting materials such as tires that may slip off the forks.

The work area must be adequately prepared before starting loading/unloading operations. The vehicle's brakes should be set. Stationary jacks must be installed to support a semi-trailer that is not attached to a tow vehicle to avoid the forklift from tipping over. Make sure that the height of the vehicle access door differs from the height of the forklift by at least 5 cm. Also, make sure the dock and dock board are free of any obstructions and are completely dry. The forks should be kept facing down when driving with no load, and the forks should be kept facing up when driving with a load.

#4. Shipyard

Forklifts have been used to stack and unload ships and barges during the World Wars when a quick and efficient way to load weapons and supplies was required.

Today, heavy-duty forklifts are used to move large containers from delivery trucks to dock storage areas and onto ships. It is used to transport timber and steel once they have been unloaded.