Glossary of common forklift/lift truck terms Battery Capacity = Battery Capacity is measured with its ability to maintain power over a period of time with a specified consumption of energy, presented in Ampere hours (Ah). Common forklift voltages are 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 DC. Battery Compartment = The manufacturer's allotted space of a lift truck, provided to house a battery. A A battery compartment is expressed as: L x W x H. (Length x Width x Height) Battery Connector = A specialized housing connecting-unit that connects the power unit of a lift truck to the battery. Most common 175 and 350 amp color coded. Battery Discharge Indicator = A (BDI)meter or gauge utilized on forklift that indicates the state-ofcharge in the battery. Battery Lead Length = Referenced as length in inches and/or millimeters, connects a battery to the lift truck motor(s). Battery Lead Termination = Location of the exterior plug-in connection to connect to a battery charger. Battery Model Identification = composed of 3 set of numbers expressed PER cell. (Voltage Amps Positive plates (Typically stamped into the 1 positive lead strap. Example: 18-85-25) Battery Weight, min. = Minimum weight of a battery for per lift truck model recommended by the OEM. Boom = A powered boom that extends as a telescope from within itself. Brakes, Parking = Typically is a Mechanical method to by which the brakes are engaged. Brakes, Service = Most powered through hydraulics, air or electric that activates the primary brake. Capacity = The rating given a lift truck indicating the amount of weight that a truck will lift to a predetermined fork height at a specified load center. Most common is 24 load center. Casters = Non-powered swiveled base caster/wheel(s) turn freely.
Control Type = References the type of technology, which controls the electrical and mechanical functionality of the unit. Control Valves = A valve that controls the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid. Counterbalanced = A lift truck that utilizes weight in its chassis to counterbalance a load against the center line of the drive wheels. Cylinders/Displacement = The number of cylinders as designated by the engine OEM/ Internal combustion engines are often quantified by their volumetric displacement, referenced as cu. in. Data Tag = Typical a metal tag that is stamped by the manufacture showing MODEL and SERIAL number and pertainent data to further identify the unit. Discharge Meter = A meter that indicates the state-of-charge in a lift truck's battery. Drawbar Pull = The pulling or towing force, in pounds, at the hitch or coupler of a lift truck. Duplex Mast = Same as Two-Stage Mast Full Free Lift Mast. Engine Manufacturer = References the OEM that manufactures the engine for a given model. Engine Model = References the engine nomenclature; sometimes dependant on the lift truck OEM. Many lift truck OEMs do not manufacture their own engines. Equipment Description = A listing of important features and specifications, which identify a particular model. Fork Carriage Width = The maximum width of the fork carriage. The carriage is designed to raise and lower in front of the mast; the forks connect to the carriage. Fork Size = Dimensions of lift truck forks, expressed as: thickness x width x length. Fork Spread = The maximum distance the forks can be positioned, expressed as width, measured from the outside edge of the forks. Free Lift = The vertical distance the forks can be raised before a mast begins to telescope. Freezer Protection = A means of preparing a lift truck to operate in freezer or cold environments. = conditioning may include specialized hydraulic oils, special paint and components. Fuel Tank Capacity = The maximum capacity of the fuel tank of a lift truck. Full Free Lift = A truck where the fork carriage travels to the top of the inner mast before the inner mast begins to rise. Gradability = The maximum percent of a slope a lift truck can negotiate with a capacity load.
Hours Per Year = The range of objective hours a user expects to operate a machine on a yearly basis; used as an RV Calculation factor. Hydraulic Pressure = Indicates the standard pressure of hydraulic fluid for a particular lift truck model, measured by pounds per square inch. Length to Fork Face = The length of the lift truck measured from the extreme rear end of the lift truck to the vertical surface of the fork face. Lift Speed, empty = The maximum upward speed forks can travel without a load. Lift Speed w/load = The maximum upward speed forks can travel with a maximum capacity load. Lift Interrupt = Measures the state-of-charge of the battery and when the charge falls below a predetermined level, the lift interrupt locks out the lift contacts to prevent lift. Limited Free Lift = The amount the forks raise before the overall lowered height of a mast increases. Load Backrest = Connected to the fork carriage, the load backrest extends vertically; the load backrest is a grated shield, which prevents loads from sliding backwards. Load Capacity = The maximum weight a specified lift truck can lift and/or carry, specified by the OEM. Load Center = The horizontal distance between the front face and the longitudinal midpoint of an evenly distributed load. Load Wheels = The wheels located on the load end of a truck. Lower Speed, empty = The maximum downward speed forks can travel without a load. Lower Speed w/load = The maximum downward speed forks can travel with a maximum capacity load. Mast, Standard = (Standard Mast) the standard mast designated by the OEM Mast - Two-Stage = A telescoping mast that is comprised of two connecting masts: Limited Free Lift (FL) & Full Free Lift (FFL). Simplex Mast = Same as Two-Stage with limited Free Lift Mast. Mast Triple Stage = A telescoping mast, which is comprised of three, connecting masts, same as Three- Stage Mast. Mast Triplex Mast = Same as Triple Stage and Three-Stage Mast. Mast Quad Stage = A telescoping mast, which is comprised of four, connecting masts. Mast Boom = A boom that telescopes within itself.(normally manually adjusted)
Mechanical Lift = A non electrical lift. MFH = Maximum Fork Height. The maximum height of lift truck forks when the mast of the lift truck has reached full extension. Microprocessor = An integrated circuit that contains the control and processing elements of a microcomputer. Narrow-Aisle Truck = A lift truck, which is designed specifically for narrow aisles. A narrow aisle is generally considered 7 to 9 feet wide. NET Horsepower =Maximum horsepower at the flywheel, with intake and exhaust systems in place and accounting for load from auxiliary systems. Operating Weight = The weight of a standard configured machine, which is assembled and in working order. Please see our specification sheets to see the operating weight. Operator Type = The designated operator position of a lift truck, classified by industry class type, in which an operator of the lift truck stands, sits or walks. Order/Stock Picker = A forklift with all controls for raise/lower, travel mounted on an operator's platform that raises and lowers with the forks. Outriggers I.D. = Straight mast forklift - the distance between the inside portion of the outriggers often call Base Leg Opening (BLO) Outriggers O.D., max = The distance measured at the outside surface of outriggers Overall Height Lowered = The height of a mast completely collapsed. Overall Height Raised = The maximum extended height of the top of the load backrest or fork carriage of a completely extended mast. Overall Width = distance between the widest part of a lift truck. In the Guru, when referring to overall width for class 2 & 3 trucks, overall width refers to the width of the power unit, not the outriggers. Overhead Guard = A framework above the operator's head attached to a lift truck to protect an operator. Often referred to as DOG or Driver s Over Head Guard. Overall Guard Height = The distance from the floor surface to highest point of the overhead guard. Power Type = Refers to the mode of energy or motive force by which a lift truck is propelled, examples include: gasoline/lpg/diesel engine, electric. Pneumatic Tire = An inflatable tire generally used in an outdoors environment. Quad-Stage Mast = A lift truck mast that has four sections
Rated Output @ rpm = That engine power available at a specified output of a device under specified conditions of operation. Referenced as revolutions per minute (rpm). Rated Torque @ rpm = The force that rotates or turns a crankshaft; stated in lb-ft. Reach Truck = A truck equipped with a pantograph-type reach mechanism that allows the forks to extend out past the supporting outriggers. Reach Extension = The maximum distance a fork carriage can be extended forward, horizontally. This function is limited to some (Class 2 & 3) Reach Trucks. Resistor = A device, which impedes the flow, provides resistance to electrical current in a circuit. Resistor Control = A type of speed control that utilizes resistors to reduce the voltage to a motor. Rider Truck = A lift truck designed to be operated by an operator whom stands or sits on the unit. Right Angle Stack = The ability to turn a lift truck 90 degrees in an aisle. SCR = Silicon Controlled Rectifier. An electronic switch that can be turned on and off very quickly that allows current to pass through in one direction. SCR Control = A speed control using solid-state components. Serial Number -= The primary identifier that like as car/truck VIN assigned but the manufacturer on the data tag/often stamped in the frame of the chassis. Service Weight = The overall weight of a fully configured lift truck Sideshift = An attachment which can move the forks horizontally to the left or right. Sideshift Package = A complete shideshift system includes valve, hydraulic hose group and the sideshift hardware. Solenoid = An electromagnetic device consisting of a coil with a moveable core. Energizing the coil causes the core to move and perform some kind of mechanical action. Solid State = Any device that control current flow without requiring a movement of parts, a heating of filaments, or a vacuum gap. Stand-Up Rider = A lift truck designed to be controlled by an operator standing. Straddle = The act of poisoning a load between the forklift's outriggers. Straddle Stacker = A forklift lift that has outriggers that goes on either side of a load. Steering = The type of steering system included on a standard lift truck model.
Tilt Angle = The distance a mast can move (tilt) forward and backward by means of hydraulics expressed tilt angle values as back/front. Tires front = Refers to the tires, generally the drive tires. Tires rear = Refers to the rear or "steer" tires, Tire Types = Most common know are cushion and pneumatic with many variations. Transmission Speed F/R =The number of speeds of a transmission, referenced as Front/Back. Transmission Type = Assembly of gears and associated parts by which is powered from the engine. Transistor Control = A speed controller for operational travel. Travel Speed, empty = The maximum speed a lift truck can travel without a load. Travel Speed w/load = The maximum speed a lift truck can travel carrying a full load, or rated capacity. Turning Radius = The radius of a circle created by outmost projection of a lift truck when the operator has the steering mechanism in the tightest turning position. Under clearance, frame = Smallest distance between the wheelbase portion of a lift truck frame and a floor surface. Under clearance, min. = Smallest distance between a lift truck and a floor surface. Valves = A hydraulic device that controls fluid flow direction, pressure, or flow rate. Voltage = The measurement of the force which causes electrical current to flow in a conductor, expressed in volts, examples: 24, 36, 48, 72 & 80 volts. Wheelbase = The distance between the front axle and the rear axle of a lift truck. Wheels = The numbers of wheels on a standard lift truck Walkie = A motorized pallet lift truck with limited lift, which an operator walks with controlling direction and speed by a control handle. Walkie Ride = A motorized pallet lift truck with limited lift, which an operator walks rides with controlling direction and speed by a control handle. Yard lift = Typically a pneumatic tired forklift. Year = The year a particular model was manufactured. Warehouse lift = Typically a cushion tired forklift.
Industrial Truck Association (ITA) Class for forklifts Class 1 = Electric Motor Rider Lift Trucks: Stand-Up Rider, Sit-Down Rider Cushion Tire, Sit-Down Rider Pneumatic Tire, 3-Wheel Rider Electric Class 2 = Electric Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks: High-Lift Straddle-Type, Narrow Aisle Single Reach, Narrow Aisle Double Reach, Narrow Aisle Swing Reach, Counterbalanced Order Picker, Straddle Order Picker, Turret Trucks Class 3 = Electric Hand Trucks: Walkie Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Reach Pallet Walkie/Ride Straddle Pallet Walkie/Ride High-Lift Counterbalanced Class 4 = Internal Combustion Cushion Tire Lift Trucks Class 5 = Internal Combustion Pneumatic Tire Lift Trucks Forklifts.com Team 512 789-3624