Key Facts About Forklifts

Forklifts, also called lift trucks, are very common and used in a wide variety of industries, from construction to warehouses, ad more. They are normally used to move, raise or remove objects on pallets or in boxes. Their versatility makes them probably one of the most used tools in warehouses and construction sites. Though they are very well known, here are a few more details about these amazing vehicles.

Understanding How It Works

Understanding how a forklift works is important, especially for those that will be operating them. Forklifts work similarly to how a seesaw does; a weight on one side of the forklift must be balanced by the amount of weight in the load. The weight on both sides must be balanced to prevent the forklift from tipping over. The vehicle is carefully designed to allow it to lift heavy loads without tipping.

The Basic Parts of a Forklift

• Mast. This is a key part of the forklift because it is the one that raises and lowers the load. The mast supports the carriage and there are many types of mast.
• Carriage. The carriage is made of flat metal plates and is attached to the mast rails allowing it to move up and down using a hydraulic lift. 
• Counterweight. This is the weight that stabilizes the forklift and is nothing more than a large metal weight located on the back of the vehicle. Without the counterweight, the forklift would tip over.
• Forks. These are the part that actually touches the load; they can be slid under pallets or boxes.
• Tires. There are many types of tires that a forklift can use, like pneumatic, solid, or polyurethane. The different types of tires used depend on if the vehicle is going to be used outdoors or indoors, or on hard or flat surfaces.

Most forklifts are manufactured by very well-known brands. This makes finding spare parts easy. For instance, Toyota forklift parts can be found at any forklift parts store.

How to Avoid Accidents

When operating the forklift, safety must be the priority. Many people might think driving the truck is easy, however, the forklift is an industrial vehicle and is constantly handling heavy loads, which can be a hazardous task. To maintain control of the vehicle the operator needs training and to be very alert at all times. Two important ways to avoid accidents are:

• Pre-operation checks. These are vital to safety because a damaged or defective vehicle is an unsafe one. Checking the vehicle for any wear or tear will help prevent many accidents. As you have read spare parts such as Nissan or Toyota forklift parts are easy to find, so maintaining the machine shouldn’t be hard to do.
• Know the Workplace. To drive safely with heavy loads it is important to understand the workplace. The conditions of the surface or the ground, the location of ramps and slopes, and how wide the aisles or roads are, among other things are important factors for the operator to know to avoid any issues.