Forklift Terminology

Shaft Carriage

A Carriage on which the Forks or Attachments are mounted by a shaft which passes through the vertical members of the Carriage.

Hook Carriage

A Carriage, of solid plate or two-bar construction, upon which forks or attachments can be mounted by means of hook-like projections.

Non-Telescoping Mast

A Mast in which the support member or members providing the guideways for vertical movement of the Carriage do not move vertically with respect to the truck.

Spark Arrestor

A device designed to prevent the emission of hazardous sparks and/or flames.

Attachment

A device other than conventional Forks or Backrest Extensions, mounted permanently to, or removable from the forklift for handling the load.

Overhead Guard or Cage

A framework fitted to a truck over the head of the operator.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

A fuel which is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them: propane, propylene, butane, and butylenes.

Forklift Truck

A high lift self-loading truck equipped with load Carriage and Forks for transporting and/or stacking loads.

Data Plate

A metal plate attached to the forklift trucks upon which information related to rated capacity, weight of the truck, model number, and serial number is placed.

Telescoping Mast

A multiple Mast where one member is stationary and the other(s) movable vertically and supporting the Fork Carriage in it vertical movement. This Mast permits maximum lifts substantially greater then the Overall Lowered height.

Rotator

A power actuated Attachment which provides rotary motion about the axis that is usually perpendicular to the face of the carriage.

Counterbalanced Truck

A powered Industrial truck equipped with a load engaging means wherein all of the load during normal transporting is outside the area formed by the wheel contacts.

Load Backrest Extension

A removable structure extending vertically from the Carriage frame to provide increased support and stability for unusually high loads.

Water Muffler

A special muffler utilizing a water trap to prevent the emission of sparks or flames from the exhaust system.

Carriage

A support for Forks or Attachments;generally roller mounted, travelling vertically within the mast.

Solid Tire

A tire made of resilient solid material.

Mechanical Shift Transmission

A transmission requiring manual actuation of a friction clutch, reversing gears, and speed gears, when used.

Hydrostatic Transmission

A transmission using fluid placed under pressure by a pump to drive a hydraulic motor.

Power Shift Transmission

A transmission where direction and speed changes are accomplished by hydraulically-actuated clutches and controlled by operator with speed direction controls.

Stability

A truck's resistance to overturning.

Ram

An attachment extending horizontally forward from the Carriage which is used to handle hollow core, cylindrical, or similar loads such as rugs.

Connector

An item for quick connection composed of either male of female halves, or two halves, that differ only in the method of mounting. Generally the two halves are known as Charging Plug and Charging Receptacle.

Terminal

Are the parts of the parts of which the external electric circuit is connected.

Battery

Consists of one or more cells electrically connected used for producing electric energy.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

OSHA December 1st, 1998 Subpart N Section 1910.178 sets forth safety regulations for the operation of powered Industrial Trucks (forklifts).

Maximum Fork Height

The Fork Height attainable with the Mast in a fully raised position.

Maximum Lift

The Lift from the extreme lowered position of the Carriage to the fully elevated position.

Tilt

The amount by which the Mast structure, Forks, and Carriage may be tipped beyond the vertical position, forward, or backward.

Free Fork Height

The attainable Fork height before the stated Overall Lowered Height of the Mast is exceeded by any standard part of the Forks, Mast, or Carriage assemblies, when loaded.

Lift Speed

The average speed in FPM (feet per minute) when raising the load Carriage throughout its operating range, specified as empty and/or loaded.

Battery Compartment

The chamber on the truck in which a storage battery is housed.

Capacity

The maximum load in pounds, or the maximum load in pounds at a given Load Center, that a truck safely transport and/or stack to a specified height.

Rated Capacity

The maximum weight, expressed in pounds at a given Load Center that a truck can safely transport and/or stack to a specified height when equipped with a standard Mast, Carriage, and Forks. The Rated Capacity is based on the strength of various truck components and the amount of counterweight.

Load Center

The point at which the center of the load (center of gravity) is placed ahead of the fork face or equivalent (attachment) with the load resting on the forks.

Turning Radius (Outside)

The radius of the circle described by the truck when driving slowly either empty or loaded with the steering mechanism at the maximum steering angle.

Forklift Height

The vertical distance from the floor to the load carrying surface of the Forks with Mast vertical.

Lift

Vertical travel of the Carriage with Mast vertical.