Forklift Glossary of 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 battery compartment is expressed as: L x W x H. (Length x Width x Height)

Battery Model Identification = Composed of 3 set of numbers expressed PER cell.

(Voltage – Amps – Positive plates, typically stamped into the 1 positive lead strap. e.g 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.

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 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.

Data Plate = Typical a metal tag that is stamped by the manufacture showing MODEL and SERIAL number and pertinent data to further identify the unit.

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 dependent on the lift truck OEM. Many lift truck OEMs do not manufacture their own engines.

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.

Full Free Lift = A truck where the fork carriage travels to the top of the inner mast before the inner mast begins to rise.

Gradeability = 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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

Stand-Up Rider = A lift truck designed to be controlled by an operator standing.

Tilt Angle = The distance a mast can move (tilt) forward and backward by means of hydraulics expressed tilt angle values as “back/front”.

Drive Tires = Refers to the tires, generally the “drive” tires.

Steer Tires = 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.

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.

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.

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.

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