1. Mast: The mast is the vertical structure that provides the height for lifting the forks. It consists of interlocking steel channels or rails that allow the carriage to move up and down. The mast may be single-stage, double-stage, or triple-stage, depending on the maximum lift height required.
2. Carriage: The carriage is the horizontal framework attached to the mast that holds and moves the forks. It houses various components and mechanisms for lifting, lowering, tilting, and positioning the forks.
3. Fork Arms: The fork arms, also known as blades, extend from the carriage and are responsible for inserting into pallets or load handling attachments to pick up and transport materials. They can be adjustable to accommodate different pallet sizes.
4. Lift Chains/Cylinders: Lift chains or hydraulic cylinders connect the carriage to the mast and provide the power to raise or lower the forks. When activated, the chains or cylinders extend, causing the carriage to move vertically along the mast.
5. Fork Tilt Cylinders: Fork tilt cylinders are responsible for tilting the forks forward or backward. This allows for precise positioning of loads, adjustment of load angles, and safe placement or removal of pallets in tight spaces.
6. Side Shift Mechanism: Some forklifts have a side shift mechanism that enables the carriage to move horizontally left or right relative to the mast. This feature is especially useful when stacking loads precisely in narrow aisles or confined spaces.
7. Fork Positioners: Fork positioners are optional attachments that can be mounted on the carriage. They are used to adjust the spacing between the forks to handle various load sizes or palletized goods with different pallet entry dimensions.
8. Fork Extensions: Fork extensions are another attachment option that extends the length of the forks. This allows for handling longer loads or palletized goods with wider dimensions.
The proper functioning and maintenance of the carriage assembly are essential for the safe and efficient operation of a forklift. Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and operator training are necessary to ensure that the carriage assembly is in optimal condition to handle loads safely and efficiently.
