Main terms on forklift operation

Rated lifting capacity: The rated lifting capacity of a forklift refers to the maximum weight of the goods that can be lifted when the distance from the center of gravity of the goods to the front wall of the fork is not greater than the distance between the load centers, expressed in t (tons). When the center of gravity of the goods on the fork exceeds the specified load center distance, the lifting capacity should be reduced accordingly due to the limitation of the longitudinal stability of the forklift.

Load center distance: Load center distance refers to the horizontal distance from the center of gravity to the front wall of the vertical section of the fork when a standard cargo is placed on the fork, expressed in mm (millimeters). For a 1t forklift, the specified load center distance is 500mm.

Maximum lifting height: The maximum lifting height refers to the vertical distance between the upper surface of the horizontal section of the fork and the ground when the forklift is fully loaded and the goods are raised to the highest position on a flat and solid ground.

The mast inclination angle refers to the maximum inclination angle of the mast forward or backward relative to its vertical position when the unloaded forklift is on a flat and solid ground. The function of the forward inclination angle is to facilitate fork picking and unloading of goods; the function of the rear inclination angle is to prevent the goods from slipping off the fork when the forklift is running with goods.

Maximum lifting speed: The maximum lifting speed of a forklift usually refers to the maximum speed at which the goods are lifted when the forklift is fully loaded, expressed in m/min (meters per minute). Increasing the maximum hoisting speed can improve work efficiency; however, if the hoisting speed exceeds the limit, cargo damage and machine damage accidents are likely to occur. At present, the maximum lifting speed of domestic forklifts has been increased to 20m/min.

Maximum travel speed: increasing the travel speed has a great impact on improving the working efficiency of the forklift. Competitors with internal combustion forklifts with a lifting capacity of 1t must travel at a maximum speed of not less than 17m/min when fully loaded.

Minimum turning radius: When the forklift is running at low speed with no load and turning with full steering wheel, the minimum distance from the outermost and innermost of the car body to the turning center is called outside the minimum outer turning radius Rmin and within the minimum inner turning radius rmin respectively. The smaller the minimum outer turning radius, the smaller the ground area required for the forklift to turn, and the better the maneuverability.

Minimum ground clearance: The minimum ground clearance refers to the distance from the fixed lowest point on the vehicle body to the ground other than the wheels, which indicates the ability of the forklift to cross the raised obstacles on the ground without collision. The greater the minimum ground clearance, the higher the forklift’s passability.

Wheelbase: The wheelbase of a forklift refers to the horizontal distance between the centerlines of the front and rear axles of the forklift. Wheelbase refers to the distance between the centers of the left and right wheels on the same axle. Increasing the wheelbase is beneficial to the longitudinal stability of the forklift, but increases the length of the body and the minimum turning radius. Increasing the wheel base is beneficial to the lateral stability of the forklift, but it will increase the overall width of the body and the minimum turning radius.

The minimum width of the right-angle aisle: the minimum width of the right-angle aisle refers to the minimum width of the aisle intersecting at a right angle for the forklift to travel back and forth. Expressed in mm. Generally, the smaller the minimum width of the right-angle channel, the better the performance.

The minimum width of the stacking aisle: the minimum width of the stacking aisle is the minimum width of the aisle when the forklift is in normal operation.