Glossary of common forklift/lift truck 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 A battery compartment is expressed as: L x W x H. (Length x Width x Height)
Battery Connector = A specialized housing connecting-unit that connects the power unit of a lift truck to the battery. Most common 175 and 350 amp color coded.
Battery Discharge Indicator = A (BDI)meter or gauge utilized on forklift that indicates the state-of-charge in the battery.
Battery Lead Length = Referenced as length in inches and/or millimeters, connects a battery to the lift truck motor(s).
Battery Lead Termination = Location of the exterior plug-in connection to connect to a battery charger.
Battery Model Identification = composed of 3 set of numbers expressed PER cell.
(Voltage – Amps – Positive plates (Typically stamped into the 1 positive lead strap. Example: 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.
Brakes, Parking = Typically is a Mechanical method to by which the brakes are engaged.
Brakes, Service = Most powered through hydraulics, air or electric that activates the primary brake.
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.
Control Type = References the type of technology, which controls the electrical and mechanical functionality of the unit.
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.
Cylinders/Displacement = The number of cylinders as designated by the engine OEM/ Internal combustion engines are often quantified by their volumetric displacement, referenced as cu. in.
Data Tag = Typical a metal tag that is stamped by the manufacture showing MODEL and SERIAL number and pertainent data to further identify the unit.
Discharge Meter = A meter that indicates the state-of-charge in a lift truck's battery.
Drawbar Pull = The pulling or towing force, in pounds, at the hitch or coupler of a lift truck.
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 dependant on the lift truck OEM. Many lift truck OEMs do not manufacture their own engines.
Equipment Description = A listing of important features and specifications, which identify a particular model.
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.
Fuel Tank Capacity = The maximum capacity of the fuel tank of a lift truck.
Full Free Lift = A truck where the fork carriage travels to the top of the inner mast before the inner mast begins to rise.
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.
Lift Interrupt = Measures the state-of-charge of the battery and when the charge falls below a predetermined level, the lift interrupt locks out the lift contacts to prevent lift.
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.
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.
Microprocessor = An integrated circuit that contains the control and processing elements of a microcomputer.
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.
Operator Type = The designated operator position of a lift truck, classified by industry class type, in which an operator of the lift truck stands, sits or walks.
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.
Outriggers I.D. = Straight mast forklift - the distance between the inside portion of the outriggers often call Base Leg Opening (BLO)
Outriggers O.D., max = The distance measured at the outside surface of outriggers
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.
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”.
Resistor = A device, which impedes the flow, provides resistance to electrical current in a circuit.
Resistor Control = A type of speed control that utilizes resistors to reduce the voltage to a motor.
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.
SCR = Silicon Controlled Rectifier. An electronic switch that can be turned on and off very quickly that allows current to pass through in one direction.
SCR Control = A speed control using solid-state components.
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.
Solenoid = An electromagnetic device consisting of a coil with a moveable core. Energizing the coil causes the core to move and perform some kind of mechanical action.
Solid State = Any device that control current flow without requiring a movement of parts, a heating of filaments, or a vacuum gap.
Stand-Up Rider = A lift truck designed to be controlled by an operator standing.
Straddle = The act of poisoning a load between the forklift's outriggers.
Straddle Stacker = A forklift lift that has outriggers that goes on either side of a load.
Tilt Angle = The distance a mast can move (tilt) forward and backward by means of hydraulics expressed tilt angle values as “back/front”.
Tires front = Refers to the tires, generally the “drive” tires.
Tires rear = 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.
Transmission Type = Assembly of gears and associated parts by which is powered from the engine.
Transistor Control = A speed controller for operational travel.
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.
Under clearance, min. = Smallest distance between a lift truck and a floor surface.
Valves = A hydraulic device that controls fluid flow direction, pressure, or flow rate.
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.
Wheels = The numbers of wheels on a standard 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.
Yard lift = Typically a pneumatic tired forklift.
Year = The year a particular model was manufactured.
Industrial Truck Association (ITA) Class for forklifts
Class 1 = Electric Motor Rider Lift Trucks: Stand-Up Rider , Sit-Down Rider Cushion Tire , Sit-Down Rider Pneumatic Tire, 3-Wheel Rider Electric
Class 2 = Electric Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks: High-Lift Straddle-Type , Narrow Aisle Single Reach , Narrow Aisle Double Reach, Narrow Aisle Swing Reach, Counterbalanced Order Picker, Straddle Order Picker, Turret Trucks
Class 3 = Electric Hand Trucks: Walkie Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Reach Pallet Walkie/Ride Straddle Pallet Walkie/Ride High-Lift Counterbalanced
Class 4 = Internal Combustion Cushion Tire Lift Trucks
Class 5 = Internal Combustion Pneumatic Tire Lift Trucks
Forklifts.com Team
