Forklifts are powered machines that lift heavy materials at different work sites. These can be used at industrial units, construction sites, factories, warehouses, and storage facilities. A forklift is considered an industrial vehicle with a power-operated platform on its front. It has a fork-like handle that is used to handle things.

This forklike handle can be lowered, and raised to loading and unloading, or taking heavy materials from one place to another. These forklifts can either be powered by combustion engines or electric batteries, whatever the case, they are highly efficient and powerful lifters used across several industries.

Types of Forklifts

Forklifts are also available in different varieties where the handler can either stand and operate the machine (stand-up forklifts) or has a place to sit while operating.

These vehicles are extremely useful at construction sites where a lot of raw, heavy materials are required to be moved around.

The best thing about these vehicles is that it is quite self-sufficient vehicle where it can lift, hold, and transport goods all at the same time. With just one handler, it can do the work of several people with utmost speed and efficiency.

Warehouse Forklift

Some of the most prominent types of Forklifts include –

  • Rough Terrain Forklift
  • Warehouse Forklift
  • Industrial Forklift
  • Counterbalance Forklift
  • Telescopic Handler Forklifts
  • Loader Forklift
  • Side Loader Forklifts

Forklift Components

A forklift is made of different components that work together to perform various functions like lifting and transporting, etc. Some of the integral parts of a forklift include –

Fork Truck frame

The Lift Truck frame is the base frame that holds all the components of a forklift together including the wheels, mast, and counterweight

Counterweight

Made of cast iron and attached at the rear end of the forklift, the counterweight functions as a counter to the weight that the forklift lifts to maintain the right balance. Liftrucks facilitated with this component are also known as Counterbalance Forklifts.

Power source

Forklifts have an in-built engine powered by a specific fuel type – diesel, natural gas, LPG, or CNG. Electric motor forklifts are powered by electric batteries.

Carriage

These are attached to the mast rails at the bottom of the forklift to provide ease of movement

Mast

The mast allows the loading and unloading of goods. Consisting of interlocking rails, it also helps in horizontal controls

How does a construction forklift work?

The main function of a forklift at any construction site is to lift heavy goods and take them from one place to another. Sometimes, they are also used to stack stuff. There are two basic mechanisms that help forklifts to lift and lower the goods – roller chain pulleys and hydraulic cylinders:

Roller chain pulleys

Roller chain pulley forklift

Two roller chain pulleys are utilized to attach the fork that lifts goods to the main body. The fulcrum of these chain pulleys forms a gear above the mast.

The gears that are located at the top of the mast get pressed onto the roller chains just as the hydraulic pistons push the mast in the upward direction. This happens as one side of the chain is attached to the solid frame of the forklift. The mast can only follow an upward movement as the gears rotate in a clockwise direction, pulling the forks overhead.

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Hydraulic cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders forklift

The lift handle is located at the base of the forklift that is fixed to an electric-powered air pump. When the air pump is switched on, it draws the air from the atmosphere into the filter and pushes it inside a tube until it reaches the hydraulic cylinder.

This cylinder is attached to a hollow tube closed with a lubricated, flexible piston towards the end. This cylinder stores all the provided air without leaking it. The pressure that builds by the air creates an upward movement pushing the piston up.

As this process takes place, the gas volume increases to minimize the pressure. Equilibrium at the height of the forklift is created through this process, which is equivalent to the gas and the load of the forklift.

To elevate the load, the handle needs to push forward. It sends a signal to the forklift to pump excess air inside the cylinder.

When the forklift needs to be moved downwards in order to lower the load, the handle needs to be pulled in a backward direction. This releases the gas from the cylinder bringing the forklift downwards.

These vehicles are extremely helpful on construction sites where they not only serve as a loader but also a transporter.

They can be used to lift heavy materials and take them from one place to another. They are highly efficient even in difficult terrains.

They are usually used to load and unload pallets of blocks/bricks, steel joists, and other similar construction equipment and materials, especially when it comes to unloading them from delivery trucks.

How much does a forklift cost?

Forklifts are available in different sizes, power, attachments, and functions. And the price of a forklift depends on all these factors, including the make and model of the machine. The more power you need from a forklift, the more expensive it will be.

These are also available in grade 2, grade 3, and quad grade variations that provide a different height of lifting materials. Electric forklifts are usually more expensive initially, but they are a better investment in the long run. Different attachments like side-shifters, fork positioners, or single or double attachments will also increase the cost of the forklift. But they increase productivity, eventually paying for themselves.

Frequently asked questions about Forklifts for Construction Projects

Are forklifts a good option to invest in?

High Capacity Forklifts are extremely useful vehicles used across several industries and construction sites. They not only help in loading and unloading heavy materials and goods, but they can also help in taking these goods around.

Their cost varies depending on their make, version, attachments, and power, but they increase productivity to quite an extent, eventually turning out to be a fruitful investment.

What are the main components of a forklift?

Standard forklifts mainly consist of a truck frame, counterweight, power source, carriage, and mast.

These are all important elements that come together to make the forklift work to its best capacity. It is also important to keep these elements in the best-maintained shape so that the forklift performs as it is expected to.