Forklift Glossary of Terms

Toyota Electric Pallet Jack

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 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. 

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. 

Gradability = 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 ThreeStage 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. 

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

TYLER
3305 Robertson Road
Tyler, TX 75701

TEMPLE
363 Clarence Road
Temple, TX 76501

TEXARKANA
8002 Hampton Road
Texarkana, TX 75503

MT. PLEASANT
1432 W. 16th
Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455

CEDAR PARK
500 Brushy Creek, Ste. 403
Cedar Park, TX 78613

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