If you don’t have a lot of experience in the forklift industry, then it can feel like you need to learn a new language to understand all of the forklift terminology that gets thrown around. Whether you’re on the phone with a dealer or talking to a service tech, understanding this terminology can help you understand what the conversation actually means (instead of just nodding along and hoping for the best).
How to Use This Forklift Terminology Guide
In this forklift glossary of terms, we cover all of the essential terms that you need to know. These plain-language explanations are organized by category for easy reference.
These forklift parts, names, and definitions are built for both operators and buyers, covering all of the most common phrases that you might hear in the forklift industry.
Forklift Types
- Counterbalance Forklift: This is the standard forklift, designed with a rear weight that offsets the load.
- Reach Truck: The extending forks on this truck are ideal for warehouses because they can reach into narrow racking to lift loads.
- Order Picker: This forklift is designed to raise the operator and the load simultaneously, allowing the operator to pick individual items from high shelves.
- Walkie Stacker: Compact design and moved by a walking person, often used for stacking pallets in tight spaces.
- Pallet Jack / Pallet Truck: A device for lifting and moving pallets at low height. Best for short distances.
- Rough Terrain Forklift: A forklift that has large pneumatic tires and ground clearance higher than normal to accommodate outdoor, uneven surfaces.
- Telehandler (Telescopic Handler): An extendable boom is built into the forklift to allow reaching high or far loads. This forklift is commonly used for construction projects.
- Side Loader: The loads are lifted from the side, making this forklift ideal for transporting long materials like pipes or lumber.
- Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) / Articulating Forklift: A compact design that allows maneuvering and lifting in extremely tight warehouse aisles.
- Tow Tractor & AGV: Instead of lifting the materials, a vehicle pulls loaded carts. AGV vehicles operate autonomously.
Core Components (Forklift Anatomy)
- Mast: The vertical rails that move the forks up and down.
- Carriage: A plate that secures the forks, and it moves along the mast.
- Forks (Tynes): The prongs that are horizontal to the floor, which slide under the load so it can be lifted.
- Counterweight: Extra weight located in the back of the forklift, designed to offset the load to help with stability.
- Overhead Guard: A roof that is placed over where the operator is sitting to protect them from falling objects.
- Load Backrest: A vertical frame that is located behind the forks, which keeps loads from sliding backward.
- Chassis and Cab: Where the operator sits while using the forklift. This area is the main frame of the forklift.
- Hydraulic System, Lift, & Tilt Cylinders: The hydraulic system that raises, lowers, and tilts the forks and mast to move the load.
- Tiller Head: The controls that are used to control both the direction and speed of the forklift.
Mast Types & Lift Terms
- Simplex, Duplex, Triplex, & Quad Masts: Different mast configurations that are available, with one, two, three, or four rail sections. The number of masts affects the forklift’s lift height and visibility.
- Truckers’ Mast: This type of mast has a low profile and is designed to fit inside places with limited overhead clearance, such as truck trailers.
- Free Lift & Full Free Lift: This function allows the height of the forks to rise before the mast itself begins to extend.
- Maximum Fork Height (MFH): The highest point the forks can reach when fully raised.
- Overall Lowered Height (OAL): The total height of the forklift (when the mast is in its lowest position).
Forklift Attachments
- Side Shift: This attachment allows the forks to move side to side (left or right) so that the load can be positioned without the need to reposition the truck.
- Fork Positioner: An attachment spaces the forks wider or closer together to fit different types of pallets.
- Rotator: This attachment rotates the forks or carriage so that the load can be dumped or tipped.
- Fork Extensions: Sleeves that fit over the forks so that they can be lengthened for oversized loads.
- Clamps & Push/Pull: If a load isn’t on a pallet, then this attachment can grip the load. It can also be used to push and pull slip-sheeted goods.
Forklift Tires
- Cushion Tires: Solid rubber tires with a bonded metal band in the center of the tires. These tires are used for smooth indoor surfaces, such as warehouses.
- Pneumatic Tires (Air & Solid): Pneumatic tires can be filled with air or designed with solid rubber tires. They have deep tread, making them ideal for outdoor and rough surfaces.
- Polyurethane Tires: Durable, long-wearing tires that are ideal for indoor conditions and heavy-duty loads.
Dimensions & Specifications
- Load Center: The standard horizontal distance measured between the fork face and the load’s center of gravity. This is a critical measurement to optimize safety and reduce the risk of tip-overs.
- Rated, Net, & Residual Capacity: The maximum weight a forklift can lift safely, recalculated based on different configurations and attachments.
- Turning Radius: The smallest circle a forklift can move in when completing a full turn.
- Fork Spread: The distance between the forks. Some forklifts allow adjustments to match different pallet sizes.
- Ground Clearance: The amount of space between the floor and the base of the truck.
- Lift Height: The maximum height the forks can reach.
FAQs
What are the three major parts of a forklift?
Each forklift is made of three main sections: the mast, the carriage/forks, and the counterweight.
What is load center?
Load center is an essential part of safety because it determines the forklift’s rated capacity. Load center is calculated based on the horizontal distance from the forks to the load’s center of gravity (usually 24 inches).
What’s the difference between cushion and pneumatic tires?
Cushion tires are made of solid rubber, and they work best on smooth indoor floors. Pneumatic tires are built for traction and have deep tread so that they can navigate rougher outdoor surfaces.
Talk to the Forklift Experts for More Information
While forklift terminology for beginners can be a great place to start when you are familiarizing yourself with the industry, it’s helpful to talk to an expert team for more information. We offer a range of forklift options, giving you the best solutions for your projects.
Reach out to us at BullDog Forklifts for forklift rentals, sales, maintenance, or services. Contact us to learn more.