Raw Materials
The cab, body, frame and boom of a telescoping boom rough terrain forklift are normally made by a forklift manufacturer. The most common material used for these subassemblies is steel, because of its tremendous strength. At times steel forgings or aluminum are also used. It is common for non-metallic materials like for instance nylon plastic blocks to be used as guides within the boom assembly. The other components are typically purchased as finished products and the lift truck maker installs them.
Some of the pre-assembled purchased products consist of the transmission, seat, axles, engine, hoses, tires and wheels, lights, back-up alarms, hydraulic cylinders and gauges. Normally, certain materials such as the fuel and lubricants and hydraulic fluids are purchased in bulk. These liquids are added as required once the machine is assembled and has passed the meticulous testing sessions.
Design
The common design which is most standard of telescoping boom rough terrain forklifts is a narrow and long design which has a set of wheels at the front of the model and another set located towards the rear of the equipment. The boom part of the unit is mounted at the back of the forklift off of a pivot feature which is raised several feet above the frame's level. Normally, the cab is mounted on the left-hand side of the frame structure. Usually, the bottom half of the cab is low and located between the tires. The hydraulic fuel tank and the fuel tank are mounted on the right-hand side, opposite the cab. Along the vehicle's center-line, the engine and the transmission are mounted inside the frame.
Beyond this basic configuration, various manufacturers have contributed to their own unique design. On the market nowadays, there are numerous options available. Certain units of forklifts make use of a single hydraulic cylinder in order to raise the boom, and other models make use of 2 cylinders. Several units make use of a side-to-side hydraulic frame leveling capability. This particular feature allows the frame to tilt up to 10 degrees relative to the axles so as to enable the equipment to compensate for extreme axle articulation. Like for example, this is utilized when the tires on one side of the lift truck are situated down in a rut and the tires on the other side of the machine are up, situated on a mound of dirt.
One more popular design feature comprises fork attachments which are capable of swinging up to 45 degrees both right and left, in order to enable accurate load placement.