Raw Materials
The telescoping boom rough terrain forklift's body, cab, frame and boom are generally made by a forklift manufacturer. Steel is the most common materials utilized to make these as they have incredible strength. At times aluminum or steel forgings are used too. It is common for non-metallic materials like nylon plastic blocks to be utilized as guides in the boom assembly. The other components are usually bought as finished products and the forklift manufacturer installs them.
Several of the pre-assembled purchased products include the transmission, seat, axles, engine, hoses, tires and wheels, lights, back-up alarms, hydraulic cylinders and gauges. Most often, some materials like the hydraulic fluid and fuel and lubricants are purchased in bulk. These liquids are added as needed once the machinery 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 situated towards the rear of the machine. The unit's boom is mounted at the forklift's back off of a pivot feature that is elevated a few feet above the frame's level. Normally, the cab is mounted on the left-hand side of the frame structure. Typically, the cab's bottom half is low and located between the tires. The fuel tank and the hydraulic fuel tank are mounted on the right-hand side, opposite the cab. Along the center-line of the vehicle, the engine and the transmission are mounted inside the frame.
Beyond this basic configuration, different manufacturers have contributed to their own unique design. On the market now, there are numerous options available. Some units of forklifts make use of a single hydraulic cylinder to be able to elevate the boom, and other units make use of 2 cylinders. Several models use a side-to-side hydraulic frame leveling capability. This particular feature enables the frame to tilt up to 10 degrees relative to the axles so as to enable the machinery to compensate for extreme axle articulation. For instance, this is used when the tires on one side of the forklift are situated down in a rut and the tires on the other side of the equipment are up, situated on a mound of dirt.
Another common design feature comprises fork attachments which are capable of swinging up to 45 degrees both left and right, in order to enable precise load placement.