Most forklifts are counterbalanced forklifts, just like seesaws, so the first step is to determine the center of gravity of the load. This center of gravity is called the loading center and it is half the length of the pallet. For instance, if the size of the pallet is 1000mm in length × 1200mm in width, then the load center is 500mm. The loading center of forklifts is mostly 500mm or 600mm. Therefore, to know the standard loading center of a forklift, it is necessary to look it up from the specification sheet or forklift drawing of that model of forklift. The tonnage of a forklift refers to the load value it can handle when loading, unloading and transporting goods. It is designed based on the structural strength of each part, the pressure and stability of the hydraulic system, etc. The stability of a balanced forklift, in a nutshell, is the lever principle (seesaw). In a critical state, if there is a slight force acting on the side of the goods, the forklift will tilt forward.
In vehicle design, the safety factor is generally set at ≥1.4 to ensure the safe operation of forklifts. The load curve graph represents the relationship between the allowable load and the load center. Operating within the range of the load table values can prevent accidents from occurring.
A comparison between internal combustion forklifts and electric forklifts
The features and working environment of internal combustion forklifts
Balanced diesel forklifts are relatively large in size, but they have good stability and are suitable for heavy loads. Their service life is not limited and they are generally used outdoors. Compared with gasoline engines, diesel engines have better power performance (less likely to stall at low speeds, stronger overload capacity, and better long-term operation capability), and lower fuel costs. However, it has large vibration, high noise, large displacement, heavy weight, high price, and its load capacity can range from 0.5 tons to 45 tons.
(2) Balanced gasoline forklifts are relatively large in size, but they have good stability and are suitable for heavy loads. There is no time limit to their use, and they are generally used outdoors. Gasoline engines are small in size, light in weight, have high output power, low working noise and vibration, and are low in price. However, the overload capacity and long-term operating ability of gasoline engines are relatively poor, and the fuel cost is also quite high. The load capacity ranges from 0.5 tons to 4.5 tons.
(3) Balanced liquefied petroleum gas forklifts (referred to as LPG for short) are forklifts equipped with liquefied petroleum gas conversion devices on balanced gasoline forklifts, thus becoming LPG forklifts. The use of gasoline and liquefied gas can be switched through the conversion switch. The advantages of LPG forklifts are good exhaust emissions, with carbon monoxide (CO) emissions significantly lower than those of gasoline engines, low fuel costs (15 kilograms of liquefied gas is equivalent to 20 liters of gasoline), and they are suitable for indoor operations with high environmental requirements.
