Forklifts use a combination of hydraulics, a pulley system and other things to lift heavy materials across different distances. They are commonly used in warehouses, construction sites and other places that need to transport lots of heavy materials. We know where it’s used, but how does a forklift work? To answer that, we put together this guide to break down what a forklift is used for, its different parts and how it works.
Since the invention of the first “forklift” (which was originally called a truck tractor) about 100 years ago, forklifts have become a nearly universal sight in most materials handling workplaces. These amazing machines harness the power of physics to lift heavy loads to impossible heights, sometimes several stories above the height of the forklift itself, and most modern lift trucks accomplish this feat with little physical effort and minimal risk to the operator.
New developments in efficient power usage, operator safety, and sophisticated stability controls allow leaner machines to accomplish meaner tasks. At this point, the cost, efficiency, and safety of most standard forklifts make them an indispensable business resource. In fact, if your business depends on heavy manual tasks like loading, unloading, and pallet lifting, your forklift investment may pay for itself several times over.
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A conveyor belt works by using two motorized pulleys that loop over a long stretch of thick, durable material. When motors in the pulleys operate at the same speed and spin in the same direction, the belt moves between the two.
If objects are particularly heavy or bulky — or if the conveyor belt is carrying them for a long distance or duration — rollers may be placed on the sides of the conveyor belt for support. Rollers keep objects in place and keep the belt from sagging.
As a rotor turns, the conveyor belt will turn as well due to the intense friction between the rotor wheel and the belt. This turning motion of the rotor causes one side of the belt to move in one direction, while the other moves in the opposite direction. This means that both wheels must always be moving in relatively the same direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. If the two rotor wheels moved in opposite directions, the conveyor belt would not travel at all.
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