Lift truck Engines
Forklifts are classified as small-engine vehicles. Forklift engines all follow the principles of internal combustion, while the numerous models and makes of forklift would have a different layout and design. Forklifts are designed more toward producing high torque than for speed. They generally are geared to low speeds. The engine powers the forklift's drive wheels. The engine is also required to raise and lower the forks via a series of chain pulleys. The majority of forklift engines that are modern are powered by propane since they would be utilized indoors, where diesel and gasoline engines would be inappropriate due to the exhaust they generate.
A four-cylinder engine-block is typically found in a lift truck. Much similar to the engine in small cars, the engines of the forklift have cylinders that contain pistons connecting to a camshaft. The head of every cylinder has an exhaust hatch, a spark plug and an exhaust hatch, each of them spring-loaded and one-way.
Engine Function
Propane passes through the opened throttle-plate in a fine spray, when the driver starts up the forklift engine. This fine spray mixes together with air that comes from the mass air intake before moving into the cylinder's head intake hatches. Each and every one of the four pistons is staggered to rise in a precise sequence, which compresses the mixture of air and propane as each piston rises to the top of the head. With extremely precise timing, the engine's battery and alternator create an electrical current that passes through the spark plug. The fuel ignites resulting in an explosion which drives the piston back down to the bottom of the cylinder, leading to a continuous turning of the camshaft. In the cylinder, an air pressure imbalance causes the exhaust to be drawn out through the exhaust hatch as more fuel passes into the cylinder. Propane burns cleaner than gasoline and diesel and the exhaust is not as harmful.