Forklift Engines
Forklifts are classified as vehicles with small engines, the same category in which lawnmowers are categorized. The engines of the forklifts all follow the principles of internal combustion. Different lift truck models and brand names would have varying engine design and layout. Forklifts are made more toward producing high torque rather than for speed. They normally are geared to low speeds. The engine runs the forklift's drive wheels. The engine is also required to lift and lower the forks through a series of chain pulleys. The majority of forklift engines which are modern are powered by propane since they will be utilized for indoor applications, where gasoline and diesel engines would be unsuitable because of the exhaust they make.
A four-cylinder engine-block is typically found in a lift truck. Much like the engine in small cars, forklift engines have cylinders containing pistons connecting to a camshaft. Every cylinder head consists of a spark plug, an intake hatch 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 operator starts up the engine of the forklift. This fine spray mixes together with air coming from the mass air intake prior to moving into the head intake hatches of the cylinder. Each one of the four pistons is staggered to rise in a precise sequence, that compresses the mixture of propane and air as each piston rises to the top of the head. With extremely precise timing, the alternator and battery of the engine generate an electrical current which passes through the spark plug. The fuel ignites leading to an explosion that drives the piston back down to the bottom of the cylinder, resulting in a continuous turning of the camshaft. In the cylinder, an air pressure imbalance causes the the exhaust hatch to draw out exhaust when more fuel passes into the cylinder. Propane burns a lot cleaner compared to gasoline and diesel and the exhaust is not as harmful.