Forklift Engines
Forklifts are classified as small-engine vehicles, the same class in which lawnmowers are categorized. The engines of the forklifts all follow the principles of internal combustion. Different forklift models and brand names will have varying engine layout and design. Forklifts are designed more toward generating high torque rather than for speed. They usually are geared to low speeds. The engine powers the forklift's drive wheels. The engine is also needed to lower and raise the forks via a series of chain pulleys. Nearly all modern forklift engines are powered by propane since they would be utilized indoors, where gasoline and diesel engines would be unsuitable because of the exhaust they make.
Usually, the lift truck is a four-cylinder engine-block. The engines of the forklift are like automobile engines as they contain pistons connecting to a camshaft. The head of each cylinder has an intake hatch, an exhaust hatch and a spark plug, 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 coming from the mass air intake before moving into the head intake hatches of the cylinder. Each one of the four pistons is staggered to rise in an exact sequence, compressing the propane and air mixture as each piston rises to the top of the head. With timing which is really precise, the alternator and battery of the engine produce 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, resulting in 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 compared to gasoline and diesel and the exhaust is not as harmful.