Bar Mount Forks
This is one of two major lift-truck fork-mounting designs. Sometimes referred to as pin-mount forks. Such a design features a cylinder (or tube) at top, through which runs a round bar that attaches the forks to the lift-truck carriage. In order to completely remove the forks from the lift truck, it is necessary to disassemble and remove the suspension bar. Bar mount forks are usually (but not always) seen on heavy-capacity trucks. Of particular interest is the angle of suspension of the forks (see illustration). The forks will either hang straight down or angle outward, then down. A tracing of this fork suspension angle is needed at the time an order is placed. LTS is one of the few manufacturers able to custom-build a system for any bar-mount special-option lift truck.
Carriage
A plate-like apparatus that supports the forks and travels up and down the mast. There are two major carriage designs – one for lift trucks with the cleat-type fork mounting and one for those having bar-mounted forks.
Cleat-Type Forks
Also known as “hook-type.” These forks hook over the top of the lift-truck carriage plate. They can easily be removed in most cases by simply lifting the forks up and off the carriage plate. However, in designs where a bottom cleat is also present, such forks are removed by sliding them off toward the side.
Flexures
Rugged spring steel support devices that connect the fork-bearing front plate of the scale carriage to the rear plate. The flexures bear the weight of the load and transfer the weight to the load cell. The use of flexures enhances accuracy while protecting the sensitive load cell from the rigors and shock of normal lift-truck operation.
Fork-to-Fork Accuracy
Accuracy and repeatability of the weighing operation without regard to the manner in which the weight is distributed on the forks.
Heel-to-Toe Accuracy
See “Clear-Type Forks”, above.
Hysteresis
Generically defined as the failure of a property changed by and external influence to return to its original value when the cause of the change is removed. As an effect upon a scale mechanism, refers to a distortion of the electromagnetic wave pattern caused by inherent variables. While hysteresis is a design consideration, LTS engineering advances have resulted in a system refined to such an extent that hysteresis is negligible and not significant concern.
Linearity
With respect to lift-truck scales, refers to achieving a minimal but consistent error rate, when expressed as a percentage. This pattern will form a straight line when plotted on a chart. For instance, if there is an error of 100 lbs. when weighing a 10,000 lb. load, when weighing a 5,000 lb. load, the error should not exceed 50lbs. In both cases, the error is once percent (1%). With half the load, there is half the error, expressed in pounds of gross weight. But the percentage remained constant.
Load Cell
An “S” shaped metal component that converts an applied force into an electronic signal. The load cell receives the stress of the entire load, transferred to it from the flexures.
Mast
The heavy, vertical, frame-like structure that is part of the lift truck. The carriage travels up and down the mast, and the mast supports the carriage.
Repeatability
The ability of the lift-truck scale to display the same weight for the same item or load, repetitiously, irrespective of the interim time-lapse, the placement o the load on the forks, or similar factors.
Safety Bolts
Two rugged Grade-8 steel bolts that secure the load if the flexures fail, preventing loss of the load and protecting the load cell.
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