Lift truck Engines
Forklifts are classified as small-engine vehicles. Forklift engines all follow the principles of internal combustion, while the many models and makes of lift truck would have a different layout and design. Forklifts are designed more toward generating high torque rather than for speed. They generally are geared to low speeds. The engine powers the forklift's drive wheels. The engine is also required to lower and lift the forks through a series of chain pulleys. Nearly all forklift engines that are modern are fueled by propane as they would be used indoors, where diesel and gasoline engines will be unsuitable due to the exhaust they produce.
A four-cylinder engine-block is normally found in a lift truck. Much similar to the engine in small cars, the engines of the forklift 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 one-way and spring-loaded.
Engine Function
Propane passes through the opened throttle-plate in a fine spray, once the driver starts up the engine of the forklift. This fine spray mixes together with air that comes from the mass air intake prior to moving into the cylinder's head intake hatches. Each one of the four pistons is staggered to rise in a precise sequence, which compresses the propane and air mixture as each piston rises to the top of the head. With really precise timing, the alternator and battery of the engine generate an electrical current which 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 the exhaust hatch to draw out exhaust as more fuel passes into the cylinder. Propane burns a lot cleaner than diesel and gasoline and the exhaust is not as harmful.