Lift Truck | Industry Lingo

Empower yourself with the language of insiders. We decipher the arcane terms, epigrammatic abbreviations, and weird words used in the Lift Truck industry.

Adjustable Forks

An option of lift trucks that move left and right for narrower or wider loads.

Battery Charging Station

An area to safely remove a lift truck battery and replace it with a new or recharged one.

Capacity Plate

A small plaque affixed to every lift truck that describes its operating parameters, lift capacity, and other safety information.

CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)

Clean-burning fuel that produces low emissions. Considered safer than others because it rises into the atmosphere if there is a leak.

Cushion Tires

Lift truck tires made of solid rubber -- best for indoor use.

Data Plate

See capacity plate.

Dual Steer

Allows the lift truck operator to control the movement of the vehicle from the front or the rear.

Electric Lift Trucks

Electric lift trucks are the cheapest to operate, quiet, produce zero emissions, and are best for indoor use. They are best for heavy lifting in warehouses and manufacturing plants. Electric-powered lift trucks have few moving parts and are used in clean environments so they have a longer lifespan than gas or diesel-fueled models.

Extendable Forks

An add-on for lift trucks that expands the reach of the vehicle to safely hold more material. They allow for double-deep loading, which is stacking pallets in front of each other.

Fork Positioner

Allows the lift truck operator to stay on the truck while adjusting the forks. Useful for businesses that work with many different crate and pallet sizes.

Internal Combustion Lift Trucks (IC)

IC lift trucks can run on gasoline, diesel fuel, liquid propane (LP), or compressed natural gas (CNG). The fuel burns in a traditional engine and can easily be refueled. These types of lift trucks are best for the largest load capacities – 15,000 pounds or more – and for outdoor use.

Lead-acid Battery

Similar to a car battery but larger and more powerful. It features enough power for an eight-hour shift or five to six hours of non-stop use. Typically, lift truck batteries need to charge for eight hours then cool for another eight hours before use.

Load Capacity

The maximum weight lift trucks can safely move.  It’s listed on the capacity plate, and can change depending on the configuration.

Narrow Aisle (NA) Lift Trucks

Electric lift trucks specifically designed to navigate through warehouse aisles that are eight to ten feet wide. These vehicles use forks that are turned at a right angle from the body of the truck, allowing drivers to drive straight down aisles but pick up loads to the side without turning. (see also: very narrow aisle lift trucks)

Operator Platform

Since narrow aisle lift trucks raise and lower the operator along with the machine, these platforms provide better visibility and control when working with loads 20 to 30 feet up.

Optical Systems

Or wire guidance systems. Runs the length of a warehouse aisle to keep the lift trucks on a consistently straight path. This allows the lift truck operator to focus on picking and placing loads.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They lay the guidelines for lift truck operator training and licensing. OSHA regulations require lift truck drivers to be over 18 years old, pass classroom training and a special driver test, and get re-certified every three years.

Pneumatic Tires

Rubber tires filled with compressed air, typically found on rough terrain lift trucks. Pneumatic tires are best for outdoor use thanks to their traction and cushioning, which helps navigate on rutted ground and uneven terrain. (see also: solid pneumatic tires)

Preventative Maintenance (PM) Plan

A warranty program provided by the dealer that takes care of oil and filter changes, transmission maintenance, and general tune-ups on a regular basis.

Quad Motion

Allows the lift truck to maneuver in four directions: front to back and side to side.

Roll Clamp

Lift truck attachment that allows you to move large paper or carpet rolls.

Rough Terrain Lift Trucks

Lift trucks for outdoor use that are powered by internal combustion and built to handle large loads. They feature pneumatic tires that allow the lift trucks to accelerate over uneven surfaces in lumberyards, construction sites, and landscaping jobs.

Side Loading Lift Trucks

These vehicles feature forks that are fixed at a 90 degree angle for loading pallets perpendicular to the lift truck’s travel path. Swing mast trucks are similar, but their forks can pivot to a traditional configuration. See narrow aisle lift trucks.

Sideshift

A lift truck option that allows the driver to move the fork carriage left and right without moving the vehicle. A sideshift gives the operator more precision placement capabilities.

Solid Pneumatic Tires

Made of solid rubber, but knobbed for better traction. Best for lift trucks in outdoor environments that have broken glass and other sharp objects on the ground that can puncture standard pneumatic tires. (see also: pneumatic tires)

Support Legs

The support legs help stabilize the lift truck, preventing it from shaking at greater lift heights.

Swing Mast

Swing masts allow the forks to turn to a 90 degree angle for loading pallets perpendicular to the vehicle’s travel path. Side loading lift trucks are similar, but have forks permanently set at 90 degrees. See narrow aisle lift trucks.

Swing Reach

Compact lift truck attachment that allows easy maneuvering to fill and store pallet loads in narrow aisles.

Tilt Mast

Allows operators to change the angle of the forks. Helps loading on uneven ground and provides greater stability while moving loaded lift trucks.

Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Lift Trucks

Or turret truck. Similar to narrow aisle lift trucks, but specifically designed to navigate aisles that are six feet wide.

Zero Emissions

A motor or engine in a lift truck that doesn’t produce harmful carbon monoxide or other exhaust. Currently applies only to electric lift trucks.