Explore how a forklift lifts, balances and moves a load — and why its compact design matters.
Follow the load from the forks to the ground. Explore the mast, hydraulic lift and counterweight, then connect each system to the machine as a whole.
Hydraulic cylinders move the lifting mechanism. The mast guides the carriage, while the lifting arrangement determines how motion reaches the forks.
Read the explanation →In a counterbalanced forklift, the rear counterweight helps balance the load ahead of the front axle. Stability also depends on load position, height and operating conditions.
Read the explanation →Many counterbalanced forklifts steer with the rear wheels, allowing tight manoeuvres. The rear of the truck swings as it turns.
Read the explanation →Explore the history of technology and the mechanical principles shared across generations.
Explore history →Explore principles →From bucket to chassis: following the forces through a working machine.
Planned topicReach, balance and control: the engineering behind lifting at scale.
Planned topic