Forklifts are useful equipment that simplifies the task of lifting heavy loads. When seen closely, you will find that these consist of superior-quality acceleration and braking equipment. This helps the vehicle to stop smoothly, even with a full load.
Buy a Forklift with Proper Brakes
When buying a forklift, note its brakes. This helps you understand its performance details and gives you a heads-up about replacement needs. Forklift brakes are generally assembled based on the type of equipment and its load-bearing facilities.
Popular Types of Forklift Brakes
In general, you can find different types of brakes in a forklift.
- Drum & Shore Brakes: As the name suggests, this brake consists of two parts. One is the drum, a cylindrical component that rotates the wheel. The other equipment is the brake shoe, which is inside the drum. It is essentially a friction material that helps stop the forklift smoothly.
- Air Brakes: This brake is generally operated by compressed air that presses on the actuator. It applies heavy mechanical force to the brake shoe or pad. You can generally find these brakes in the high-end, heavy-duty forklifts. These brakes require an engine-driven air compressor where the air pressure is heavily controlled.
- Hydrostatic Drive Brakes: In this system, the forklift prevents hydraulic oil flow from the engine. This fluid makes the vehicle go forward. When you apply the brakes, you can observe a natural braking effect as the oil cannot exhaust out of the wheel motors. You can find the hydrostatic drive brakes in a few forklift and aerial lift models.
- Disc Brakes: These brakes consist of three main components: a rotor, hydraulic or air-operated calliper, and friction pads. They are commonly found in the front axle of most motor vehicles. The system also contains brake lines and hoses, which supply brake fluids to the assemblies.
- Dynamic or Regenerative Braking: These braking systems are found in modern forklift models. The brakes use magnetism in the drive motors to slow down the drive motor armature. This simply changes the direction of the wheel from forward to reverse and makes the vehicle stop.
These are some common braking systems that you can commonly spot in forklifts. If you want to get the components from a trusted source, contact Jim Jack Services Ltd. We are a trusted name that manufactures top-quality forklift brakes. Our components are highly functional and find multi-purpose use across industries. For more details, you can visit our website today.