The steering system is one of the most important elements of equipment and machines that transport and lift loads in warehouses or construction sites. In the case of forklifts, their steering systems are subjected to very high loads during maneuvers and movement. Check what types of steering systems exist and what the steering actuator in forklifts is used for.
What is a hydraulic actuator?
An actuator, often called a cylinder, is a device in which energy is converted into motion. In the hydraulic version of the actuator, the pressure of working fluid present in the hydraulic system is used to generate motion. Specialized oils are most commonly used, but it can also be water.
The most popular type of hydraulic actuator is an actuator with fluid that acts directly on the rod or piston rod. Thanks to the movement of the piston, mechanical elements of systems in the machine or device are moved, including the steering system. Hydraulic actuators are found in many transport and construction machines, including excavators, forklifts, cranes and pumps. In forklifts, due to the specifics of their construction, the most important actuator is the steering actuator.
What is the purpose of a steering actuator in a forklift?
When it comes to the steering actuator, a forklift requires precise operation of this important element. The steering actuator serves to set the steered wheels in motion by pushing them when turning right or left during steering.
The power steering actuator in a forklift consists of double-piston cylinders. They exert equal force in each direction. Opposite piston rods in the actuator act with reverse force to the applied one, thanks to which the steering wheel returns to its natural position.
Forklift steering systems with steering actuator
In forklifts, we can distinguish three types of systems:
- mechanical steering system;
- mechanical steering system with power assistance;
- hydrostatic steering system.
Each of them has a different construction. It is precisely in the mechanical system with power assistance that steering actuators occur. Its construction is similar to the construction of a system without assistance. The main difference is the presence of an additional hydraulic circuit, which significantly improves steering and all maneuvers performed with the forklift. The most important part of this type of system is the steering actuator. It assists the movement of the steering wheel during steering movements. The steering actuator is powered by hydraulic oil thanks to a valve controlling the flow. After the steering wheel returns to its natural position, the valve closes the oil flow.
The second system in which a steering actuator occurs is the hydrostatic system. Its most important part is the hydraulic distributor, which is connected on one side to the hydraulic actuator and on the other to the steering wheel. The actuator acts on the wheel switches of their steered axes. The hydrostatic system is protected by a valve that effectively limits pressure increase and controls its level. Thanks to such a solution, the steering wheel turn is proportional to the turn performed by the wheels.
