Articulated lift truck

Abstract

A self-propelled lift truck comprising a forward carriage assembly, which includes a pair of spaced apart ground engageable wheels and a vertical mast on which is mounted a forwardly projecting fork assembly for lifting and lowering of loads thereon by relative upward and downward movement and a rearward carriage assembly which includes at least one ground engageable wheel and on which is supported a power source for operating components of the lift truck. The forward and rearward carriage assemblies are connected by an articulated support assembly which includes forward, intermediate and rearward transversely spaced apart support members. The foremost ends of the forward support members are pivotally attached to the forward carriage assembly. The rearmost ends of the rearward support members are pivotally attached to the rearward carriage assembly. Power devices connected to at least one of the forward support members and one of the rearward support members are activatable to effect relative angular displacement of the support members so the forward and rearward support members are in vertically folded positions adjacent each other to move the rearward carriage assembly immediately adjacent and to the rear of the forward carriage assembly.