Forklifts and telehandlers specifications and technical data
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Clark C55SL Specifications

Basic Information

The Clark C55SL is a 5.5-tonne (12,000 lb) capacity, LPG-powered, seated rider forklift, engineered for powerful performance in demanding material handling applications. As a core model in Clark's C-Series, this forklift is designed for intensive use in industries such as heavy manufacturing, lumber yards, and distribution centers.

Powered by a General Motors V6 4.3 L LPG engine, it delivers responsive power and reliable operation. Its robust construction, pneumatic tires, and choice of duplex or triplex clear-view uprights ensure productive, safe, and efficient operation in high-capacity environments. Operator comfort and safety features, including hydrostatic power steering and maintenance-free wet disc brakes, contribute to exceptional handling performance.

The Clark C55SL is a counterbalanced pneumatic tire forklift truck designed for versatility and safety. It operates on LPG and is controlled by a seated operator. Its rated load capacity is 5500 kg (12125 lb) at a 500 mm (19.7 in) load centre. The load distance from the drive axle centre to the fork face measures 598 mm (23.5 in), and the truck has a wheelbase of 2100 mm (82.7 in). The service weight of the truck when unladen is 7351 kg (16206 lb). When fully laden, the axle loading on the front axle is 11581 kg (25532 lb) and on the rear axle is 1270 kg (2800 lb). When unladen, these figures shift to 2932 kg (6464 lb) on the front and 4419 kg (9742 lb) on the rear.

Engine Specs

Basic Technical Data: The heart of the Clark C55SL is the General Motors V6 4.3 L engine, a six-cylinder LPG unit. It has a total displacement of 4.3 L (262 cu.in). The engine is rated to produce 66.3 kW (88.9 hp) at a rated speed of 2400 rpm. The engine features a 4-cylinder configuration in some variants, with PSI 4X engine also available producing 58.7 kW.

Lubrication and Cooling: The system is designed to support continuous operation in demanding conditions. The engine employs a forced lubrication system to protect internal components. Daily checks include engine oil level verification. Liquid cooling is maintained by a belt-driven centrifugal water pump and a radiator designed for efficient heat dissipation. The cooling system should be inspected for leaks, and coolant level checked between HOT and COLD marks regularly. PM time intervals are established for coolant changes.

Drive Train

Transmission: The C55SL is equipped with a two-gear automatic transmission. This transmission allows for smooth direction changes, enhancing operator efficiency and reducing fatigue. It features one forward gear and one reverse gear, providing simple and intuitive control. Transmission fluid level should be checked daily, with transmission fluid MS-276A specified for use.

Travel Speed: The forklift achieves a maximum travel speed of 23.6 km/h (14.7 mph) when fully laden and 21.6 km/h (13.4 mph) when unladen. The reverse speeds are consistent with forward speeds, ensuring reliable maneuverability in both directions.

Axles and Brakes:The truck uses a drive axle configuration with two or four driven wheels on the front (2x2 / 4x2) depending on configuration. The service brake system features wet disc brakes. Daily inspection of the brake system for obvious damage and leaks is required. Parking brake is mechanical.

Electrical System

The electrical system operates at 12V. The system is responsible for starting the LPG engine and powering all lights and operator interface components. Daily electrical system inspection is recommended. The system features moisture-resistant electrical connectors for durability. A daily forklift check includes verifying warning plates and decals are present and legible.

Wheels and Tires

The Clark C55SL is fitted with pneumatic tires, designed for traction and comfort on various indoor and outdoor surfaces. It has four or six wheels in total depending on configuration, with the front two or four being the driven wheels. The front tire size is 300 x 15 - 20PR (300 mm x 381 mm). The rear tire size is 7.00 x 12 - 14PR (178 mm x 305 mm).

The front tread width measures 1165 mm (45.9 in) with a variant width of 1288 mm (50.7 in). The rear tread width is 1134 mm (44.6 in). Daily inspection includes checking condition of tires and wheels, removing embedded objects, checking air pressure, and checking for missing or loose wheel lug nuts.

The Clark C55SL features hydrostatic power steering that eliminates steering kick-back. The steering axle has pivotal bearings mounted in rubber steel elements for durability and vibration dampening. The double acting steer cylinder ensures precise and direct steering. A priority distributor ensures steering priority in all conditions.

The steering system and steer axle should be inspected periodically for abnormal looseness, damage, and leaking seals. Changes in steering action such as hard steering or excessive freeplay indicate a need for inspection or servicing. The mast and fork carriage can tilt forward by 8 degrees and backward by 10 degrees to facilitate load handling and secure transport.

Hydraulic System

The hydraulic system is a core component for lift and tilt operations. It features a full-flow reverse filter that filters the oil to the tank at each reverse flow, while rough particles are filtered directly via a suction filter to prevent contamination, ensuring a long service life for all hydraulic components. A high-capacity pump provides adequate oil supply for the upright and the hydrostatic steering. The hydraulic tank capacity is 20 gallons (75.7 L).

Load handling is controlled via a load-sensitive and precise control valve. A safety valve provides extra safety and prevents uncontrolled lowering of the load at all times. Operating pressure for attachments is up to 140 bar (2030 psi) maximum, with a rated flow for attachments up to 35 L/min (9.2 gpm) maximum. Hydraulic fluid MS-68 is specified. Hydraulic system pressure is rated at 2755 psi.

Mast Data

The Clark C55SL is equipped with clear-view uprights available in Standard (Duplex) and Triplex versions. With the mast fully lowered, the height to the top of the mast is 2492 mm (98.1 in). The free lift, which is the height the forks can rise before the mast itself begins to extend, is 166 mm (6.5 in). The maximum lift height for the standard configuration is 3300 mm (129.9 in), at which point the mast extends to a total height of 4552 mm (179.2 in) including the load backrest.

Triplex masts offer lift heights up to 4.3 m. The fork carriage is DIN 15173 class IV A and has a width of 1348 mm (53.1 in) with a variant width of 1678 mm (66.1 in). Regular maintenance includes checking lift chain adjustment and wear, lubricating lift chains every 50-250 hours, and checking for rust, corrosion, cracked plates, raised or turned pins, tight joints, and chain wear.

Load Capacity

Load Capacity - 12,125 lb (5,500 kg)
Load Centre - 19.7 in (500 mm)

Performance Data

The lift speed for the 5500 kg (12125 lb) rated load is 0.44 m/s (86.6 ft/min) when laden and 0.53 m/s (104.3 ft/min) when unladen. Lowering speed is controlled at 0.50 m/s (98.4 ft/min) for laden and 0.47 m/s (92.5 ft/min) for unladen conditions. The maximum drawbar pull, a measure of tractive effort, is 33146 N (7452 lbf) for a laden truck and 14543 N (3270 lbf) for an unladen truck. The maximum gradeability is recorded as 26.7%.

Dimensions and Weight

The overall length of the truck, including the forks, is 4533 mm (178.5 in). The length from the front face of the backrest to the fork face is 3313 mm (130.4 in). The overall width of the truck is 1400 mm (55.1 in) with a variant width of 1742 mm (68.6 in). The standard forks have dimensions of 60 mm (2.4 in) thick, 150 mm (5.9 in) wide, and 1219 mm (48 in) long.

The height of the standard overhead guard is 2324 mm (91.5 in). The seat height is 1265 mm (49.8 in). The coupling height for towing is 460 mm (18.1 in). Ground clearance minimum below the mast is 177 mm (7.0 in). At the centre of the wheelbase, ground clearance is 221 mm (8.7 in).

For maneuvering in aisles, the right-angle stacking aisle width for pallets measuring 1000 by 1200 mm (39.4 by 47.2 in) with the 1200 mm (47.2 in) side across the width of the truck is 4869 mm (191.7 in). For pallets 800 by 1200 mm (31.5 by 47.2 in) with the 1200 mm (47.2 in) side along the length of the truck, the required aisle width is 5069 mm (199.6 in). The outer turning radius is 3071 mm (120.9 in), and the internal turning radius is 1020 mm (40.2 in). The total operating weight of the truck is 7351 kg (16206 lb).

Maintenance Data

Planned maintenance intervals are based on truck operating hours:

50-250 Hourly Lift Chain Maintenance: Inspect and lubricate lift chains, checking for rust, corrosion, cracked plates, raised or turned pins, tight joints, and wear. Replace chain if a section is 3% longer than new chain.

450 Hourly / 6 Monthly Maintenance: Visually inspect truck and components, test drive, air clean truck and radiator, check torque on critical fasteners, lubricate truck, replace LPG engine oil and filter, inspect and adjust fan belts.

Steering System Inspection: Inspect periodically for abnormal looseness, damage, and leaking seals. Check steering operation through full turns.

Engine Cooling System Maintenance: Check coolant level between HOT and COLD marks, inspect for leaks, ensure engine oil is free of coolant, check for excessive contamination in coolant, inspect radiator cap seal and filler neck.

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