Without a properly functioning forklift radiator, the engine of your lifting vehicle can overheat and sustain severe damage—the best you can do when your forklift radiator shows deterioration signs it would be replaced imminently. At Lift Parts Warehouse, we know that buying a brand new forklift radiator can seem daunting. But don't worry; we want to make your purchase experience more accessible. We're going to share some practical tips you should know about this essential cooling component and some considerations you should keep in mind when buying a new forklift radiator replacement online.
To receive the hot coolant coming from the engine.
To deliver the fluid at a low temperature.
Forklift radiator location
In this way, a cooler coolant circulates again through the engine body, regulating the engine temperature in the process. This cooling device is found only in forklift models powered by internal combustion engines. Depending on the models, its size can vary considerably.
Main Radiator Parts
Header / Tank.
Cap.
Fin.
Tubes.
Core.
Coolant Outlet.
Coolant Inlet.
Main forklift radiator parts
How does a Radiator Work?
Since the radiator is a part of the cooling system, its function begins when it receives the hot coolant from the engine body in the upper radiator tank through the inlet hose.
Inside this tank, the fluid temperature causes a pressure increase. This pressure can make it difficult for more coolant to get into the tank. For this reason, the radiator cap acts as a pressure regulator. It addresses a quantity of hot coolant to an overflow tank. To know more about radiator caps, click here.
The hot coolant from the upper tank passes into the core. It is the most significant part of the radiator where the heat exchange is carried out. The coolant travels through the row tubes while the air flows outside them. The fin's purpose is to maximize the superficial area and optimize the cooling process. The below video explains in more detail this process:
The air current that passes through the core comes from a fan. To know more about fans in Forklift cooling systems, click here.
When the coolant ends its route inside the core, it arrives at the bottom radiator tank with a suitable temperature to return to the engine body through a hose. To know more about radiator hoses, click here.
Some forklifts use a radiator design that works as an air cooler to lower the transmission oil temperature. To know more about forklift oil coolers, click here.
Radiator Types
The radiator type depends on the core set. Below are the most common forklift radiators types:
Tubular core: The pipes connect the upper tank with the bottom tank. The coolant passes through the tubes, and cooling air flows outside them. The fins set is located around the piping to maximize the heat transference.
Cellular core: The core consists of numerous cells that create a honeycomb appearance. The air flows through the pipes, and the hot coolant passes surrounding these tubes.
How to Choose the Right Forklift Radiator Replacement?
Dimensions: Confirm the radiator's dimensions to be replaced ( Depth, core height, core width, fill neck, and fins per inch).
Inlet and outlet ports: Verify that the radiator connection sizes match with the relative hoses. In case the radiator has an oil cooler, also check the center and fitting dimension.
Material construction: Radiator designs could have copper, brass, or aluminum. A copper-brass radiator offers a good heat transference and is easy to repair. Some new forklift models have a device with plastic tanks and an aluminum core. The advantages of using this design are a good performance of heat transfer and less radiator weight.
Radiator aluminum core type with plastic tanks
Core patterns: The radiator core can have a flat fin, corrugated fins (u or v type), or square wave. Depending on the use of the core pattern, the device will offer some advantages:
Resistant to clogging.
Avoid the capture of dirt and debris.
Best performance in dirty extreme conditions.
Most common forklift radiator core patterns
What are the Common Signs of a Defective Radiator?
There is rust on the radiator.
Leakage coming from the device
It has substantial physical damage to the core.
A defective radiator can cause all sorts of problems, from decreased performance to complete engine failure. Here are some of the most common signs of a defective radiator:
Leakage of coolant. In most cases, it happens when there is physical damage to the core. In tubular core radiator type, damage in one pipe directly affects the cooling process of the radiator. The leakage can occur in other radiator parts such as the tanks, the inlet or outlet connection, and relative hoses.
Core tubes clogging. It could be caused by external agents that arrive inside the radiator. This problem is major when using a tubular core type. On the other hand, it also affects a cellular core type but only a small part of the total cooling surface.
How to Install a New Forklift Radiator?
A forklift radiator is a vital component of the forklift's cooling system, and it is important to keep it in good working condition. If your forklift radiator is damaged or leaking, it can cause the engine to overheat, leading to costly repairs. Fortunately, installing a new radiator is not an impossible task. With the right tools and a little bit of elbow grease, you can replace your forklift radiator in just under an hour. Take a look to this video and see how easy it is:
Disconect the hoses and unscrewing the bolts that hold it in place. Once the old radiator is out, you can insert the new one and reconnect the hoses. Finally, fill the forklift's cooling system with fresh coolant and bleed any air pockets that may have formed. With these simple steps, you can quickly and easily install a new forklift radiator.
Purchase Brand New Forklift Radiators at Lift Parts Warehouse
If you're in need of a high-quality replacement radiator, our online store is the perfect place to buy. We carry a wide selection of radiators and other forklift cooling parts from top brands: Nissan, Komatsu, Clark, Hyster, Toyota, and more.
So you're sure to find the perfect one for your needs. Plus, we offer competitive prices and fast shipping, so you can get your radiator replacement quickly and easily. Whether you're looking for a new radiator for your forklift or for a fleet of forklifts, our online store is the ideal destination. Browse our selection today and order the perfect replacement radiator for your needs. Thank you for choosing our online store!
Takeaways
The radiator receives the hot coolant from the engine and delivers it at a low temperature.
It is part of the forklift cooling system.
Its components are the upper/bottom tanks, a core, and a radiator cap.
When choosing the radiator, you must consider Dimensions, ports, construction material, and core pattern.
The most common radiator problems are coolant leakages and core tube clogging.
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