Our specialist team can help you to find a suitable forklift radiator according to your requirements and specifications. We know that sometimes it is difficult to find a specific radiator—lift parts warehouse ships radiators from 20 warehouses all over the USA. Buy new forklift radiator at low prices with quality guaranteed. We count with Quick Shipping and Delivery.
Summary
The following technical information allows the reader to know more about the radiator and its functioning within the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. Besides, you will find the selection criteria to acquire the correct replacement for your radiator and some tips about the common problems presented in this device.
To receive the hot coolant coming from the engine, and
To deliver the fluid at a low temperature.
Figure 1. Forklift radiator
In this way, the coolant can circulate again through the engine body. This device is found only in forklifts with an internal combustion engine. To know more about forklifts cooling systems, click here.
Radiator parts
Upper or inlet tank.
Core.
Radiator cap.
Bottom or outlet tank.
Figure 2. Radiator diagram
How a radiator work
As 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 drop could limit the entry of the coolant 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. Here, the fluid 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 towards 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 commonly used in forklifts: 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 correct radiator
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.
Figure 3. Radiator Aluminium core with plastic tanks
Core patterns: Radiator core can have a flat fin, corrugated fins (u or v type), or square wave. Depends 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.
Figure 4. Core patterns
Sign of a radiator problem
There is rust at the radiator.
Leakage coming from the device.
It has substantial physical damage to the core.
Common radiator problems
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.
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.
The consequence of a defective radiator is an engine malfunctioning and overheating. For this reason, it is essential to fix the problem once identified. Lift parts warehouse has a wide selection of forklift radiators OEM and aftermarket supply. Our team finds the solution to find a good quality radiator at a low cost.
Our suppliers are trusted and have been delivering quality radiators for over 60 years. Call us to ensure that this application fits your needs in stock items guaranteed same-day shipping when ordered by 2 pm EST.
