Plain-language definitions for the terms this site and this industry use, from load center to gradeability, each linked to the full guide.
Terms
| Term | Working definition |
|---|---|
| Load center | The horizontal distance from the fork face to the load’s center of gravity. Ratings assume 500 mm (600 mm on heavy trucks); longer centers derate capacity per the load chart. Guide → |
| Gradeability | The slope a truck can climb, stated as a percentage. The RT40 is specified at 30%. Guide → |
| Opportunity charging | Charging lithium batteries in short fragments during natural pauses in work, instead of one long scheduled charge. Guide → |
| LiFePO4 | Lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry — the type in Granvolt EP and ST packs, specified by cycle life rather than years. Guide → |
| Residual capacity | The capacity that remains after an attachment is fitted — its weight subtracted and the load-center distance it added. Guide → |
| ITA carriage class | The letter (I–V) grouping carriages and forks by mounting dimensions and capacity band. Guide → |
| Free lift | Mast travel available before the forks rise — the number that matters in restricted doorways such as containers and trailers. Guide → |
| Straddle stacker | A walkie truck whose legs reach under a standard pallet, letting it rack in aisles without counterbalance geometry. The ST20 lifts to 5,300 mm. Guide → |
| Walkie pallet truck | A pedestrian-operated powered pallet truck, such as the ST15 — the dock-lane and backroom workhorse. Guide → |
| Torque converter | A fluid coupling between engine and transmission that multiplies torque from rest — the DF30’s transmission type for yard duty. Guide → |
| Oscillating axle | An axle that articulates to keep wheels in contact on uneven ground — standard on the RT40. Guide → |
| TÜV Rheinland (battery system) | Third-party certification of the EP series lithium battery system, held alongside CE on the truck. Guide → |
Using this page
These are working explanations for buyers, not formal standards text. Where a term has numbers behind it, the manufacturer specification and load chart govern.
Each entry links to the guide that covers it properly; the full guide library lives on the blog index.
Send your duty cycle, loads and site conditions — engineering responds within 12 hours on average.
Cold storage, ports & heavy industry, construction and farms — scenario-first matching across the range.
Selection guides, comparisons and maintenance notes from the Granvolt engineering team.