Heavy lifting vehicles are complex machines that employ hundreds of parts and dozens of systems. Despite the complexity of these machines, many vehicle owners neglect to learn how they work. Understanding basic operations such as how a starter works will grant you the ability to properly maintain your vehicle and diagnose any problems that may arise. Luckily, all starters work in the same way—a truck starter operates just like a forklift starter. With customer education in mind, the vehicle repair experts at Eubanks Auto Electric offer a brief tutorial on your vehicle’s starter mechanism.

A starter is comprised of half a dozen parts that work with each other to power the machine that holds them. The order in which these components operate is as follows: 

• Starter Motor Turns: The starter motor’s shaft carries a smaller gear wheel around a larger gear wheel before circling the rim wheel. This allows the engine to suck in fuel for compression.
• Ignition Key Activates the Starter Switch: The starter switch is responsible for activating the strong electric current your engine needs to run. This starter switch must be turned quickly, and you can activate it by inserting and turning the ignition key.
• Return Spring Controls the Switch & Rotation: The starter switch rod contains a return spring. This spring is designed to stop the starter motor once the required dose of electrical current is delivered.
• Clutch Activates to Prevent Engine Over-Speeding: Finally, a freewheel clutch (similar to those found on bicycles) activates to prevent the engine from over-speeding and wearing itself out.

While these are the basics of engine starter operation, there is much more complexity to the inner workings of this component. To learn more about how your vehicle works or to speak with an experienced engineer about repairing your truck, forklift, or ATV starter, call (903) 667-2081 or visit the Eubanks Auto Electric website for additional information.