Forklift channels are the through slots at the cage bottom for tine entry; opening size, height, and direction directly affect whether the cage can be picked up easily. Poor channel design leads at best to tines that won't go in, at worst to a skewed pickup and cage tipping.
Common forklift channels are steel-section frames extending from both sides of the base frame, with opening height generally 100~120mm, and net width designed by tine thickness plus clearance. Standard tines are about 45~50mm thick and 100~125mm wide; recommend internal channel height of 105mm or more and 15mm clearance on internal width to avoid jamming when tines carry mud or ice.
Channel direction must be identified as bidirectional or unidirectional: bidirectional channels accept tines from either direction, suitable for general warehouses where aisle directions are not fixed; unidirectional channels are slotted only on the long or short side, lower in cost, but require forklift operation direction to match cage placement—random placement means no pickup.
The contact surface between channel bottom and tines must be flat with anti-slip pads; under full load, sliding tines cause offset load. Channel ends should have guide chamfers to help the driver insert on the first try. On acceptance, test with the customer's own common tines—smooth insertion/extraction and no cage lifting at one side means it passes.
Selection advice: first measure your own forklift tine thickness/width and common operating direction, then decide channel opening size and one- or two-way. Nanjing Tongnuo Warehouse Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. can open sample channels per customer forklift specs, avoiding on-site rework when tines won't fit.