Abstract: A fork lift truck having a "lazy tong" or "scissor-like" horizontal motion control system attached to the mast carriage which allows the load carried by the mast to be retracted from forward of the front wheels to between the front and rear wheels and to be extended in a reverse fashion. Also, two horizontally and vertically forward-extending outriggers are deployed independently of each other with consideration to the terrain, obstacles, the load and other factors to prevent the truck from tilting forward in response to a load on the tines while the tines are extended forwardly and the truck is not traveling.

Abstract: An improved fork lift truck having a scissor-actuated horizontal carriage motion system mounted on a horizontal frame. The carriage motion system providing for selectable positioning in a compact space of a lift assembly between a position forward of and behind the front wheels. The lift assembly provides downward pressure and is vertically moveable from and to a position which is below ground level and a further position above the level of the fork lift truck. The fork lift truck also provides a pair of outriggers which discontinue movement and remain stationary if they contact an obstruction, while the other outriggers continue to extend, the outriggers being moveable both horizontally and vertically relative to the remainder of the lift truck.