Final answer:
Free lift is the upward distance a forklift's forks can move from the fully lowered position without increasing the mast height, important in tight spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'free lift' refers to the distance your forklift's forks can travel upwards from the fully lowered position without causing the second stage of your mast to increase in height. This is a critical concept for operations in areas with height restrictions, such as low ceilings or in containers. To explain with an example, if a forklift has a free lift of 60 inches, this means that the forks can move up to 60 inches above the ground without increasing the overall mast height, which can be beneficial when working in tight spaces where lifting height is limited.