Multi-stage mast for a forklift truck

A double-acting multi-stage mast for a forklift truck, comprising a three-stage telescopic mast having an outer mast section, a middle mast section, and an inner mast section, the outer mast section for attachment to the truck, the middle mast section slidably mounted on the outer mast section, a ram means extending between the middle mast section and the outer mast section for sliding the middle mast section on the outer mast section, the inner mast section slidably mounted on the middle mast section, an inner mast section lifting chain extending between the outer mast section and a lower end of the inner mast section passing over an associated first guide on the middle mast section, the first guide being at an upper end of the middle mast section, a fork carriage slidably mounted on the inner mast section, a fork carriage lifting chain extending between the middle mast section and the fork carriage passing over a second guide on the inner mast section, the second guide being adjacent an upper end of the inner mast section, an inner mast section lowering chain extending between the outer mast section and a lower end of the inner mast section passing over a third guide on the middle mast section, the third guide being adjacent a lower end of the middle mast section, and a fork carriage lowering chain extending between the middle mast section and the fork carriage passing over a fourth guide on the inner mast section adjacent the lower end of the middle mast section.