Forklifts are utilized to raise, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in numerous cases have a protected cab or seat in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and include features like for instance cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration include lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for lift trucks comprise their fuel type and tire.
Forklifts include different fuel options such as: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires used for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however provide excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These equipment will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.