Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in various daily tasks in both warehouse and retail environments, such as lifting heavy product, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight forklift categories. The machines are classified based on type of tire, type of motor or engine, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all regular electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift include the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which are often utilized to transport pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not require much space for operation. Class II trucks comprise side-loading models and forklifts with swinging masts.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
These trucks have engines like those found in automobiles. They come with either cushion tires or solid tires. usually the back of the truck has a counterweight to make the equipment more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts since both have IC engines and are usually counterbalanced. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks come with pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors which can raise bulky loads and pull loads weighing more than 450 kilograms. These trucks can come with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
This class of lift truck has internal combustion engines and pneumatic tires. They are usually used in construction, logging and agriculture. These type of trucks are great for worksites where the ground is riddled with debris and is rough and uneven.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by a person who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of personnel and burden carriers.