Forklifts are utilized to raise, engage and transport palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main types of lift trucks: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in a lot of cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and include features like backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into account consist of 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. Other specifications for forklifts include their fuel type and tire.
Forklifts consist of different fuel options like: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires utilized for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Additionally, this class uses cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like 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.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.