Forklifts are utilized to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads within manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main types of lift trucks: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are equipped with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different types of hand rails.
When selecting forklifts, important specifications to take into account consist of stroke and lift capacity. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major types of tires utilized for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts incorporate 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 lift trucks are electric motor units which are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III lift trucks 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 forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.