Forklifts are utilized in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 main kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in a lot of cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and include features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the vehicle from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for example a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing forklifts, important specifications to take into consideration comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for lift trucks consist of their tire and type of fuel.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major types of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer great 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. Normally, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These types of forklifts offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Additionally, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.