Forklifts are used within manufacturing, warehousing, construction, mining and material handling applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic types: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the equipment with manual-drive forklifts.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are complete with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and comprise features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machinery from tipping over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing forklifts consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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. Other specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts include: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand offer excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units which are used for stock applications or order picking 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. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are typically 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.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII forklifts include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.