Forklifts are utilized in manufacturing, warehousing, construction, mining and material handling applications to lift, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic types: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are complete with a motorized drive. In a lot of instances, a protected cab or seat is part of the design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different kind that are motorized and consist of features like backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machine from turning over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when selecting forklifts comprise 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. Other specifications for forklifts include their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise different fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major types of tires 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 provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These kinds of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III lift trucks are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this class uses solid or cushion tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Lastly, 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 lift trucks consist of all personnel carriers and burden carriers.