Forklifts are utilized to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads within manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main kinds of forklifts: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and comprise features like for example backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, important specifications to take into consideration include 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 tire and type of fuel.
Forklifts comprise different fuel options such as: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires utilized for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however provide great load-cushioning and drive traction.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Additionally, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machinery would have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Class VII lift trucks are the last classification and consist of rough terrain lift trucks, that are normally utilized in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all employee carriers and burden carriers.