Forklifts are utilized in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Forklifts 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 machine with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in numerous cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and comprise features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from turning over, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, important specifications to take into account consist of lift capacity and stroke. 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 consist of their type of fuel and tire.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires need less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Normally, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These kinds of forklifts offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have seated controls and cabs. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Moreover, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all personnel carriers and burden carriers.