Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in a variety of daily tasks in both warehouse and retail environments, such as lifting bulky merchandise, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The equipment are classified based on type of tire, kind of engine or motor, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all standard electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are often used to transport pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not need much space for operation. Class II trucks include forklifts with swinging masts and side-loading models.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
These trucks have engines similar to those found in automobiles. They come with either solid tires or cushion tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight to make the equipment more stable.
Both Class IV and Class V are usually counterbalance forklifts with internal combustion engines. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks utilize pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors which could raise heavy loads and pull loads weighing more than 450 kilograms. These trucks can are available with either an electric motor or an IC engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have IC engines and pneumatic tires, which are best used in rough terrains such as construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are great for worksites where the ground is uneven and rough and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by a person who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of burden and personnel carriers.