Forklifts
In construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing operation, forklifts are usually used to transport and lift palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features like for example cabs, and backup alarms and are also motorized. Some models of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other kinds of forklifts are available with safety rails, or a rotating element like a turntable or a hand rail.
Other specifications that are vital to consider when selecting a forklift are the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other important specifications which must be considered. The fuel choices available include: natural gas, liquid propane or LP, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, propane, diesel or gasoline.
There are two basic types of tires used for fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires need less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires offer great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are normally designed for use on rough terrain. These machinery are often utilized in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts have all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks typically fit in this class.