Lift trucks are utilized within warehousing, manufacturing, mining, material handling and construction applications to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 main types: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and comprise features like backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when selecting forklifts comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for lift trucks include their type of fuel and tire.
Forklifts consist of various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic types of tires used for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however provide great drive traction and load-cushioning.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units can have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These models offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models 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. Moreover, this class uses cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC 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 forklifts include all burden carriers and employee carriers.