Forklifts are utilized within warehousing, manufacturing, mining, material handling and construction applications to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 main kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in lots of cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type which are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from tipping over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting forklifts, essential specifications to take into consideration consist of 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 forklifts comprise their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however 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. Typically, rider units could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III forklifts are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Additionally, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These machines would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts include all burden carriers and employee carriers.