Forklifts are utilized in warehousing, manufacturing, construction, mining and material handling applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 basic kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are complete with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and consist of features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the vehicle from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration 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 comprise their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for lift trucks comprise: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires need less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic 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. Normally, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units which are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III lift trucks are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Additionally, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are typically 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.
Class VII forklifts are the last classification and consist of rough terrain lift trucks, which are commonly utilized in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.