Forklifts are used to raise, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic kinds of lift trucks: 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 lift trucks are complete with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and comprise features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration include stroke and lift capacity. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their fuel type and tire.
Forklifts consist of different fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Usually, rider units may have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts offer 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 often counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.