Forklifts are utilized to raise, engage and transport palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic types of lift trucks: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machine with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In numerous instances, a protected cab or seat is part of the design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind that are motorized and consist of features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from tipping over, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other types of hand rails.
Essential specifications to take into account when choosing forklifts include lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts include: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and need less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of forklifts, Class I, is either stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units that are electric-motor rider trucks. Usually, rider units could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These kinds of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Additionally, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These equipment will have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which 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 perfect 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.