Forklifts are used to raise, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in a lot of cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another kind that are motorized and include features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Essential specifications to take into consideration when selecting lift trucks consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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.
Different fuel options for lift trucks comprise: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires utilized 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 provide less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated 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 may have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These types of forklifts offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These types 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 equipment would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all burden carriers and employee carriers.