Lift trucks are utilized within manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 main kinds: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in many cases have a protected cab or seat in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machinery from turning over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration 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 maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for forklifts comprise their type of fuel and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts include: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and need less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and may have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These equipment would have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, 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 electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.