Lift trucks are utilized to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of forklifts: 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 lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and consist of features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from turning over, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different 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-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for lift trucks include: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and need less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand offer excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include 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 forklifts are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Class VII lift trucks are the last classification and consist of rough terrain lift trucks, that are normally utilized in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all employee carriers and burden carriers.