Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, lift and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either manually powered or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many types of forklifts, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the driver. Fork trucks include features like for example cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Some kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other types of forklifts are offered with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors which are important to think about when choosing a forklift are the stroke and lift capacity. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and fully raised lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other important specifications that should be considered. The fuel choices available include: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, electricity, diesel, gasoline or propane.
There are two basic kinds of tires used for fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires provide less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are generally designed for use on rough terrain. These machines are usually used in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts frequently fit in this class.