Forklifts are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement 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 to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and comprise features like for example backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element like for example a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting forklifts, essential specifications to take into consideration consist of lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks include their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts consist of various fuel options like: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand 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. Normally, rider units could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These kinds of forklifts provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machinery will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all personnel carriers and burden carriers.