Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 basic kinds of forklifts: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in lots of cases have a protected cab or seat in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind that are motorized and include features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machinery from turning over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different types of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when selecting lift trucks consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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 forklifts include their fuel type and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units may 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 environments. These models offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of walk-behind or standing-rider 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 types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Moreover, 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. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the ideal 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.